Page 45 of Frostbite & Mistletoe
The next few minutes passed quickly as Kymberlie’s staff finished setting up while Maggie and Gabriel circulated through the crowd, spreading the word about Kymberlie’s imminent arrival.
Then Gabriel’s phone buzzed with a text from Tyler, who was posted outside the club’s front door:I see her truck. She just turned off the highway.
Gabriel’s heartbeat quickened. He bounded onto the stage and grabbed the nearest microphone.“Kymberlie’s almost here. Everyone, please take your places!”
A hush fell over the crowd as the club lights went out. Conversations dropped to whispers, and anticipation charged the air. Gabriel positioned himself near the entrance, wanting to see Kymberlie’s face the moment she realized what was happening.
I hope she doesn’t hate me for doing this.
The front door swung open, and Tyler escorted Kymberlie inside. Her long blonde hair was loose over her shoulders. She wore jeans, boots, and a black knitted sweater that made her eyes seem even bluer than usual.
Gabriel’s chest ached to see her beautiful features etched with worry.
“Why are the lights off?” she asked as she and Tyler walked in.“Did the firefighters cancel their party?”
Then she halted abruptly as her shifter senses informed her of all the people waiting for her, along with the food and drinks.“What’s going on here?”
Gabriel rapidly flipped the bank of new switches on the wall next to him. As the lights came up, he watched, heart in his throat, as her expression transformed from stressed determination to blank confusion.
“What the hell…?” Kymberlie whispered, taking in the crowd, the decorations, the banner stretched across the back wall proclaiming“THE HAIR OF THE DOG GRAND REOPENING.”
“Surprise!” called dozens of voices in unison.
Gabriel couldn’t tear his eyes away from her face as realization dawned. Her lips parted, her eyes widened, and then—wonder of wonders—her eyes lit up and her mouth stretched in an incredulous, radiant smile.
Her gaze found Gabriel.
“You did this?” she asked him, her voice barely audible over the chord of Rob’s band starting up.
“Not alone,” Gabriel said.“Maggie, Tyler, your staff, your family—everyone wanted to help.”
Kymberlie’s gaze swept across the club, taking in her staff members behind the bar, the town’s residents chatting and laughing, the buffet tables groaning with food.
Her eyes lingered on Bill and Mandy Jacobsen standing with her parents next to the Christmas tree. The four of them grinned and waved at her.
“I don’t understand,” she murmured, even as her eyes grew suspiciously bright.“How did you—whendid you—?”
Gabriel slipped his arm around her, relieved at how well she was taking the surprise.“After your wedding reception was canceled, Maggie and I got to talking. The whole town’s been worried about you.”
“The whole town knows I’m going broke.” Kymberlie’s generous mouth set in that maddening, stubborn line he knew all too well by now.
“The whole town knows you’ve poured your heart and soul into this place,” he corrected.“And they want you to succeed.”
Kymberlie’s parents hurried over, steaming mugs of mulled wine clutched in their hands.
“You’ve done a great job with this place, Kymmie,” her dad said, handing one orange-and-spice scented mug to Kymberlie.“I know I wasn’t very encouraging when you told us you were buying the club, but you’ve worked miracles here.”
“Really?” Kymberlie couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Her mom handed the other mug to Gabriel, then hugged Kymberlie.“Of course, honey. We’ve always had your back. We just didn’t want you to make a big mistake. I’m happy we were wrong about that.” She shook her head.“I only wish you’d come to the pack earlier for help.”
“I didn’t think our alphas would want to throw good money after bad, once Gabriel and Tyler discovered how many things were wrong with this place,” Kymberlie confessed.“I thought you’d say,‘We told you so.’”
“No!” Mom protested.“Why on earth would you think that?”
Dad cleared his throat uncomfortably and looked away.“I should’ve had more faith in you, sweetie.” His voice sounded gruff.
“You always judge yourself more harshly than anyone else ever does,” Mom added.
