A Merrily Matched Christmas

by Virginia Nelson

  She looked up and knew exactly what she'd meant. His eyes struck her once again. They really were the opposite of Steven's. Jake saw her. Really saw her. It was intoxicating.

  "Would it be okay if I kissed you?" Jake had leaned closer.

  She nodded her head. His lips met hers lightly at first. A gentle questioning that she answered by reaching her arms around his neck and scooting closer. She heard him whisper her name before deepening the kiss. Emotions and sensations she'd never felt in all her married years woke for the first time. This is what all those romance novels talked about. She felt cherished and desired all at once.

  Jake stopped and rested his forehead against hers.

  "How did you know?" she asked.

  "What?"

  "That kiss made the day perfect."

  Chapter 8

  The next few days were a blur of activity. Jessica played with Katie, and Lindsey got into the routine of helping the Wilson's with various jobs around the hotel each morning. Jake had to convince his mom Lindsey really did want to help. In the end, only her plea to be saved from boredom swayed Marion. After that, she helped paint, assembled furniture, decorated, and even picked out bedding from the internet. Lindsey had never had so much fun working in her life. The best part was Jake made sure there was something fun every afternoon.

  Three days before Christmas, Lindsey sat at the kitchen table with Marion. Jake had been mysteriously absent all day, but so had his father. She was surprised at how lonely the day felt without him in it. Pushing the thoughts away, she watched as Marion added cinnamon, clove, and orange essential oils to water in a spray bottle.

  “Here, you spray the pinecones and I'll hold the bag open. Just drop them in after they're good and coated. They'll make wonderful gifts.” Marion passed a large bag of pinecones and the spray bottle to Lindsey.

  “Who are they for?”

  “We'll hand them out at the Christmas dinner up at the resort in two days. Most of the town comes and this has become my thing. I'll tie them up with a little ribbon and mistletoe.” Marion smiled. “You need one for yourself?”

  Jessica blushed. Jake hadn't kissed her again since that day they went snowmobiling, but she hadn't stopped thinking about it. It wasn't something she wanted to talk to his mom about though.

  “Uh, I don't think so.” She spun a pinecone as she sprayed. The scent was wonderful.

  “I understand, you know. Things are scary when they happen fast, and you've got plans. I just want you to know we've all fallen in love with you this week. You and Katie. If you did want to stick around, you're welcome to stay with us.”

  Lindsey didn't know what to say. She couldn't be sure what Marion meant by it all. Was Jake in love with her? What did the offer to stay really entail?

  Could I do it? Even thinking the question had her heart slamming around in her chest.

  “You don't have to say anything,” Marion continued, “but having your help these last few days has shown me that I'm going to need to hire someone when Jessica goes back to school and we open for business. There's no way I can take care of everything on my own. Just think about that. You could keep Katie with you and not have to pay for a sitter.”

  Lindsey dropped the pinecone. Everything calmed around her, even her thundering heart. Staying, wanting to stay, felt peaceful now there was the hope of a job. It was worth thinking about, even if moving to Wyoming was as crazy an idea as getting married at nineteen had been.

  “Let me think about it.” Lindsey felt a bit breathless. She should call her brother. At least talk to someone else before she made a decision.

  Jessica entered the kitchen. “Katie's down for her nap, and Jake just texted. He and dad are on their way back from their shopping trip. He wanted to know if you felt up to a little butter churning.”

  “What?” Marion and Lindsey both asked and started laughing.

  “I don't know, that's all the text said.” She held up her phone so they could read.

  Ask if Lindsey is up for butter churning.

  “Fresh butter would be wonderful! Tell him yes.”

  “Well, then, I'm going to start some homemade bread.” Marion handed the ziplock bag to Jessica. “You two keep spraying.”

  Jake couldn't wait until Lindsey saw what he'd bought. He had driven a hundred and fifty miles to get her Christmas present. His dad laughed beside him.

  “You sure you don't want to save it until Christmas?”

