Jingle Bell Romance: A Colorado Billionaires Christmas Story
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They stood silently for a few moments, watching as Laura encouraged Jasmine to hold the baby. Then Jed said quietly, “We’re staying. I’m looking for office space in Eagle’s Toe. I’m going to open up a branch and buy a house. I want to raise my kids here.”
Ryan nodded. “Good. Maybe we’ll be neighbors. I’m staying, too.”
Jed raised a brow. “For real?”
Ryan shoved his hands in his pockets. “Mostly for Jazzie. But coming here changed me. Everywhere I looked, something made me smile. I haven’t smiled so much since before law school. Jasmine says Eagle’s Toe could use a people’s lawyer. She says all the wealthy families have plenty of legal help, but the ordinary folks don’t know where to turn when they have a problem.”
Jed nodded. “That sounds great.”
“Jasmine says she’d love to do something to help. She doesn’t want to wait tables all her life.”
Jasmine handed the baby back to Laura, then joined the men. She said to Jed, “Laura needs to rest, so we’re going to collect little Austin and take care of him for you.” She threw her arms around her brother’s neck in a quick hug. “I’m so happy for you! Have you picked a name yet?”
Laura’s voice carried from the bed. “Noelle seems appropriate.”
Jasmine replied, “I think it’s perfect, Laura.”
Jed said, “Austin will be glad to see you. I had to promise him he could pet the reindeer all day and eat candy for breakfast when I left him with the McAvoys.”
Ryan laughed softly. “I think we can handle that.”
Jasmine agreed. “The problem,” she said, “is what to do about the puppy.”
Ryan said, “You mean, the one Austin keeps looking for?”
Jed said, “Yes. The one he asked Santa for. He wanted a puppy. Last year Santa brought him a new mother. He was thrilled. So he started writing letters really early, asking for a puppy.”
Jasmine and Ryan exchanged looks. Jasmine said, “I think Ryan and I can handle this.”
Christmas morning, in a Suite in the Cattleman’s Inn
Austin was on his hands and knees, surrounded by piles of Christmas paper and new toys. Laura lay on the big sofa in front of the tree, holding little Noelle. Jed sat on the floor in front of her, watching his son search in vain for one more gift.
Jasmine and Ryan held hands at the little table by the window.
Austin stood up and looked imploringly at his parents.
Jed said, “What’s wrong, buddy? You got some wonderful gifts there. You must have made a great impression on Mr. and Mrs. Claus.”
Jasmine pulled a small box out of her purse. “I think he’s looking for this.”
Austin’s face brightened until he saw the size of the box. “There’s no puppy in there.”
“Come on, open it,” said Jasmine.
“Oh, all right.” Looking totally dejected, Austin tore paper off the box. He opened the lid, and a touch of excitement returned. “It’s a dog collar!”
Ryan peeked inside. “Look, there’s a note. Can you read it?”
Austin looked offended. “Daddy practices with me every night.” He unfolded the note and frowned in concentration. “It’s from Santa. Dear Austin, I have not forgotten your Christmas wish. But your perfect puppy has not been born yet. When it is ready, your aunt Jasmine will know. Until then, I hope you can have fun playing with your new sister and your new uncle, Ryan.”
Austin looked from Jasmine to Ryan and back again. “Wow. That’s a lot of presents in one box!”
Ryan leaned across the table and kissed Jasmine softly on the lips. “It is indeed,” he said. “Merry Christmas.”
CHAPTER TEN
Saturday, April 30
Jasmine and Ryan’s wedding reception
The last guests were filing out of the room. Jasmine gave her brother a hug. ”I’ll take lots of photos,” she said. “I’ve never been to England before.”
Jed smoothed her hair. “Don’t worry about photos. This is your honeymoon.”
Little Austin was tired of being a ring bearer and wedding guest. “Can we go home now?” he whined.
Laura approached, baby Noelle in her arms. “Jed, I told Ryan we’d take all the gifts to our house until after the honeymoon.”
Jasmine’s eyes twinkled. “Wonderful! Austin, would you help carry a gift to the car?”
Austin looked miserable. “Okay,” he said grudgingly. “I guess so.”
Ryan carried a white box over to Austin. “Gee, look at this one, Jazzy. Someone left a gift for Austin.”
Jasmine pretended to look confused. “But it’s our wedding, dear. It must be meant for us.”
Austin’s eyes grew big. “The box has holes in it!”
Ryan set it gently on the floor. “Let’s take a look, little buddy.” He lifted the lid.
Inside was a wiggling, wagging, winsome little puppy. Austin jumped up and down. “Santa didn’t forget!”
“Santa never forgets,” said Jasmine. “He said I would know when the time was right and when your perfect puppy was born. And here he is.”
“What are you going to name him, son?” asked Jed.
Austin picked up the puppy ever so gently. “Blitzen,” he said. “So I’ll always remember last Christmas.”
Jasmine and Ryan looked deep into each other’s eyes as Jasmine said, “That’s the perfect name. I want to remember last Christmas, too.”
Ryan said, “And I want to remember today.” He kissed her softly. “Although,” he added with a quirky smile, “Santa did give me everything I asked for.”
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Other Books by Regina Duke
The Wedding Wager (Colorado Billionaires, 1)
The Wedding Hope (Colorado Billionaires, 2)
The Wedding Venture (Colorado Billionaires, 3)
The Wedding Belle (Colorado Billionaires, 4)
The Wedding Guest (Colorado Billionaires, 5)
Colorado Billionaires Boxed Set (Contains novels 1, 2, and 3)
Colorado Billionaires Christmas 2014 (Sunny’s Christmas, Krystal’s Christmas, Christmas Angel)
Colorado Billionaires Christmas 2015 (Jingle Bell Magic, Jingle Bell Wedding, Jingle Bell Romance)
Love on the Lazy B: Love Again, Twice the Joy (Two Colorado Billionaires Stories)
My Vampire Wedding
North Rim Delight (Silver State Romance, 1)
The Woof in the Wedding Plans (Silver State Romance, 2)
Calin's Cowboy (Silver State Romance, 3)
Silver State Romance Boxed Set (Contains novels 1, 2, and 3)
Trickster and Other Stories
Linda White's Loving the Sensitive Dog
Linda White's Sir Darby: Another Sensitive Dog
Coming Soon
The Wedding Toast (Colorado Billionaires, 6)
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author Regina Duke writes sweet romance, cozy mystery, and paranormal. She lives in the High Desert with her three dogs, and when she’s not writing, she’s playing the piano and enjoying her friends.
Learn more at http://www.reginaduke.com. For fiction, please visit her at www.ReginaDuke.com. And for non-fiction, www.LindaLouWrites.com.
Also, see www.LoversLaneRomance.com for collections of stories by Regina Duke and Sandra Edwards.