Page 69 of Saved By Love at Christmas
Shortly afterwards, the officer left. I sat on the sofa in the living room between Ben and Grandad. I couldn’t believe that a tub of frozen rhubarb had brought this bully down. In my mind, I saw the tub sail through the air, hitting him with a loud thud. Laughter bubbled up inside me at the ridiculousness of the situation. Both men looked at me as if I’d grown two heads, and then the laughter turned to cries.
“Hey, hey. It’s all going to be okay. He’s been arrested now. When the UK police are done with him, he’ll face the Spanish authorities,” Ben assured me.
“He’s right, love. That man isn’t going to see the light of day for a very long time.” Grandad patted my head.
“I guess we have you to thank for his capture, Grandad.”
He scratched his head. “How did you work that out?”
“If you hadn’t sent me for the frozen rhubarb, he might have been lurking around here for days.”
All three of us laughed, relieved that the ordeal was finally over.
* * *
BEN
It was Christmas morning at the James’s house, and I was still spooned up against Ruby. The clock on the bedside table said it was just before six. A smile spread across my lips as I reflected on the fun we’d had yesterday. Ruby had made Christmas stockings for us and Fred which were hung above the fireplace, loaded with lots of little treats.
We all helped to prepare the things for today’s Christmas dinner while singing carols, very offkey. I blamed it on the strong punch Tom had made. I was certain he added a little more of the ‘strong stuff’ to it when we weren’t looking. After the huge buffet, we all slouched in the living room with full bellies, sleepy with contentment. It was times like those that I cherished.
Ruby stirred in my arms, wriggling against me.
“Morning. Happy Christmas, Ben,” she murmured in a sleep-filled voice as she turned to face me.
“Merry Christmas, beautiful.”
I pressed my lips to hers, and as the kiss became a little heated, she pushed away from me.
“Tease,” I growled.
“We need to get up and dressed.” She got out of bed, completely naked. I groaned and covered my eyes.
“If you’re not going to let me make love to you, will you please cover yourself?”
She grabbed her dressing gown and put it on.
“Do you smell that?” she asked, eyes closed and smiling widely.
“Yes, I can.”
It was the scent of turkey roasting slowly in the aga.
“It always reminds me of Christmas.”
I smiled. “Me too.”
After getting showered and dressed, we headed downstairs, where Tom was already in the kitchen.
“I swear you sleep down here, Grandad.”
Tom turned to smile at his granddaughter. “Happy Christmas, you two.”
“Happy Christmas, everyone.” Marie stood behind us, beaming.
Fred started whining and ran to the living room, barking his head off. It seemed even our canine companion was excited for the day.
* * *
