Page 77 of His Christmas Wife

She glanced toward the house. Three dogs had pressed their noses through the openings in the fencing.

“Shelties. Spoiled as hell.”

A woman stood on the porch, waving.

Nerves assailed her again.

As if he were perfectly in tune with her, he reassured her. “You’re going to do fine. Trust your instincts.” He took her hand and led her to the gate.

Once she and Frost were on the property, their excited welcome drained away all her tension. No wonder the pups were spoiled. They were excited and so beautiful with their gleaming coats. They each wore a collar decorated with reindeer and wreaths.

One of the tail-wagging enthusiasts jumped on Frost. “Hello, Winnie.” The animal’s head lolled to the side as he scratched behind her ears.

“Sorry!” the woman on the porch called out. “She usually behaves better than that.”

“Don’t listen to Gran.” Frost’s eyes danced with devilment as he looked at Kaylee. “Winnie does what she wants, and if you’re not looking, she climbs up onto the furniture.”

She laughed. “I’d let her get away with anything.”

Before she and Frost could make their way to the porch, Ophelia clapped a couple of times and instructed the pups to “Hush.” Regally she descended the steps. Her shoulder-length hair framed her face, and she’d dressed in a gold blouse and tailored black slacks. Her smile was wide as she looked at Kaylee. “Welcome, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.”

Kaylee was swept into his grandmother’s genuinely warm embrace.

“It’s about time I met you.”

“The pleasure is mine…” Suddenly she wished she’d asked Frost how she should address his grandmother. Afraid of making a faux pas, she added, “Mrs. Delaney.”

“It’s Kaylee, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She nodded.

“Please, call me Ophelia. Welcome to the family.”

Kaylee went still, and her face heated. She’d known their act might be difficult to pull off, but being swept into Frost’s lie was even more of a challenge than she expected. “I…”

Smoothly he stepped in. “It’s still a little new to us.”

“Mmm.” Ophelia’s reply was noncommittal. “I can’t wait to hear all about the wedding.” Then she offered her cheek to her grandson for a kiss. “My Christmas is now complete. Please come in, both of you.” Then she told her pups to settle down, which they didn’t.

The foyer of the stately manor was every bit as stunning as the outside. Not a single detail had been overlooked when it came to decorating for Christmas, including the soaring, brightly lit tree that had to have been at least twenty feet tall and brushed the ceiling.

“The flowers look beautiful,” he observed, glancing at the tables as he took Kaylee’s coat and hung it from a metal rack on the wall.

“You don’t have to send me a dozen arrangements every year, you know. But I appreciate it.”

Frost had been that thoughtful?

“May I offer you an aperitif?” Ophelia suggested, leading them into a parlor, the dogs trailing behind.

This room, too, had a massive Christmas tree. How many more were there?

“Wine? Prosecco? A spritzer? Perhaps a sherry? Chef is planning to serve dinner at six.”

Chef?Kaylee glanced at her supposed husband who merely shrugged.

“In the meantime, we have appetizers.”

“Don’t eat too many of them,” he warned, “because I’m betting the meal will be something special.”

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