He decided he’d try calling Cassie again and tapped her number on the screen.
***
Cassie saw Andy’s name pop up on her phone and answered on the first ring. “Hi.”
“Can we talk?”
“I was about to ask you that. Sorry I didn’t call you back, I’ve…been working on something. Can you meet me at the gazebo in fifteen minutes?”
“I can meet you in five minutes. I’m downtown right now.”
“Really? Come on over here then. I’m ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“Come see.” Cassie waited in the snow-covered gazebo shivering. She was bundled up well enough; it had to be her nerves this time and not the cold.
He wasn’t far away. Her throat tightened. Would he think this was stupid?
Whatever his reaction was, she had to try.
I’m doing this.
***
Andy approached the gazebo, well-lit with Christmas lights. The greenery and red bows were now dusted with the falling snow.
As he came closer, he noticed rose petals scattered along the path and up the steps inside the gazebo. The petals were pink, red, yellow, and white. Cassie stood up and waited for him to come closer.
“I read your letter.” He stepped up on the first step and noticed bouquets of red, white, pink, and yellow roses in vases on the bench all around the gazebo’s interior. “What’s all this, Cassie?”
“Do you remember asking me if I would accept a proposal in the gazebo on a starry night, with roses of every color?”
“Uh…yeah…” Andy hesitated on the second step, his heartbeat thumping in his ears. Was she asking him to propose again?
Her hands were in her coat pockets. Her cheeks were rose colored in the chilly wind, nearly matching the scarf around her neck. Silky brown curls blew in the breeze under her winter hat. She was so beautiful.
His pulse was running wild as he came even closer. For a few moments no one spoke and Andy thought he was once again in danger of getting lost in her beautiful eyes.
“Did you ever open my book?” Cassie turned to one side and snatched up a copy of her book on the bench. “’Cause I’d like to know.”
She handed it to him and he took it in both hands. He sighed. “I admit, I have not.”
“Look inside. Please.”
He was more than a little confused. Did she want him to read her book right then?
He turned the first pages and his eyes caught sight of his name on the dedication page.
To Andy,
I love you.
I’m ready.
His heart was melting. She’d dedicated her book to him. He met her eyes as he closed the book. He had to know. “I love you, Cassie Winston.”
She smiled.
He placed the book down. “I’m ready too.”
Andy reached out to take her hands, but she slid her hands into both of her coat pockets again and pulled out two small boxes.
“I have a question for you.”
Andy came closer.
She popped the boxes open, revealing two wedding bands, one for him and one for her.
“Andrew James McKay…” She took in a deep breath and her eyes sparkled, holding his captive. “Will you marry me?”
He grasped the ring boxes from her and wrapped his arms around her. He closed the gap between their lips and held her close. The kiss was fierce at first, then soft and slow. He hoped his lips could convey the pent-up emotion of the past year he’d spent wishing she was in his arms again.
When she pulled away for a moment, she whispered, “Is that a yes?”
Andy pressed his nose and forehead against hers, holding her close. “Absolutely it’s a yes. I will marry you, Cassie. I’ll marry you right here, right now; or I’ll wait however long you want me to.”
“Merry Christmas, Andy.”
“Merry Christmas, Cassie.”
Then he kissed her again, and all his fear collapsed around him. Nothing else mattered in that moment except her. He’d spend the rest of his life showing her that love could last forever.
Check out the next book in the Christmas in Romance series:
Santa’s Visit in Romance
by
Jessica L. Elliott
Dear Santa,
I've been such a good girl this year. Just ask Grandma, she'll tell you. But don't ask Daddy. He says I'm mischief in pigtails. I try hard to be good. Sometimes it's hard.
Daddy asked me what I want for Christmas. I said a mommy. He got sad. He said I should ask for something else. Santa, can you bring me a mommy for Christmas? A mommy with sparkly eyes and a nice smile. I promise I'll love her forever and never ask for another thing ever again. Not even a purple, sparkly unicorn. But if I can't have a mommy, a unicorn could be nice I guess.