  Jake shook his head. “I can't be sure she'll stay until then.”

  “Well, she's gonna love this.”

  “I hope so.” Jake checked the GPS one more time. Only twenty more minutes and he'd finally see her today. The day had felt so long. They'd left early for Evanston, completed all the shopping they needed for the hotel, grabbed some farm supplies that were cheaper in the city, and then stopped at the dairy farm. Lindsey had been on his mind the entire time.

  Jakes dad sang along with the radio, and Jake counted miles and minutes. The sun sat low in the sky when they pulled up to the hotel. He was out of the truck before his dad had cut the engine, and had the churn and the four quart can of fresh cream.

  When he entered the front door, he heard music and laughter from the kitchen. That's where he found her—dancing in the middle of the floor with her daughter. She stopped when she saw him. Her face lit up with the smile he loved.

  “Dadda!” Katie reached for him and Lindsey blushed.

  “I'm sorry, I can't get her to stop calling you that.”

  “She's still little and doesn't understand. It's okay.” He still couldn't tell her how much he liked that little voice calling him dad. Jake set the things down on the table and Katie jumped into his arms.

  She patted his face. “Hun-gy.”

  Everyone laughed. Jake noticed that Lindsey was staring at the milk can and box he'd set down.

  “They're for you. An early Christmas present.” He liked how she touched the can, almost reverently.

  “It's been a while since we had fresh milk. What's in the box?”

  “Open it.”

  She lifted the lid and peeked inside. Her mouth made a cute little “o” and her eyes widened to match. Finally, she reached in and pulled out the churn. It looked like an antique wooden churn with the dash to churn, but it also had an electric option.

  “I didn't know if you'd want to churn by hand, or just get the fresh butter.” Jake shrugged and put the wiggling Katie on the ground.

  “Pway!” Katie reached for the barrel.

  “It's wonderful. Thank you.” Lindsey stepped closer and hugged him.

  The moment lasted an eternity while also ending far too quickly. Jake wished he could keep her in his arms forever. “You're welcome.”

  They stood there staring at each other another moment until Marion came in from the back porch. “Oh, you are back. We'll have dinner on the table in twenty minutes.”

  “We'd better get busy then.” Jake opened the can of cream. “Shall we make some butter?”

  Lindsey lay in bed staring at the ceiling long into the night. It had been such a wonderful evening. Jake kept her and Katie laughing while they made butter, ate, then sat with his family singing Christmas carols. She couldn't believe he'd bought her a butter churn.

  No one had paid so much attention to her in years. Not even her brother. She'd called him before bed. He was still in New York for work and didn't know when he'd be coming home. When she told him about the car and being stuck in Wyoming, he'd sounded sorry but didn't offer to help in any way. Would he really be able to help her and Katie?

  She tossed and turned, worrying about the future. There were no guarantees in West Virginia. If she stayed in Saratogo, she'd at least have a job where she could keep Katie with her. Finally, she sent a simple request heavenward.

  God, what's the best thing for Katie?

  Chapter 9

  Jake had never felt happier. He'd spent the morning with his family, Lindsey, and Katie opening presents. With TJ and his fam
ily's help, he'd convinced Lindsey to stay for Christmas. It had been wonderful to watch her face when Katie had several more presents under the tree than Lindsey had expected. More than once she'd teared up a little. She'd even held his hand most of the morning.

  Afterward, he'd brought them to his farm for a light lunch under the pretense his mom didn't want anyone in her kitchen while she prepared the dinner feast. He'd actually just needed quiet time with Lindsey. She'd leave the next day, and this would be his only chance to tell her how he felt.

  When Katie went down for a nap, he sat by the fire and tried to get the nerve to say what he needed. It was harder than he thought, so he asked Lindsey all kinds of questions. She didn't want to talk much about her future plans, but she loved to talk about her childhood, her mom, and how much she had loved their dairy farm.

