Golden Christmas

by Helen Scott Taylor

  "Vicky?" He angled his head, listening for her.

  "Right here. I'm holding Jessie, but Honey definitely knows she's here. Hey, Honey, girl, we have a new friend for you. Marcus, will you put Honey on her lead before I let Jessie get down?"

  "Of course." His brother moved away, and Jonathan had that odd feeling of isolation when he knew people were close, but he wasn't sure exactly where.

  Vicky must have noticed his discomfort because she said, "A few yards in front of you, Jon. Step forward."

  He did and felt her reassuring touch on his arm.

  "I'm going to squat down with Jessie," she said.

  He hunkered down as well and reached out to touch Vicky's arm. Sliding his hand down, he found Jessie wriggling in Vicky's grip, eager to get away.

  "What's Honey doing?"

  "Watching Jessie. Her tail's wagging and she's interested. I'm letting Jessie move closer to touch noses."

  A high-pitched yap made Jonathan jump, and he laughed.

  "Jessie's jumping around Honey and trying to grab her ear."

  Another succession of puppy barks, and Marcus and Vicky both laughed. It was so frustrating not being able to see.

  "Oh, Honey. What's this fur ball doing to you?" Marcus said.

  Jonathan pictured the scene. "Is Honey off her lead?"

  "I'll let her off now," Marcus said. The snap of the clip on Honey's lead sounded, and the volume of puppy barks increased. "Honey's coming straight to you, and Jessie's on her heels."

  Honey rubbed against Jonathan's side and he stroked his dog, the familiar feel of her sleek fur making him smile. She squeezed between his bent knees and sat down, obviously hoping for protection from the young upstart.

  "Incoming," Marcus shouted, and a lively bundle of fur hit Jonathan's shin. He put a hand to the wet grass to steady himself.

  "Whoa." Vicky intervened, her hair brushing his cheek, her enticing fragrance tantalizingly close. Then both dogs were gone and so was she, the sound of rough-and-tumble play and puppy grumbles and play growls nearby.

  "They sound like they're having fun." He stood up when his thighs started to object to crouching.

  "Honey's getting used to her now." Vicky returned to his side and took his hand.

  As Jonathan listened to the sound of the dogs playing, he remembered his promise to Shelly.

  "Hey, Marc. Shell's got one pup left. You could have her."

  His brother's footsteps jogged closer and he blew out a breath. "I'd love to, but Gabby doesn't like dogs."

  Gabriela made it her business to dislike everything Marcus liked. It made Jonathan furious.

  "A dog would be good for you. You could take her for long walks, then you wouldn't need to keep borrowing my dog all the time."

  He kept his tone light and joking, but he was deadly serious. A dog would be the perfect companion for Marcus. He needed some unconditional love in his life.

  "The little black girl that's left is a sweetie," Vicky added. "The people who were due to have her let Shelly down. She needs a good home."

  Jonathan frowned in concentration as he listened for his brother's response. The noise of the dogs and rooks cawing in the distance was all he could hear. "What do you think, Marc?"

  "I think…yes." Marcus's phone beeped as he dialed. "Hi, Shell. Jon says you have a puppy left…I want her."

  Jonathan grinned and Vicky hugged him. "How wonderful. Jessie will grow up knowing two of her siblings, Chloe's pup Paddy, and the girl Marcus is having."

  "Labradors at Rosemoor Hall," Marcus said. "Just like old times." He patted Jonathan on the shoulder. "I'll go and buy some dog supplies later before Shell drops the pup over. Thank you. Both of you."

  "I'm getting chilly," Vicky said. "Do you think Jessie will get cold?"

  "Not if she's running around." Jonathan stepped sideways and circled his arms around Vicky, pulling her against him. "Warmer now?" he said softly.

  "Much," she whispered.

  "Where's Marcus?"

  "He's gone to play with the dogs again."

  Jonathan took the opportunity to nuzzle her neck and made her giggle. "I can't believe how much you've changed my life," he whispered. "I owe you so much, love."

  She turned in his embrace and put her arms around his neck. "I'm the one who owes you. I might never have found the strength to move on if it wasn't for you, and look at me now. I can hardly believe I'm here, with you and my new fur baby. You've given me a second chance at life, and a second chance at love."

  Her soft feminine curves pressed against him, and Jonathan wished they were alone in his apartment. But from the happy sound of the dogs playing, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

  But he could wait. They had plenty of time together—they had the rest of their lives.

  Epilogue

  Twelve months later

  Vicky woke in the warm cocoon of the bed beside Jonathan and smiled to herself in anticipation of the wonderful surprise she had for him this Christmas Day.

  It had taken nearly a year, but they finally had the gatehouse exactly as they wanted it. The two of them had worked side by side painting the walls and choosing the style and layout of the new kitchen and bathrooms they'd had renovated.

  Jonathan slept at her side with Honey and Jessie curled on top of the covers, Jessie by her feet and Honey at Jonathan's. Vicky rolled over and stroked strands of hair off Jonathan's forehead, grazing her fingertips along his scar. Strange, she was so used to it, she hardly noticed it now.

  When she shifted position, Jessie uncurled, stood, and stretched, then trod up the bed and licked Vicky's hand. Vicky rubbed her dog's chest and stroked her ears. "Merry Christmas to you too, sweetheart."

  Jessie's feathered golden tail flapped madly at the prospect of another day. She was such a happy dog, so full of energy and curiosity, such a loving furry friend.

  Honey decided that as Jessie was awake, she should get up too. She padded up the bed and flopped with her head on Jonathan's chest, politely waiting for him to wake before she licked him.

