Page 31 of Saved By Love at Christmas
He pointed a finger at the two of us. “It’s all your fault. All this early decorating lark. And as you’re coming to stay on Wednesday, I thought you could give me a hand putting them up. You are an interior designer, after all.”
We all laughed.
“Is it the only reason I’m invited to stay? You want me to make sure your house looks classy and not like one of those tacky Santa’s grotto things.”
He clutched his heart. “I’m wounded.” He tapped his finger on his chin. “But yes. You’re right.”
After placing some pots of pansies in my basket, we headed towards the back entrance to the inside of the shop. I gasped like I did every year. There were twinkling lights, glitter, tinsel, and the sounds of Christmas music coming from various ornaments.
An arm snaked around my shoulder. “It’s still magical even after all these years, isn’t it?”
Ben’s closeness and the warmth of his breath tickling the side of my face had my tummy doing somersaults. Grandad tried to pretend not to notice, but was that a small smile I saw on his lips as he turned to inspect some decorations?
I moved out of his embrace to pick up a tree bauble. “Yes, it is. It has a way of making me remember all the wonderful times I’ve spent at Christmas. That’s why this year is going to be amazing. I want to make up for last year.” I frowned as I thought about Jamie. He wasn’t a lover of the festive season.
“It will be, Rubes. The best ever.”
We strolled around the Christmas displays. Each one was a different colour: whites, greens, reds, blues, silver, gold, and more. All colour coordinated, which suited the interior designer in me.
I picked up a golden angel. “This will look great on the tree.” I held it up to the light, loving how much it twinkled.
The three of us spent ages going around all the displays, marvelling at what we found there.
“Damn,” said Ben as he glanced at his watch. “I didn’t realise I’d been here so long. I need to get back to the surgery.”
“Why don’t I choose some decorations for you?”
“I haven’t got any cash on me, only my debit card.”
I touched his arm. “It’s okay. Let me treat you. You’ve done more than enough to help with what I’ve been going through.”
He placed his hand over mine. “And I’d do it all over again. Anything to keep you safe, Rubes.”
His words sounded like more of a seduction. I tensed, thinking about how Jamie used to speak like that to me. Usually before he said something cruel.
“Hey, what did I do?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I… I had a bad memory.” Grandad had wandered over to where all the edible Christmas goodies were, well out of earshot.
“Jamie?”
“Yes. You spoke so sweetly to me just now, like you always do. Jamie used to speak like that to me. And for a minute, I’d believe him. Then he’d say something nasty.” I blinked back my tears.
“He had no right to treat you the way he did. That ass didn’t realise what an amazing woman he had in you. He’ll end up alone. It’s what he deserves.”
I thought he was going to say more, but Grandad came over, a basket full of all kinds of delicious treats in it.
“Are you feeding the whole town, Grandad?” I teased.
He looked sheepish and shrugged. “You should know better, love. I’m going to blame you for forcing me to come in here.”
Ben laughed. “Well, I don’t want to get caught up in a domestic. I’ll leave you two to it. Ruby, if I don’t see you before I’ll swing by on Wednesday to pick you up. I’ll have Fred with me if the weather’s good. I thought we could take a walk down to Martlesham Creek.”
My smile widened. “That would be great. I haven’t been back down there yet. Let’s hope the tide’s out so we can make it. Grandad, what time are you going?”
“I’m parking up at Norman’s, so I need to be there for eight.”
“Why don’t you come over about seven? I can fix us all some breakfast. That’s not too early, is it?” I don’t know why I asked that. Ben had always been a morning person, even when he was a teenager.
