Page 18 of Stitch's Mercy

“Brady! Are you okay?” I reached for the back of his head to feel for blood. “Baby, I’m so sorry.”

“Bring those lips over her, Mrs. Hayes-to-be.” He pulled me toward him and kissed me long and hard on the frozen pond. Best day ever, and it wasn’t even over yet.

6

Stitch

She’d said yes. Mercy Kolter agreed to marry me, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I wanted to call Bone and Hustler, and the rest of the Knights to share the news. They were the only family I had in the world… Until Mercy.

As I watched her hang an antique brass ball from my personal collection, on the five-foot tree I’d chopped down, I blinked away tears. My mom, Errika, would’ve loved Mercy. They were both sassy and hard workers, devoted to their jobs, and reliable. My mom had been a nurse, too.

Perhaps their similarities had been what had drawn me to Mercy. Although, they looked nothing alike, different hair and eye color, and my mom was a tall, five foot eight, thin woman. But they both had a kind spirit and passion for helping people.

“What do you think?” She beamed, admiring the finished tree. “I haven’t felt this happy in a long time.”

“It’s almost as beautiful as you.” I sidled up behind her and snaked my hands around her waist and put my cheek against hers.

“You’re so sweet. Thank you.”

“Happy looks good on you, sweetheart.”

“I owe it all to you. You didn’t give up on me like other guys.”

I stiffened. “What other guys?”

“You aren’t the only man I’ve been with, but you’re the only one I’ve loved.”

“Good answer.” I squeezed her and kissed her temple, feeling possessive and ready to kick the ass of any guy who touches my woman, going forward. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Did you fall out of love with Christmas after your brother’s death?” I was sure he had to be the reason Mercy had turned into a Grinch. I knew the pain of losing a loved one. When my parents had died weeks after Christmas, I had the Knight family to support me. Ben and Lady M had gotten me through the worst time of my life. Fortunately, I’d been well acquainted with the motorcycle club family. I’d been best friends with Micah and Levi since grade school, so it hadn’t been weird moving in with them. They’d become my family overnight, and as much as I loved Mercy, I couldn’t quit being a member of the Knight’s Legion MC. I just couldn’t…

“Yes, but not because of Noah. Christmas was his favorite holiday. He’d go all Clark Griswold putting lights on the house, so we’d have the brightest, most obnoxious place on the street. He’d literally save all his birthday money and would mow neighbors’ grass all summer long just to buy more lights. Noah was crazy about Christmas, and I’d get just as over the top as him.”

“How? How were you over the top?” I couldn’t imagine such a Mercy.

She twisted around in my arms to face me. “December first, I’d start wearing Christmas themed clothes and socks. I was the girl who wore red and green ribbons and bows in her hair, even as a teenager. I didn’t care what anyone thought about me. And believe me, I was teased and mocked.”

“People suck.”

“They do.” She shrugged and smiled. “I sort of enjoyed being the Christmas dork. But man, I loved being emersed in all-things Christmas. I even decorated my bedroom and had my own personal tree. Noah had bought for me when I was ten…” I still have it tucked away in my closet.

“So, what happened? Why’d you turn into the Grinch?”

“My mom happened. After Noah’s death and moving to Fargo, she threw away all our decorations, and we stopped celebrating. I was so devastated over losing my brother, I’d just gone along with her hating on the season. I knew the holidays reminded her of my brother and it made her sad.”

“But he wouldn’t want you to be sad and stop celebrating his favorite time of year.”

She swallowed thickly and a single tear rolled down her cheek. “No, he wouldn’t. In fact, I imagine he’d be furious with me for ending our traditions.”

Before things go too emotional and sad, I wanted to change the direction. “How about going forward we carry out your brother’s traditions in our own family? I’m pretty good at hang lights and being obnoxious.” I waggled my brows.

“You’ll let me have massive blow ups on the front yard?”

“Absolutely.”

“You’re amazing. But now I have a question.”

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