by Kate Kisset
“What is this?” He turned the phone so she could see her message, and then to her horror, decided to read it aloud. “‘I can’t believe you would do this to me.’” Brett’s jaw looked tight while he waited for an answer.
Lilly squirmed and looked up at the sky. “Okay, okay, I was a little worried.”
“Wait just a minute. Message ten.” He stared at the phone for a few beats.
Oh no.
“Do you remember what you wrote?” He stepped beside her and angled the screen away from the glare so they could both read what she wrote.
Message sent. Thursday 12:07pm
I’m falling in love with you.
“Did you mean it?” Brett looked shell-shocked.
“Um...” She didn’t want to scare him, and caught sight of Carl and his mom walking through the vineyards. What was she supposed to say?
“Did you mean it?” He asked again, sounding tense. She peeked at him just when he put the phone back in pocket, then quickly looked away. “Lilly,” the words softened. “Please look at me.”
She gave up and looked Brett in the eye. “Yes,” she whispered, dropping her chin again. It was too hard to face him. “Yes. I meant it,” she sadly confessed. “And, yes, before you say anything. I know it’s way too early. It’s—”
“—exactly how I feel.”
Her brain came to a full stop. “It is?” she asked, while so many tingles and possibilities poured through her veins, she thought she’d levitate.
“And it’s not too early. When you know, you know…” Brett gave her a smile that made her heart bounce and her body lighter than air.
He reached for her hands and held them. His vivid blue eyes matched the sky. “You’re all I think about, Lilly. Being away from you only confirmed it. I couldn’t handle not seeing you again...or not having you in my life...on a more permanent basis.” His gaze locked on to hers, and she swore a song started playing somewhere inside. “And I’m not afraid to say it, but I think I’m past the point of no return. Is that okay with you?
She nodded, eyes brimming with tears. “Yes. Yes, it’s perfectly okay,” she said in one breathless sweep. “I’m so happy… I’m so shocked, Brett, I—I don’t know what to say…”
He let go of her hands and cradled her face, his thumbs making lazy circles over her cheekbones, his eyes telling the entire story. “Then let me say it. I’ve waited a long time to meet someone like you.” His voice softened to a whisper. “And you were worth the wait. I’m not falling in love with you Lilly. I’m way past that. I’m in love with you.”
Brett leaned down, bringing his lips closer to hers, and she stretched up to meet him. Holding her so close, he kissed her, slowly and lovingly, and even through his big, furry suit, she felt his love for her, which was exactly what she wanted for Christmas.
The End
KATE KISSET LINKS
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ABOUT KATE KISSET
Former San Francisco disc jockey Kate Kisset is the author of the highly acclaimed Wine Country Romance Series set in the San Francisco Bay Area. Fans refer to her contemporary romances as refreshing, with deep and complex characters, and plots that serve up humor without holding back on heart.
Kate is currently writing two new series that will launch in 2018.
Although Kate wrote her first story in the third grade, she became serious about writing romance after she lost her mother to pancreatic cancer. The tragedy left her searching for, and eventually writing happily-ever-afters to lift her spirits.
Kate divides her time between Northern and Southern California. When she's not writing, Kate's favorite job is being "The Mommy." She enjoys eating chocolate, drinking wine, listening to music, and walking her loyal companion, Luciana Parmigiana her rescue-dog-editor.
ST. HELENA SANTA NOTES & COMPANION PLAYLIST
The Christmas season this year, started in July, when I sat down at the computer in ninety-degree heat, and dove into Brett and Lilly’s love story. I still have the Sony MDR-7506 headphones I wore for years during my San Francisco radio days. Once I slip them on, just like before, when I was working on the air as a disc jockey, my brain switches into work-mode, and then shifts down into deep, concentration-gear.
Even my husband can’t lure me away from the story once I get started.
For St. Helena Santa, I lit cinnamon scented candles, sucked on candy canes and did whatever I could to transport myself into the Christmas season of love, family and oh yes, ChiChi and Cha-Cha’s fruitcakes. (Disclaimer: I didn’t force myself to eat anything as flammable as Ryo fruitcakes…)
I also listened to Christmas music. All of the following songs were mentioned in the story by title. I’ll remind you of the scene and give the version of the song I was listening to while I wrote it.
In the opening scene, Lilly is humming to herself, completely oblivious to what was about to happen and who she was about to meet. This song is playing in the background as she stashes ChiChi and Cha-Cha’s fruitcakes under the table and Brett Benning interrupts her:
“Walking in a Winter Wonderland”—Rod Stewart and Michael Buble
When Brett picks Lilly up at ChiChi Ryo’s fabulous St. Helena mansion, this song is blasting through his speakers and he immediately turns it down: “Baby it’s Cold Outside”—Seth MacFarlane and Sara Bareilles.
This particular version of the song has a lighter, fun, off-beat flavor to it with Seth MacFarlane singing. And Sara Bareilles? Well, there’s nothing she can’t sing the heck out of. For me, the mix of MacFarlane and Bareilles provided the perfect soundtrack for a “getting-to-know-you,” scenario.
As their drive continues, an annoying version of Jingle Bells segues into something soft and poignant: “something about december”—Christina Perri.
The melody, lyrics and Christina’s amazing pipes, causes Brett to impulsively listen to his heart, and ask Lilly out on a date.
Back in the barn, B.B. King serenades Brett with “Merry Christmas Baby” through an old, beat-up radio. Brett walks in and discovers Lilly, precariously perched on an unstable ladder, hanging Christmas decorations: “Merry Christmas Baby”—B.B. King.
Back to “Jingle Bells.” The song isn’t annoying when it’s handled properly and this version soothes Lilly as she walks through the department store searching for her brother’s gift.
“Jingle Bells”—Jim Brickman (piano-instrumental).
As the story progresses, Brett is searching for Lilly at the Napa Grand Hotel. He enters the dimly lit ballroom and finds his heart in his throat as he scans the couples dancing to: “Our Love is Here to Stay”—Natalie Cole. There are countless versions of this song and many singers do a wonderful job with it, but this adaptation is special. The band doesn’t overwhelm Natalie’s vocals, and sounds like sexy quartet I imagined playing, under blue lights, at a small, cozy Christmas party.
Finally, Brett leads Lilly to the dance floor for their first dance together. In Brett’s arms, the lights in the room swirl, and Lilly closes her eyes. Lost in the song, she remembers when Brett asked what she wanted for Christmas that and becomes lost in the song and: “That’s What I Want for Christmas”—Nancy Wilson.
Auth
ors note: This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Nancy Wilson never fails to deliver the words that carry me through the season: “The present that I want, you’ll never find in any window. Bring me love, and bring it just for me.”
Wishing you and yours, health, happiness, love and joy throughout the season and the new year.
xo-Kate
Listen to the playlist on Spotify.
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Cover photo: svet
