My emotions were dangerously close to the surface tonight. My eyes burned with unshed tears as I gazed at my wife—the woman who had changed my life, and shown me how to truly live.
Her eyes widened at the sight of my tears, and she slipped my daughter out of my embrace and nestled her back into her safe crib. I held out my arms, and Alex climbed on my lap, fitting her body to mine, drawing my head to her shoulder.
“What is it?” She ran her fingers through my hair.
“Do you know what today is, Alex?”
“Tuesday?”
I chuckled and kissed her soft skin. Glancing up, I met her concerned gaze. “Three years ago, I arrived in this province with one intention: meeting with George to buy his property.” I smiled at her. “I walked into the Sleepy Moose Inn, and lost my heart instead.”
“You got what you came for,” she reminded me.
“I got a lot more than I expected. I fell in love with a bossy little slip of a woman who thought I was an ath-hole, but loved me anyway.”
She giggled at the memory of that first night. “You were rather bossy yourself.”
“I was lost. It was the only way I could deal with the world and nobody figured it out.”
She cupped my cheek, wiping the lone tear that had trickled down my face.
“You gave me everything, Alex. You showed me what love was. With you, I got a new life, a family, and for the first time in my life—I wasn’t alone.” I touched her lips with mine. “You are my life. Our family is my life.”
“I know.”
“I love you.”
She sighed and guided my head back to her shoulder. “I love you too, Dylan. We all love you.”
I held her close.
“You want to go back to bed?” she whispered.
“No.”
I felt her smile. “You want to go to the kitchen and have a snack?”
“Yes.”
“Noelle and I made your favorites this afternoon.”
I smiled at her. “Sugar cookies?”
She returned my smile. “You always feel better once you’ve had a little bit of Christmas sugar.”
I captured her mouth with mine, kissing her deeply.
I could taste her sweetness.
Feel her love.
She was the very best kind of sugar.
AS ALWAYS, I HAVE PEOPLE to say thank you to. I wish I could hug each and every one of you.
They are the ones behind the words that encourage and support. The people who make my books possible for so many reasons.
Deb and Lisa—you make my words flow. Thank you for all you do. Your thoughts, comments, and funny remarks make the process so easy.
My prereaders—thank you for loving Noelle and all your help. Your insights make my books better.
Flavia, thank you for your efforts and belief in my work. I appreciate all you do.
Karen, my wonderful PA and friend. There are no words—strange as that seems. You are such a gift to me and I am beyond grateful for all that you do—even if I don’t understand most of it. At least I keep you entertained.
To all the bloggers, readers, and especially, my review team. Thank you for everything you do. Shouting your love of books, posting, sharing—your recommendations keep my TBR list full, and the support you have shown me is so appreciated.
To my fellow authors who have shown me such kindness, thank you. I will follow your example and pay it forward.
To Christine—thank you for making my words look pretty!
Melissa—your covers make my books shine. Your teasers and banners are epic and the way you get my visions is astounding.
My reader group, Melanie’s Minions—love you all.
Matthew—you love me so completely, my world couldn’t exist without you. Thank you for all you do.
Into the Storm
Beneath the Scars
Over the Fence
It Started with a Kiss
My Image of You (Random House/Loveswept)
THE CONTRACT SERIES
The Contract
The Baby Clause
VESTED INTEREST SERIES
Bentley (Vested Interest #1)
Aiden (Vested Interest #2
Maddox (Vested Interest #3)
Reid (Vested Interest #4)
NEW YORK TIMES/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-eight-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
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Christmas Sugar ~ Melanie Moreland Page 16
