Page 80 of His Christmas Wife

Ophelia’s eyes twinkled. “According to you?”

His response was dry. “Who else’s opinion matters?”

“Clearly your wife’s if she won that battle.”

“She did.”

“So did I,” Ophelia confessed. “Frederick—Evan’s grandfather, God rest his soul—wanted me to wear his mother’s ring. I wanted my own. I’m glad you stood your ground, Kaylee. For something you’ll wear every day, it’s important you like it.”

She forced a smile. If the marriage was real, she’d love the setting. Frost took another sip before standing once more and crossing the room toward the tree. At around twelve-feet tall, this one was much shorter than the one in the entryway.

All three dogs followed his movement, their tails thumping on the hardwood floor.

Crouching, he picked out the bag for his grandmother, then walked it over to her. “From Kaylee and me.”

First she opened the card and read it, then gave a small smile. “What a beautiful sentiment. Thank you both.”

Kaylee leaned forward curiously, wondering what Frost had chosen.

Ophelia blinked when she held up a black card from the Maison Sterling. “That’s quite the extravagance, young man.”

“You deserve it.”

“It’s a very generous gift.” She tucked it back into place. “It will certainly cover more than one day at the spa.”

“Or perhaps a spa and an overnight stay?” he suggested.

“Even better.” She placed everything back where she found it before saying, “If you don’t mind, there’s one each for you and Kaylee under there also.”

“Of course.”

She was flabbergasted that Ophelia had even considered her when planning for Christmas.

Once again, Frost crouched near the tree and drew out two boxes, labeled with each of their respective names.

He brought them over and placed them on the coffee table, then turned to Kaylee. “Would you like to go first?”

“I think you should,” she answered, watching him.

After rejoining her on the couch, he pried the lid off his. Abruptly he went still, and a pulse throbbed in his temple. “Is this what I think it is?”

Ophelia nodded. “It is.”

He gently lifted the gold pocket watch from its velvet cushion,

As he did, Kaylee caught a glimpse of the intricately designed owl engraved on the front.

Speechless, he met his grandmother’s gaze.

“It belonged to your great-great-grandfather.” Ophelia’s voice was filled with emotion. “It gets passed down when the oldest son is married.”

“But it was never given to my father.” Evan’s voice was barely a whisper.

“If he’d been worthy, it would have been, even though he isn’t a direct descendant. But since your grandfather and I had no sons, we saved it for you.”

“I’m…touched.”

For the first time since Kaylee had known him, Frost’s fingers shook.

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