Page 99 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
When I don’t say a word, he approaches, scoops it out, and takes my hand, slipping the ring on my finger.
“How ‘bout it, Becca? You want to give it a go? I know I’m not much, but I love you more than life.”
I drop the box and cover my mouth. “Oh JJ, it’s beautiful. But I didn’t get you anything this big. I just bought you a stupid flannel jacket, so you’d match the town.”
His hands go to my waist to pull me against him, and he bumps my forehead with his. “Babe, you got me everything. You.”
I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and suddenly my eyes go wide. I move to the fireplace where I’d stashed my fortune fromour very first meal together at the Chinese restaurant. I take out the little slip of paper and read it, then my eyes lift to his. “My fortune came true.”
You will find your meaning for living.
“And I found you and this farm.”
JJ crosses the room and digs out the fortune cookie slip from the inside pocket of his cut and reads it.
“Well, I’ll be damned. My fortune came true, too.”
Your family will come to mean everything to you.
He lifts me up and spins me in a circle and then kisses me. “You’re my family, and you sure as hell mean everything to me.”
Buddy barks and jumps on us.
We laugh and break apart.
JJ stares at the two dogs and eight puppies. “I think we’re going to need to update our logo next year and add all these guys.”
“We’re keeping them all?” I ask, stunned.
He shrugs. “Why not? We’ve got the room. Besides, I’ve already thought of the perfect names. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.”
“You’re insane,” I say, laughing.
“But you love me, anyway.”
I do. I really do.
EPILOGUE
JJ—
It’s our second Christmas at the farm, and this Christmas morning there are eight puppies who have grown into adorable young dogs, plus their mother and father all lying around the fire, snoozing.
“This is for you, sweetheart,” I say, pulling a package from under the tree. My baby tears into it like it might disappear if she doesn’t get it open right away.
“What is it?” she asks.
I grin. “You’re going to have it opened before I can tell you. Damn girl, good thing I didn’t waste time with ribbons and bows. Not that I could do that fancy wrapping.”
She rips it open and pulls the cover off, then holds them up. “Leather chaps! Oh, my God, JJ. I’ve really, really wanted a pair! Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
“How do I put these on?” She holds them against her legs. Since it's Christmas morning and we just rolled out of bed, she’s only dressed in a tee shirt and panties.
“You don’t have any jeans on,” I state the obvious.
“So? I want to try them on.”
