Page 50 of Darla's Christmas Knight
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Bobby surveyed the spectacular scene of the main hall. It was even more festive than the foyer. Long tables covered in white linens, trimmed with holly and tinsel, filled the room. Decorations hung in clusters from the ceiling, and garlands connected them in a cheery web. One corner showcased a second taller Christmas tree, and "Little Drummer Boy" played softly in the background. Along the walls, food stations awaited guests, and the tempting aroma of the spread was even more pronounced here.
Darla’s stomach rumbled.
Bobby chuckled. “Hungry?”
“Starved.”
He suddenly stopped and pulled her against him. “Look up,” he whispered.
She did. Mistletoe dangled above them.
“Can’t miss an opportunity to kiss my woman,” he said a beat before his mouth claimed hers. Ah, kissing Darla was one of his favorite pastimes, but feeling her melt into his arms without reservation, knowing she was his for the rest of their lives … sheer bliss.
“Mister Bobby!”
With reluctance, he lifted his head and looked to the side. A young girl stood a short distance away. It was Mia, the child whose knitted toy he had found after the tornado.
“Hello, Mia,” Bobby said, crouching to accept her hug.
“You’re sitting with me. Mommy said so.”
“Well, isn’t that just grand, Mia.” He stood and ruffled her hair. “Now you can show us the way. Do you remember Nurse Darla?”
With a shy smile and a quick nod, Mia looked at Darla.
“Hi, Mia.” Darla gave a little wave with her fingers.
“I saw you kissing,” she said, cocking her head. “Are you Mister Bobby’s girlfriend?”
“Even better,” Bobby replied. “Nurse Darla is going to be my wife.”
A man stepped up behind Mia and placed his hands on her shoulders. Smiling warmly at the two of them, he said, “Congratulations. You’ve have been the talk of the town. I am Seth, by the way. Mia’s father.”
“What do you mean, ‘talk of the town’?” Darla asked, taking the words right from Bobby’s mouth.
Seth cocked his head. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” they cried in unison.
The man grinned. “There’s been a betting pool about when Bobby will pop the question.”
Darla gaped at Seth. “Seriously?”
“Bollocks,” Bobby whispered beneath his breath. Love it, hate it, that’s small-town life for you.
They reached their table, and judging from the sly grins on everyone’s face, they were the topic of conversation. “They’re engaged!” Seth announced.
The table erupted in whoops and congratulations, and they accepted the well-wishes with hugs and kisses and good-natured backslapping. Bobby pulled out a chair for Darla, and as she brushed past him, he breathed in the alluring scent of vanilla and flowers that clung to her, and a sense of peacefulness settled over him.
But it was more than peace.
Something magical was taking place.
Maybe it was because it was Christmas.
Or maybe it was because the woman he loved beyond measure sat beside him wearing his ring on her finger and growing their child in her belly.
