Page 76 of Mistletoe Season
“You are simply marvelous, Charlotte Edgewood.”
She gave her head a little shake and laughed. “This... this is just crazy, Arran. Guys don’t talk to me the way you talk to me.”
“Then they’ve not been the right guys.”
Her gaze found his again, searching. “Maybe.” Her lips pulled into a smirk as her eyes narrowed. “Or maybe you’re just trying to make up for leaving me all on my own at the Gala.”
“Oh, I’m staying.” His arms slipped around her waist. “I can’t have you thinking I’m a fair-weather prince.”
Her laugh warmed the air between them. “I think you’re proving much more than that.” She sobered. “But I’m serious: go be with your family. It’s the right thing to do. I... I’ll be okay.” She sighed. “Though I may video-call you during my speech so I can draw from your courage.”
“You have courage enough, darling. You only want confidence, but I am certain you will shine because you speak from your heart.”He squeezed her close. “Though I assure you I’ll take any excuse for a video call.”
They walked up to the large tree in the center of town where dozens of people were gathered, most in winter hats, children on their dads’ shoulders, young couples sipping warm beverages and cuddling close.
The mayor stood on a stand placed in front of the tree and proceeded to greet everyone, thanking them for coming to the fifty-second annual Christmas tree lighting in Ransom.
Charlotte pressed in close to his side. Her small frame fit so nicely there. Perfect, actually.
With encouragement from the mayor, the crowd began the countdown at ten.
Children jumped to chant the numbers, their eyes lit with anticipation.
Three... Two... One!
From bottom to top, the tree blazed alight, ending with an explosion of illumination from the massive star. The crowd erupted in celebration. Charlotte leaned her head against his chest with a sigh, and the feeling settled into his heart with certainty.
For the first time in a very long time, he made a Christmas wish.
That Charlotte Edgewood would believe in fairy tales again.
And that he would be her happily-ever-after.
Twelve
It had taken the entire Saturday.
But what an amazing Saturday.
Charlie relaxed in the driver seat of her truck as she and Arran began the trip to the Lindseys’ cabin, their final toy delivery stop. They’d spent a lot of time together over the past weeks, both in carpentry work as well as after hours. Her grin spread at the growing list of memories: lovely dates—from evening walks to cozy movie nights to candlelit dinners; wrapping all the gifts for the children; hanging out with her family. Arran even took special care to refine some of her dance moves.
Her whole body warmed at the thought.
Plus, dresses and heels were becoming a lot more common in her wardrobe, especially when they brought some admiration from her date.
Each passing moment made this crazy fairy tale more of a possible reality.
“I think you’d really enjoy Skymar,” he said as they turned up the long narrow road toward the Lindseys’. “Not only is it beautiful, but people there value family and the simplicity of life, just like they do in the Blue Ridge.”
She’d seen a few of Ellie’s photos of Skymar and even conducted a bit of research on the country herself. The landscape reminded her of movies set in England and Scotland. Breathtaking green hills andseas framed by craggy cliffs. Fields of sheep and jagged stone ruins rising into a cerulean sky.
All of it as seemingly unreal as dating a prince.
“It looks amazing.” She sent him a grin. “But I doubt that if I showed up over there, we’d hang out the same way as we do here.”
“Well, I’d likely not be doing stonework.” He tagged a wink onto the end of the teasing statement. “However, I am fortunate to live, if I choose, a little less in the spotlight than my elder siblings, so there’s a very good chance for typical dates, as well as some that aren’t so typical.”
“Like royal balls and meeting heads of state and...” She drew in a shaky breath. “Presenting in front of hundreds of people.”