  "It was hard work, but I miss it. Steven sold all the cows early on so I didn't have much purpose around the house." She sat with a pillow in her lap, playing with the buttons on it.

  "If you could do anything you wanted in the world, what would it be?"

  "You'll think I'm stupid."

  "No I won't."

  She sighed and squeezed the pillow tight. "All I've ever wanted was a home of my own to take care of. I enjoyed helping my mom, but it was always her kitchen, her house, you know?"

  He nodded and reached for her hand, running his fingers over her smooth skin. "Would you want more children?"

  She stared at him for a moment before nodding. "I've always wanted a full house. My brother was a lot older, so when he moved out it was really quiet. I want to hear laughter and little feet running up and down the stairs. A dog, chickens, maybe a cow for fresh butter. A little garden would be nice."

  "All of that sounds perfect." He twined his fingers with hers. "My house is too quiet."

  Lindsey looked at their hands, then back at him. "Oh?"

  Jake's heart beat faster, as if he'd just tossed hay bales for an hour straight. He wished more than anything he was better with his words. Better at reading women.

  Just say it.

  "I think I've been praying for you for a long time. Long before you bolted out of your car to get to Katie, but since then, you're all I've thought about. Both of you. The two of you make my heart feel alive. Every time she puts her little hands on my face, I know I'd do anything in the world for her."

  Jake wiped at a tear that rolled down Lindsey's cheek, hoping it was a happy tear. He knew he couldn't stop though. It was important that he say all that was in his heart.

  "I heard you tell my mom about your ex that first day. I've never been so angry. A real man would know how special you are, how much he should cherish and protect you. But I also understand that protecting you doesn't mean keeping you locked away."

  "Jake, what are you saying?" her voice wavered.

  "Lindsey, I'm trying to say that I want to be your support. I want to give you everything you've ever dreamed of, but I want us to do it together."

  Another tear dropped from her lashes, but she smiled. It gave him hope.

  "Lindsey, I know we've only known each less than two weeks, but I can't imagine my life without you. Please, stay in Saratoga with me. You and Katie."

  "I'd like that, but I don't know if I'm ready." She squeezed his hands.

  "I can understand that. I'm willing to bet my mom would give you a job in exchange for room and board. You'd have help with Katie, and we can take our time getting to know each other before you decide anything."

  "She's already mentioned the job.” Katie glanced down, then back up to meet his gaze. She stared into his face, as if she could see deep into his soul. “Where do you hope we'll end up?"

  Jake's heart beat strong and sure. No longer afraid, he had no more doubts about what he wanted in his future. "I hope one day you'll trust me with your heart. That you'll bind it with mine. Let me love you and Katie as my own family."

  Lindsey shifted on the couch so she could face him better. She reached out and placed both hands on the side of his face. Instead of patting it the way Katie did, she guided him closer.

  Just before their lips touched she whispered, "Jake Wilson, I'm glad you've been praying for me, because I think I've been praying for you too."

  Easy to Make Homemade Butter

  Supplies:

  Some kind of container you can close tightly such as a baby food jar, rubbermaid container, double-lock zip-lock bag. It doesn't have to be fancy, just able to be shaken without dripping.

  You can also use a stand or hand mixer.

  Bowl of ice water

  Ingredients:

  heavy cream or whipping cream

  Optional: salt to taste or a favorite herb

  Pour a pint of heavy cream or whipping cream into your device or into a jar with a tight fitting lid. If using a machine, turn on low speed, then raise to medium speed. If you're using a jar, start shaking.

  The cream will go through stages.

  1. whipped cream with soft, then stiff peaks

  2. the cream will break (If shaking by hand, you’ll hear a sloshing, then you’ll feel more solid bits hit the sides of the jar. If you’re using a stand mixer, you’ll see the butter clinging to the beater.)

  NOTE: This usually takes anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes—by hand may take longer. In this process, you are separating the butter fat from the liquid.