  "Good morning, Honey." His voice was thick with sleep as he pulled a hand from beneath the covers and rested it on her head.

  Vicky leaned over and kissed him. "Merry Christmas, darling."

  Jessie decided she wanted a piece of the kissing action and shoved her nose in Jonathan's face, making him laugh as he fended her off.

  "Come on, you two golden girls. Let Daddy wake up before you smother him." Vicky climbed out of bed and put on her slippers and fleecy winter dressing gown. "Honey, Jessie, let's see if there're any pheasants in the garden, shall we?"

  Both dogs leaped off the bed. Claws scrabbling on the wooden floor, they charged along the corridor, through the kitchen, and into the utility room. Honey waited obediently at the back door to be let out, while Jessie jumped up at it, whining. Vicky had taken her to dog training classes, but she was nowhere near as well trained as Honey.

  Vicky unbolted the back door and both dogs shot out onto the frosty grass, tails wagging as they patrolled their territory, following their noses along the scent trails left by nocturnal animals. Crossing her arms against the chill, Vicky stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind her to keep in the warmth.

  Her breath floated away in clouds, and the cold stung her cheeks and nipped at her bare ankles. Yet she welcomed the cold, loved this time of year when the trees were bare and the landscape iced white. Winter in the Cotswolds would always hold sweet memories for her. She'd never forget Colin and Josh, but Christmas now marked her first meeting with Jonathan and the start of her new life.

  From the gatehouse garden, her view stretched across the parkland to the golden walls of Rosemoor Hall. How lucky she'd been to choose this place as her retreat last Christmas; how lucky she'd been to meet Jonathan. He and her beautiful Jessie had transformed her life. As if Jessie sensed Vicky's thoughts, she loped back, lithe and muscular under her fluffy golden coat, and dropped a stick at Vicky's feet.

  The chewed p
iece of wood was icy cold to the touch, and Vicky shivered. She tossed it a couple of times for Jessie, then went back inside and called the dogs with her.

  "Come on, golden girls. Time to warm up again. You'll have a longer walk after breakfast."

  Both dogs trotted into the utility room, and she dried their feet, then fed them. Jonathan was making mugs of tea when she went back in the kitchen. He turned and she stepped into his arms for a kiss, snuggling close to his strong, warm body.

  "Our second Christmas together," he said. "Can you believe it's been a year?"

  Vicky placed a hand on her belly and smiled to herself. A wonderful year, and the next one would be even more amazing. Three days ago she'd taken a pregnancy test, and she had a Christmas surprise to share.

  They carried their tea back to the bedroom and climbed under the covers, the dogs joining them again. Vicky fluffed her pillow and leaned back, sipping her tea, waiting for the perfect moment to tell Jonathan he was going to be a dad.

  He set his tea on the nightstand, then pulled a small present from under his pillow and laid it on her lap. "For you."

  Excitement zinged through her at the cubed shape of the gift. Could this be the present she'd hoped for? Vicky put down her tea and pulled off the wrapping paper. Inside was a red velvet box. She flipped up the lid to reveal a cluster of diamonds, and gave a little squeal.

  "Oh, Jon. It's beautiful." She threw her arms around him and pressed a kiss to his lips.

  "Will you marry me, darling?"

  "Yes, yes, yes." Holding him tight, she closed her eyes, blissfully happy. "I love you so much. I'm the luckiest woman in the world."

  He took the ring from her, felt her fingers, and slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand before kissing her again. "You've made me happier than I ever thought possible," he said. "Before I met you, I'd resigned myself to spending the rest of my life single."

  Vicky hugged him tighter. The thought of this kind, loving man being lonely brought tears to her eyes. "You'll always have me." And now was the moment she'd waited for. "And you'll have someone else to love as well. I'm pregnant, Jon. I did a test, and it was positive."

  He pulled back, and for a moment it was as if he could see her out of his brown eyes. "Really?" he whispered, his voice low and tight with emotion.

  "Really. In just under eight months, we'll have a tiny baby."

  He drew her back against him, more gently this time as if she'd suddenly become fragile. "I'll look after you and our child." He kissed her forehead and ran his fingers across her cheek and lips. "The fact I can't see won't keep me from being a good father."

  "Oh, Jon, I know that. Our baby will be lucky to have such a loving dad."

  Jessie chose that moment to push between them and try for a furtive face lick. Vicky and Jonathan both laughed.

  "Yes, Jessie, we love you as well, and you, Honey." When Vicky spoke Honey’s name, she crowded between them too and they had a group hug, their arms around the dogs as they kissed over their heads.

  "Merry Christmas, darling," Vicky said to Jonathan.

  "Merry Christmas, my precious fiancée," he replied.

  "Merry Christmas, golden girls," they said to the dogs in unison, and both dogs wagged their tails like crazy.

  If you enjoyed Golden Christmas and would like to be the first to hear about Helen's new releases, please sign up for her NEWSLETTER.

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  Free download at most online retailers.

  About the Author

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helen Scott Taylor won the American Title IV contest in 2008. Her winning book, The Magic Knot, was published in 2009 to critical acclaim, received a starred review from Booklist, and was a Booklist top-ten romance for 2009. Since then she has published other novels, novellas, and short stories in both the UK and USA.

  Helen lives in South West England near Plymouth in Devon between the windswept expanse of Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful long-suffering husband, she shares her home with a Westie and an aristocratic burmilla cat who rules the household with a velvet paw. She believes that deep within everyone, there's a little magic.