Love,
Savannah Duncan
Nick Klauss looked at the letter one more time. It wasn't the first time he'd gotten a Santa letter. What had possessed his parents to name him after the jolly character was beyond him. He wasn't even born on Christmas, but rather two weeks earlier. But they had, and every now and again, some postal worker would drop a Santa letter in his PO Box rather than sending them wherever it was the massive piles of Santa letters got shipped to. He sometimes wondered about that, but not just at the moment. No, right now he wondered about the little girl who'd written to Santa wanting a mommy.
Over the years as Santa letters had come to him, he'd done his best to make the children's wishes come true. No sense in them not receiving what they wanted simply because their letter went to the wrong address. Most years had been pretty easy to do. A bicycle, a pair of inline skates, a baby doll. Those were the easy requests to grant. But this? He skimmed the neatly written letter. The mentioned grandma must have done the bulk of the writing based on the sloppy signature at the bottom. Kudos to her for capturing the little girl's message. The large, blocky print of Savannah's name indicated she was likely four or five years old, though he'd put his money on four.
He scratched the stubbly growth on his chin and looked up. The small town he called his home base was quiet today. The locals all knew Nick well enough to know he'd be on the road again soon. He never stayed put for long. Not since Racquel passed on. A snort to his side drew his attention. His tawny colored mare grazed nearby. He walked to her, smiling at the faded spots along her middle that made her look more like a yearling fawn just losing its spots. His wife had often called the horse his reindeer. “Well, JB, what do you think? Should we see if we can help this little girl find a mama?”
JB Lifted her chocolaty brown gaze to him with a soft snort.
“Yep,” he replied, rubbing her forehead. “It's a tall order for sure. It might just be easier to find her that sparkly unicorn.”
Snorting, JB returned to her grazing.
Nick chuckled. “I didn't say I was quitting. But we're going to have a time of it this year. I've never tried to be a matchmaker before and I can't say as I know how to do it. What do you think? We ready for another adventure?”
Celebrate Christmas in Romance
Welcome to Romance — an Oregon town where love lingers around every corner and residents pull out all the stops for Christmas in Romance.
Between odd animals, lost loves, second chances, hidden identities, a secret Santa, and bickering senior citizens, it might just take a miracle to bring everyone a happily-ever-after for the holidays.
Settle in a chair by the fire, sip a cup of hot cocoa, and immerse yourself in the friendly town of Romance with this series of six sweet Christmas novellas from bestselling and award-winning authors.
Sleigh Bells Ring in Romance by Shanna Hatfield - A determined widow and a persistent rancher need a nudge toward love.
A Merry Miracle in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker - It’ll take a Christmas miracle to turn a grudging friendship into true love.
Holding Onto Love in Romance by Liwen Y. Ho - A small town inn owner and a big time pop star need a reason to
keep holding onto love.
A Reel Christmas in Romance by J. J. DiBenedetto - Unwittingly engaged in the plot of a classic Hollywood romance, can two email pen-pals find their way to a happy ending?
A Christmas Carol in Romance by Franky A. Brown - A bitter-on-love radio DJ and his girlfriend of romance past need a second chance.
Santa’s Visit in Romance by Jessica L. Elliott - Santa's got his work cut out for him to help a reluctant couple find love during the holidays.
Find out more about Romance, Oregon on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/welcometoromance
Wired for Romance
He can rewire her house, but he can’t do a thing about the electricity sparking between them.
What Happened to Romance?
Mallory thinks romance is dead. It’s up to Max to convince her it’s alive and well.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Franky A. Brown has always called the South home and loves to write about it. She holds a BA in English from the University of South Carolina and has never stopped reading. She writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy as sweet as the chocolate that fuels her writing.
Connect with her online:
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A Christmas Carol In Romance (Christmas In Romance Book 5) Page 9
