Sean glanced at the big clock over the stage. Almost time.
With a deep breath, he propped open the balcony door and swung outside on his crutches.
Standing on the balcony on the chilly, overcast night, Zoe ignored the goose bumps on her arms and how cold her toes were. Instead, she stared at the lights twinkling in the nearby neighborhood. They reminded her of stars.
Stars.
Her breath caught in her throat.
I grew up with multicolored lights, but the white ones look like stars to me.
Sean.
Her chest constricted.
She remembered the glittery star ornament little Rebecca had made for her. Zoe had left it on the tree, thinking she would be back.
If only she could wish upon a star now for what her heart desired….
But Christmas was over. All the magic had been used up. No more miracles to be had.
She clutched the railing, disappointed and hurting.
That time on the mountain was over. She was back in the governor’s mansion, back in the public eye. She was happy to be reconciled with her mother and brothers, but she couldn’t go back to being the same old Zoe. Even if her wish for love didn’t come true, she had a brighter future ahead of her than the one she’d dreamed of.
She had Sean to thank.
Because he had believed in her, depended on her, she could believe in and depend on herself.
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
Even if he didn’t need her anymore.
A noise sounded behind her.
Uh-oh. Someone had found her favorite hiding spot. No doubt her mother or one of her brothers.
“I’ll go back inside,” she said, not turning. “I just needed some fresh air.”
“Don’t rush back on my account.”
The familiar male voice sent her pulse racing. She turned slowly, afraid she was imagining things.
But she wasn’t.
Her heart leapt. “You’re here.”
Dressed in a black tux and looking devastatingly handsome, he made his way toward her on crutches. “You look gorgeous, absolutely stunning, like a real-life princess in that gown. Though I must admit to being partial to you in wet, clingy pajamas.”
Zoe’s heart melted at the compliment, but she forced herself to straighten. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the Rail Jam Extravaganza?”
“I sent two of my employees who I’m sure will rise to the occasion,” he said. “You’re my top priority, Zoe.”
The air rushed from her lungs. No one had ever said those words to her before.
Standing in front of her, he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, the gesture so tender her eyes stung. “For years, I’ve told myself I didn’t have time for a relationship. I wouldn’t listen to my family, to anyone. Then you came along, and all I could see, want, dream about was you. I should have never let you leave. I’m sorry, Zoe. I should have believed you when you told me who you were. Not Zoe Carrington or Zoe Flynn. Just Zoe. But I was too stubborn to realize it.”
She swallowed, hoping to find her voice. “I’m sorry, too. I should have trusted you with the truth, Sean, but so many times people I’ve known have run to the tabloids to make a quick buck…”
“We both should have done a lot of things.”
Her heart bumped. “All I’ve ever wanted is to be loved and accepted for who I am. Not what my family or friends expect. I just want to be me. I’m not going to settle for anything less.”
“I don’t want you to settle.” Sean held her hand. “I love you. Only you.”
The sincerity in Sean’s eyes and voice told Zoe his words were true. She smiled. “I love you.”
“Do you think we could try again?” he asked. “I want to take you back to Hood Hamlet, back home.”
Her heart fluttered. “I’d like that.”
Sean lowered his mouth, pressing his sweet lips upon hers. He swept Zoe against him with one arm, her skin tingling where he touched her.
His lips moved over hers. Tasting. Caressing. Loving.
She melted into the kiss, drinking up the taste of him. His warmth and his strength danced through her veins.
Zoe gave in to his passion, returning his kiss with a desire all her own. She didn’t know how long they stood there, how long they kissed. The only thing that mattered was this time. This man. This love.
Slowly, with a heartrending tenderness, Sean drew the kiss to an end.
Zoe stared at the man she loved. The affection in his eyes matched the way she felt in her heart. Every kiss, every touch they’d shared had brought them to this moment. “So you’re going to be my real-life boyfriend.”
He shook his head, a quick, decisive gesture that stopped her heart.
“I want to be more than your boyfriend. We’ve had only one official date, but being with you these past weeks has shown me it will work. I want you to know I’m committed.” Sean swung backward, tried to move, then stopped. “Damn crutches.”
She let go of the breath she’d been holding. “What?”
“I can’t go down on one knee because of my leg, so this will have to do. Marry me, Zoe Flynn Carrington. Be my wife. Be my partner. Be my everything.”
This was everything she imagined it would be and more. Joy overflowed. “I’d be honored to be your wife, Sean. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Inside, the people started counting down to midnight.
He pulled out a velvet ring box, opened it up and, as the horns blared the ringing-in of a new year, slid the ring onto Zoe’s finger. A perfect fit.
She gazed at the intricate filigree and diamonds, a feeling of family and home and tradition welling up inside her. “Your grandmother’s ring?”
He nodded. “We seem to have been fated from that first day we met, but if you don’t like it—”
“I love it,” she said. “But not as much as I love you.”
Sean grinned. “Happy New Year, Zoe.”
He brushed his lips across hers once more.
A feeling of contentment flowed through her. It was as if this was the moment she’d been waiting for, but it wasn’t the ending. Only the beginning.
“Happy New Year, my love,” she said.
Zoe stared up at Sean with stars in her eyes and his ring on her finger. She smiled. There had been some Christmas magic left after all.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7488-8
CHRISTMAS MAGIC ON THE MOUNTAIN
First North American Publication 2010
Copyright © 2010 by Melissa Martinez McClone
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