  Pour off the buttermilk and save it for baking or drink it (my mom loves to drink it)

  Scoop the butter into a bowl and rinse it by pouring ice water over it and pressing the remaining buttermilk out with a small spatula or a spoon

  Pour off the water and repeat the process

  Keep rinsing and squishing the butter with the ice water until the water runs clear

  Add some salt or your favorite herb flavor if you like and work that through the butter

  About the Author

  River Ford is the romance pen name of Science Fiction writer Charity Bradford. She's always loved watching the sweet (and sometimes cheesy) Hallmark movies with her four kids. One day she decided to give romance writing a try and fell in love with the characters she created to live in Eureka Springs, AR. Now, when she's not playing ferrying kids around, she alternates between her love of all things spacey and all things of the heart.

  For more information:

  www.riverfordromances.com

  All I Want For Christmas is My Book Boyfriend

  by Beth Fred

  Katie spends all of her time in the OR or re-reading about the Gypsy Eliam Monaj her favorite Regency romance hero. Who needs a real boyfriend when she has a perfect book boyfriend? But when Katie ends up on a Christmas cruise—of sorts—alone with Eledon she finds the mutual attraction hard to ignore. Still a gambling loaf is no match for a conscientious doctor. Can Katie find a real happily ever after or is she destined to live in books?

  Chapter 1

  “It’s all right, my lady. Give your worries to me.”

  “You know I hate it when you call me that.” Still standing in the threshold of the open door, Eliam opened his arms, and Lady Elizabeth collapsed into them. If anyone in the ton saw her in such a compromising position—with a Gypsy no less—she’d be ruined. She didn’t give a Queen’s crumpet about that.

  “My lady, I wasn’t using your title.”

  Elizabeth buried her face deeper into Eliam’s shoulder and sobbed. “It’s just—”

  “Shh.” Eliam soothed. “Sweetheart, you’ll be fine. Everything will be fine. I’ll make certain of it.”

  The cries came so deep that the movement of her shoulders rocked his body. He moved to the settee and pulled her into his lap. “Have you decided to marry me yet?”

  “No. You are too intense. I could never handle you.”

  His lips curved into a half smile. “The sooner you agree to marry me, the easier it will be for me to care for your family.”

  “I can take care of my sisters just fine.”

  Eliam combed his fingers through her hai
r. “You can. You’ve proven that. But you it’s no longer required. Let me prove that.” He pressed his lips into her light blonde curls.

  Katie’s heart leapt as she turned her Kindle off with a smile on her face and a pain in her chest because she’d never have what Lady Elizabeth had. Eliam was the perfect boyfriend for a girl who refused to make a commitment. Every time Lady Elizabeth turned him down, Katie wanted to slap her. Because Eliam Monaj was the closest thing to true love Katie would ever have. For the first time in five years, Katie wouldn’t spend Christmas at the hospital or on-call to be there, and Elizabeth’s Heart must be closed for now, because she refused to miss her flight.

  “Now boarding first class passengers for flight 1061 to Colorado.” A voice boomed through the terminal. Katie grabbed her sleek Louis Vuitton roller bag and wheeled toward the gate.

  She boarded her flight and sank into the leatherback chair. She glanced at the large older man beside her, his breath so heavy it startled her. She kept her gaze on him until he looked up and made eye contact. She smiled.

  He smiled back.

  “Drink a lot of water. No alcohol or caffeine on the flight, promise?” I’ll be damned if this old geezer has a cardiac event on the plane. Once I’ve treated someone, they’re my patient. I can’t help but follow up. It’s my nature.

  “That’s an odd greeting.”

  “It’s the best advice anyone has ever given me.” Oh can we load this bus and get to taxi already? I just want to plug my headphones in and let my Kindle read Elizabeth’s Heart to me. Eliam is so much more real that way.

  Katie closed her eyes and tried to nap as business and then coach boarded the plane. Couldn’t people walk faster? She was ready to turn on her Kindle whisper sync.