Page 18 of Run, Run Mistletoe
But he doesn’t say it with anger. Just sighs and I know that he’s not mad.
Val loves him. I can tell. Just like I do. Just like Velvet will.
I can almost see our future now and for once, the picture in front of me doesn’t make me tired. Doesn’t make me cringe or cry.
I’ve finally found my partner. The one who can help lift me up when I’m sad.
The one that will move heaven and earth to protect me and Velvet.
I didn’t think it was possible. Didn’t think I wanted a man.
But then again, I hadn’t met Frankincense yet.
Sometimes it just takes the right man to change your mind. He tugs me up the stairs and I smile and laugh when he looks back at me. My whole body tingles with joy and happiness.
And the sound of bells coming from the barn.
EPILOGUE: FRANKINCENSE
“Ican’t believe that we just did this.” Misty smiles up at me as we dance under the stars on a makeshift stage with snow piled all around it. There’s a little trail that’s been cleared but all of that snow wasn’t going to be moved.
“Did what?” I twirl her under my arm and smile at her as she giggles back at me.
“Got married. At Christmas!”
“I told you that I’d get it all planned.”
She glances down at her gown and runs her palm lightly over the pale pink silk gown with embroidered flowers on it in bright, pretty jewel purples and pinks and corals. It dusts the floor and has a sweetheart neckline which is covered with a white faux fur so that she doesn’t catch a cold.
She looks like a princess and I swallow roughly. “I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as you are tonight, Mrs. Monroe.”
She smiles and it lights up her pretty blue eyes, brightens her lovely face as she flushes delicately. “You’re just saying that cause you married me.”
I huff and spin her out and pull her back in so that she’s resting on my chest. “I’m saying it because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“You need glasses.”
“And you need a mirror. Luckily you’ve got me as your mirror and I can tell you that nobody is more perfect than you are.”
I stumble when something butts me from behind. Spinning I catch sight of Val in the middle of the floor and she paws at the stage.
“Oh no, you don’t. I know exactly how to fix you.” And before the little goat can say boo, I whistle and another little goat, this time a male, comes running. He immediately head butts her and she bleats at him, glaring at me.
“That’s right,” I laugh. “I’ve got you your own man. Er, goat.”
She prances around and ignores him but he just keeps on trying to impress her, darting in front of her.
Misty leans her head on my chest and smiles up at me. “Always trying to fix things, huh?”
“It’s what I am.”
She giggles and we watch as Velvet chases after both little goats, her little white tights already ripped and dirty.
“She’s gonna be a handful. I hope you know what you signed up for.”
I lean down and kiss her gently. “I’ve never been more sure. You two are my home. Together…we’re gonna run this town.”
She grins back at me and rolls out in a spin, her eyes glowing in the dancing lights. “Promises, promises, Mr. Monroe.”
