by Jody Holford
“You’re welcome. For it all. Now get dressed. Take that bag with you.”
Georgia eyed the bag. “What is it?”
“A blouse. It’ll go with anything. Skirt, jeans. Pretty much anything other than jogging pants. Thought you might like something new on Christmas. Fresh start and all that.”
She picked it up, took the tissue out of the bag. “Did you design it?”
“I did. Five years ago, I thought I was going to be a social worker. It takes a while sometimes, to figure out where you’re meant to be. Usually because we ignore what our heart is telling us.”
The flowing fabric was softer than silk. The deep blue color was rich. Beautiful.
“It’s from a new vintage line I’ve created.”
“It’s incredible.” The high collar was a nod to the vintage but the V neck and delicate buttons underneath it gave it a sexy vibe.
Georgia threw her arms around Kate. “Thank you. I love it.”
Kate hugged her back. “My pleasure. Guess whose favorite color is blue?
Georgia laughed. She was going to have a life here. Friends here. They were going to meddle in her business, she’d never have any secrets.
You’re going to be happy.
Chapter Nineteen
Cam studied the board, trying to find an open spot to fit his letters. His mind wasn’t on the Scrabble game. Even though thinking about Georgia made his chest physically ache, he couldn’t help himself. Had he overstepped? He thought about those minutes he’d known she was inside with her ex, the panic that had flared through his entire being. The relief when he’d seen her for himself. He’d gone over things in his head a dozen times. He wouldn’t change anything he’d done. If he had to choose between getting the girl and keeping her safe, her safety would win every time.
Because you’re in love with her. He was. But it was also because that’s who he was. He couldn’t stand around knowing someone he cared for was in danger and there was something he could do to protect them. The whole reason he’d become a cop was to make a difference.
“You okay, son?” His dad lifted his beer, took a drink.
Cam’s had gone warm. He was trying not to let his mood impact the day. They’d woken up at the cabin this morning, the way they had on Christmas day since he was a teen. All of the traditions that usually filled him with contentment had felt empty. More than ever, maybe because he’d finally found the one, he wanted someone to share these moments with. Someone with a prickly temper, a knack for making candy, and the most expressive eyes he’d ever looked into.
“Fine.”
A deep chuckle rumbled from his father’s chest. “Not like you to lie.”
Holiday music filled the room. His sister and mom were doing something in the kitchen while Cam and his dad played Scrabble. He stared at the board, trying to wrap his head around what he was feeling.
Before he could respond, his sister, Kelly, came into the room. She was still in holiday pajamas and even though she was turning twenty-six in a few months, she looked like a teen with her hair pulled up into a messy bun, her black glasses perched on her nose.
“You have a visitor.”
Cam’s heart stuttered. “What?”
She leaned in, put one hand by her mouth. “A visitor,” she said, drawing the word out by syllables. “A female one.”
Cam almost knocked the board over when he stood. His dad laughed. His sister stood in his way when he approached so he picked her up, set her aside. She laughed along with his dad.
When he went out on to the porch, a blast of cold air slapped him in the face. He looked to the right and there was Georgia, a pale blue cap pulled over her head, bundled in her puffy jacket, winter boots on her feet. She was rubbing her hands together, breathing into them.
His heart leapt. Despite the fact that it was cold enough to be snowing and he wore his own not-made-for-outdoors Christmas pajamas, heat rushed through him.
“Georgia.”
Her lips trembled slightly as they turned up into a smile. “Merry Christmas.”
He couldn’t stop staring at her. She was everything he wanted. “Merry Christmas.” He forced himself to stay rooted to his spot. For all he knew, she was coming to say she was leaving town. She may have come to say goodbye.
“I hope it’s okay to just show up like this. Maybe I should have texted or called.”
“It’s fine. Do you want to come in?” Please want to.
She shook her head. His heart cracked like ice.
“Not yet. I need a minute. I need to say something.”
Hope surged up, filling the gaps he’d felt in her absence. Georgia stepped closer to him, tipped her head back so their gazes were still locked.
“I mess things up. I’m stubborn and impulsive.”
His heart beat harder. “Okay.”
“I don’t do relationships because I don’t want to be hurt. I’ve chosen one idiot man after another. It’s never really mattered because I always planned on walking away. I mean, I didn’t purposely choose idiots but my radar was off, you know?”
He shrugged. “I guess.” He hadn’t chosen anyone because he was too damn shy to ask a woman out.
“Until you.”
“What?” The word came out like a sharp gasp.
Georgia stepped closer, put her hands on his waist. “I knew from the second I met you, you were different. It was terrifying to feel so much so fast. I tried to stop myself. Tried to block how I felt and that’s when I realized the difference.”
“What do you mean?” He didn’t touch her. Not yet. His hands were shaking. He knew once he touched her, he wouldn’t be able to let her go so he needed to be sure that’s what she wanted. But he felt her touch like a brand on his skin.
“I’ve been so scared that I was making another bad choice—falling for a sexy, shy cop who could have any girl he wanted.”
He huffed out a laugh, started to tell her the only one he wanted was standing in front of him.
