Page 38 of Trussed In Hope
Emberlynn opened the box, and her gasp made me second-guess my gift.
“It’s beautiful!” She threw her arms around my neck and kissed all over my face.
“Do you even know what it is?” I laughed around her kisses.
“Yes, it’s one of your dog tags. Plus, a heart locket engraved withQueen.”
I flipped it to the back so she could read the date there. It was the day we met.
“Will you put it on me?”
I put the thick white-gold omega necklace around her neck with the two charms resting perfectly together.
“It’s perfect, King.”
“Yes, you are, Queen.”
I pulled her into my arms, where we stayed, making out, and just enjoying each other. I knew we’d both made the right choice by meeting here. Even better, choosing Love Catered was the best decision we’d ever made. It brought us together, and I couldn’t picture living my life any other way.
This was meant to be.
Hardison and Emberlynn.
It had a nice ring to it, if I must say so. A King and his Queen.
The scent of pine and cinnamon greeted us as we stepped into the dining room. Raya had outdone herself: a roasted turkey with golden skin, mashed potatoes whipped to clouds, cranberry sauce glinting like rubies, and pies stacked high on the counter. Twinkling lights reflected off the windowpanes, and soft Christmas music hummed from a speaker in the corner.
Elijah was already at the table, carving the turkey with a precision that would have impressed any military drill sergeant. Raya, radiant even at seven months pregnant, set down platters with careful hands and a warm smile.
“Hardison,” she said, her voice gentle but teasing, “finally made it out of that rehab of yours. We were worrying you’d disappear into the barn for the rest of the week.”
“I can’t risk losing my Queen,” I said, glancing at Emberlynn. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she shot me a look that said she knew exactly what I meant.
Tia, perched at the far end, next to Callum with a grin. “Look who finally showed up! Don’t be shy, cowboy. I had heard good things about you, but wondered if it was a tale people around here told — that the foreman here was somebody named Callum.”
Callum laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m not shy. Just… respectful.” He glanced at Emberlynn and me, catching the silent charge between us, and raised a brow.
“Respectful is good,” Tia said, wagging a finger. “But don’t betoorespectful. We’ve got a holiday to celebrate, not a funeral.”
I slid into my seat next to Emberlynn, pulling the chair out for her like some absurd old-fashioned gesture. She smirked and let me, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“So,” Raya said, lifting her glass, “let’s make a toast. To family, friends, and finding our way home—even if it’s a little messy along the way.”
“Cheers,” we chorused, clinking glasses.
The meal flowed with laughter. Raya nudged me to try the stuffing, which was ridiculously good. Elijah regaled us with stories from the ranch, embellishing the more absurd details until Tia nearly choked on her water laughing. Callum tried to keep up, but Tia kept goading him into one more story.
Emberlynn leaned in close, her hand brushing mine across the table. “You’re not letting him get away with talking your ear off, are you?” she whispered.
I smirked, fingers tightening just slightly around hers. “Not a chance. You’ve seen how insistent he can be.”
She chuckled softly, eyes glinting. “Good. I like a man who keeps me on my toes.”
“Lesson learned, Queen,” I murmured back, letting the weight of the title linger between us.
After dessert—Raya’s pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—I caught Tia leaning toward Callum, whispering conspiratorially. Emberlynn’s eyes flicked to them, then to me, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
“You’re enjoying this too much,” I said, nodding toward Tia.
