Page 32 of Chloe's Christmas Escape
“Please always get stuck in something.” Chloe grabbed a pillow, swinging it against his middle with all her might. He dodged it easily and stepped back. “Seriously, rescuing you from quilts and your dresses is good for my spirit.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Sometimes.” He kneeled at the edge, and she hurried to sit up, her hands twisting in her lap. “Chloe Masters, I’m a terrible husband. I can do better. Would you do me the honor of being my Christmas bride in front of my friends and family?”
“Yep.”
“Yep?”
“Yep.” Leaning forward, she let her hands drift up to cup his face. “You are a terrible husband, but I’m not a noble wife. I would love to be your Christmas bride.”
She leaned in, feeling the warmth of his skin as their cheeks brushed. Her heart raced, and she closed her eyes, waiting for when their lips would meet. But then, just as she was about to kiss him, he tilted his head down and her mouth met only with the tip of his nose. She paused and smiled mischievously before gently chomping down with a teasing noise.
He pulled back, laughter sparkling in his eyes. “Hold still, Mrs. Masters, and let me kiss you properly.”
Reaching her hand behind his head, Chloe pulled him towards her and let him do just that. They could wait to pack.
Epilogue
Christmas Eve, Sterling, Colorado
Chloe stood near the window of her room; eyes fixed on the snow that had blanketed the sprawling fields of Sterling. As Chloe stood near the window of her room, her breath fogged up the glass while she watched in awe. She knew soon people would enter her room to help her get ready, replacing this pre-dawn peace.
Jackson’s room in the boarding house was on the other side, away from the bride-to-be. Tradition said it was bad luck for them to see each other before the wedding.Nobody seemed to remember that they were already married.
She loved his friends more for that.
The burgundy gown that she’d found in his mother’s closet would be the biggest surprise today. She wasn’t going to wear white, though she still could at this point. When she’d first found it in the closet while they were gathering items to pack at the house, she stared at it and stroked the fabric. The temptation was too great, and she had to try it on.Who found gowns that beautiful and left them to wither away in a closet or to be eaten by moths?
It showed no signs of damage and fit perfectly. There had even been a white stole hanging with it. Memories of Nollaig, or Irish Christmas, coursed through her mind. Her mama made matching dresses for her and Aubrey to wear every year. Lovely red or burgundy dresses with lace or fur trim and a white wrap. Mama still had those dresses stored away somewhere.
Peace settled inside her when she found Mrs. Masters’ dress, and Chloe carefully folded, rolled and packed it away in her satchel, knowing that Jackson wouldn’t accidentally come across it.
Chloe heard a light tapping at the door and nervously pulled it open to find Emily Easton standing with Amanda and Mama Holstead, and Winnie Landry. Mama Holstead smiled warmly, reminding Chloe that they were all family now and she needn’t call her Mrs. Holstead. Chloe blushed and stepped aside to welcome them in.
“Where are the children?” Chloe noted Emily and Amanda’s empty arms.
“With their fathers,” they laughed at the same time and stepped forward to hug her.
“Are you ready to get married today?” Amanda spoke. It was clear she was the leader of this group.
“I’m already married.”
“You know what I mean.” Amanda moved into the room, noticing the dress on the bed. “This is wonderful! Let’s hurry and get her to the church before the snow is too deep.”
“Isn’t it right next door?” Chloe whispered to Winnie.
“Mmm,” Winnie murmured. “But don’t let her hear you say that. I’m pretty sure she’s after the cake.”
“Is there going to be a cake?” Food had not been something she was thinking about when Reverend Martin agreed that a church service would feel different from a simple marriage by legality.
“Of course, there’s going to be cake.” Emilytskedfrom where she was standing by the door. “Into the dress with you. There’s also a casserole.”
Not arguing any further, Chloe stripped out of her housecoat and pulled the dress down over her head. This was much easier than trying to step into it with her crinoline on.
“I’ve got the buttons,” Amanda announced, tugging the dress into place, her fingers moving quickly up the row of beads in the back.
“Lift your foot,” Winnie prompted before sliding a woolen stocking up one, then the other leg.