She pressed closer, the move stealing his words and his breath. “I thought I could control how much I felt and then when it didn’t work out, there’d be minimal damage. But when you truly fall for someone, when you fall in love, it isn’t about just making a choice. It’s about needing you. Wanting you. It’s about my heart diving in before I was ready to acknowledge my feelings. Most importantly, it’s about realizing that I’d rather risk getting hurt by us ending than face the pain of not letting us begin.”
“I’m going to annoy you with my need to protect you,” he warned.
She shrugged. “Everyone has flaws. I’ve got a couple.”
The laugh burst out of his chest.
“I really will mess up,” she whispered.
“You think I won’t? I thought I already had so badly that I’d lost my chance with you.” His fingers dug in a little harder as he pulled her closer.
“I thought you deserved more. Better.”
“Better than the woman who makes me feel like I won the lottery when she smiles? More than someone who turns me on, makes me laugh, and challenges me?”
Her arms slipped around his neck. “For someone who claims to not be much of a talker, you have an impressive way with words.”
“I’m glad you think so. You’re the only one that’s ever been true with.”
She batted her eyelashes playfully. “Guess that makes me special.”
“You have no idea. But I plan to remind you just how special you are. How much you matter to me. And how perfect we are for each other.”
Her breath hitched. Their bodies aligned perfectly. He pressed his forehead to hers, needing the connection. Craving it.
“I’m sorry I looked into your past, into your ex, after you asked me not to.”
One of her hands cupped his jaw, her thumb stroking over the stubble. “Don’t be. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t.”
He didn’t want to think about that. He couldn’t. She was here now, with him, ready and willing
to take a chance even though she was scared. Cam wouldn’t dwell on what could have been. Instead, he’d focus on making her happy, showing her that what they’d have together was worth it.
He leaned back. “Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about spending Christmas with my family and I?”
An unusual shyness filled her gaze. “If you think that’s okay. I brought candy.”
He chuckled. “Of course, you did. And it’s more than okay. I want you here.”
Unable to wait any longer, he leaned in, kissing her, getting lost in the feel and taste of her. Her arms tightened around him, making him wish they were alone. But there’d be plenty of time for that. When he pulled back, she gazed up at him.
“I’ve never spent Christmas with someone’s family.”
“Then it’s a first for both of us because I’ve never invited anyone to spend it with mine.”
She slid her hand into his, took a deep breath. He squeezed her fingers, caught her attention.
“Relax. They’ll love you.”
She looked at the door then back up at him. “How can you be so sure?” She bit her bottom lip.
Pulling her hand up to his lips, he kissed her fingers, held her gaze. “Because I do.”
Epilogue
Five Weeks Later
Georgia was elbow deep in heart shaped molds, doing her best not to stress out. She had time. Lots of time.
Using her arm to brush a lock of hair off her forehead, she glanced over at Cam who was working at the computer she kept in her shop kitchen. He was pretty great with tech stuff so she’d put him on labelling duty.
“Does this town have a celebration for every little thing?”
He looked up from the screen. “What do you mean?”
“Come on. Light festivals, tree festivals, parades, and now a Valentine’s Ball? Really?”
The suckers she was making would be made into centerpieces and used as giveaways at the ball. The job gave her a huge influx of cash, so really, she shouldn’t be complaining.
Cam laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re a Valentine’s Grinch, too?”
She stretched her back, pulling her arms up over her head. She’d been at this for hours. “It’s not even a holiday.”
Cam pushed off the stool and came over to her, tugging her close while her arms were still in the air. “How can you be cynical about a day that celebrates love when you’re so desperately in love with me?”
Laughter bubbled up in her chest, spilling out. He did that often—made her laugh. Made her smile. Made her happy.
“Desperately, huh?”
He gave her a mock grimace, nodding. “It’s a little embarrassing actually. Fortunately for you, I find it cute.”
“Lucky for me, you do.”
“Exactly.”
He leaned in to kiss her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “It still doesn’t rate an actual celebration. I’m not sorry for the work, don’t get me wrong, but having a huge dance seems like a little much.”
“Kate’s sister, Lucy, started it. She likes to do fundraisers. So maybe it’s a bit much but it’s for a good cause. Usually, the single guys get auctioned off.”
Georgia narrowed her eyes. “To be clear, you are not single.”
Cam laughed, stroking strands of hair back from her face. “I’m pretty clear on that but I like hearing you say it. Especially with that little growly, possessive sound.”
She smacked his chest. He made her crazy. He was right about the desperately in love part. If she thought too hard about how much better he made her life, how happy he made her, the fear swallowed her up. They weren’t perfect. They fought, they made up. But every day, she felt like they were building something solid. Something that could last.
“Fine. You win. Since it’s for a good cause, it’s not too much. But let’s agree no presents, no sappy cards with cheesy clichés.”
“Aw. But I like cheesy cards. You know those ones with the cartoon bees that say, ‘Bee mine’?”
She groaned. “Don’t.”
“What about flowers? Is that okay?”
“I’ll kill them. Not on purpose but I suck at keeping them alive. Same thing with plants.”
“Hmm.” His brow furrowed.
“What?”
“I’m just rethinking my gift. I like my plants. I don’t want you wrecking them.”
Georgia didn’t need the sappy holidays or grand declarations but she had to admit, Cam made her want things she’d never let herself imagine before him.
“What does your gift have to do with plants?”
He stepped away, put his hands in his pockets. “Does it matter? You don’t want it anyway.” His gaze was full of amusement.
She pressed her lips together, fighting back the curiosity. Going for nonchalant, she shrugged. “I don’t. Just wondered what the connection was.”
Cam pulled one hand out of his pocket, extended it toward her but his fingers were curled into a fist.
“What’s that?” She eyed him warily, her heartrate kicking up several notches.
“The connection. And your gift.”
“It’s two weeks early. I don’t have anything for you.” She should have known he’d be a romantic, that he’d celebrate Valentine’s.
“I have what I want.” His gaze darkened, sending heat straight through her.
Yup. Total romantic.
“You want it?”
“It’s pretty small,” she said, mostly to alleviate her nerves.
Cam’s belly laughter delighted her. He had a great laugh. “Maybe on first glance but it’s bigger than you think.”
Georgia snickered, walking closer to him, touching his fist with her fingers.
“Okay. I want it.” She stared at his closed hand. After a few seconds, she looked up at him, her patience slipping. “Are you going to show me?”
“First you have to say you’ll be my Valentine.”
Georgia rolled her eyes. “Please don’t make me.”
He shrugged. “That’s the deal. Say it, you get your gift.”
Breathing in deeply, she said in a stiff, deadpan voice, “I’ll be your Valentine.”
Cam’s grin was infectious. “Aw. You’re so romantic, honey.”
“I’m going to stab you with a sucker stick if you keep drawing this out.”
What the hell could he be holding in his hand?
His fingers unfurled. A shiny, silver key sat nestled in his palm. Georgia touched the metal, looked up at him through her lashes.
“Is this…?”
“A key to my house? Yes. Full access to my plants? Also, yes. Move in with me, Georgia. I don’t care if we celebrate Valentine’s or any of Angel’s Lake’s silly festivals. I just care about waking up with you every day. Going to sleep beside you every night. Building a life with you.”
She picked up the key, her gaze glassing over with tears. She curled her own fingers around it pulled her fist to her chest, clutching the gift. Cam’s fingers stroked her cheek before he curled his hand around her neck, stepping into her space. Filling her space, her vision, her heart.
“Well?” She saw the nerves flickering in his gaze.
“I really will kill the plants,” she whispered.
“I’ll buy fake ones.”
She sniffled, laughed. “I love you.” It was scary, the first time she said it but now, this many weeks later, it was just the truth. It wasn’t so scary now. Because every day, he showed her how much he felt the same.
“I love you, too. Is that a yes?”
She nodded her head, the key tight in her grip as he wound his arms around her waist and lifted her off the floor.
Before she could kiss him, which she wanted to do before tears fell, he asked, “This means free candy for life, right?”
Smacking his shoulder, she shook her head, then gave it some thought. “Can you get me out of parking tickets?”
Cam laughed. “It’s possible.”
“Then I think we have a deal.�
�
Cam loosened his grip so she slid down the front of his body. “An excellent deal.”
She couldn’t agree more.
More from Angel’s Lake
Want more of Angel’s Lake?
Check out these other titles in the series.
Forever Christmas (a prequel)
Falling for Home
Falling for Kate
Turn the page for the first chapter of Forever Christmas, Anna Meyers’ story.
Forever Christmas - Chapter 1
Sam watched out his kitchen window as his new neighbor leaned an aluminum ladder against her front porch. Tiny, she was bundled like she was standing on the peak of Mt. Everest rather than her front lawn in Minnesota. Strands of hair were escaping from the hood of her puffy marshmallow jacket which was obviously designed by the Michelin Man. She engaged in a futile battle against the wind, swiping hair out of her face repeatedly. He smiled into his coffee while he leaned his hip against the counter.
She dragged a box, clearly marked “Christmas lights”, to sit beside her shiny staple gun. She disappeared around the side of the house, coming back with an extension tool that sported a hook on the end. “Pretty technical set up, Blondie.” As he poured his second cup of the day, he checked the calendar on his fridge where his sisters, when they dropped by, scribbled family activities he was expected to attend. He wasn’t wrong about the date: only a few days after Thanksgiving, making it less than a week since she’d moved next door. His own garage was still littered here and there with unpacked boxes, but he figured he’d move again one day, so why bother? As she bounced back and forth between her tools, arranging them close to the ladder, he figured she wasn’t the type to have unpacked boxes laying around for long.
He scratched absently at his bare chest while she faced the ladder with her hands on her hips. Hard to tell what kind of shape she had since she resembled a creampuff in that coat. Since her hood wouldn’t stay on, he could see that her blond hair was long, wavy and escaping the confines of her hair tie. He was enjoying the way she seemed to be plotting her plan of attack. Finally, she nodded at no one and picked up the extension rod, a string of lights and moved to the ladder.
