Her Christmas Wish

by Nicole Highland

  He was just about to sit down and get comfortable when the image of the snow globe popped into his mind. “Oh, wait right here. I’ll be right back.”

  He returned with the gift box in hand, ready to present her with the gift. “For you,” he said, handing her the box. “I know Christmas is over, but when I saw it today, I thought of you and how much you love the holidays.”

  He took a seat beside her, watching eagerly as she peeled back the shimmery paper and tossed it aside.

  “It’s heavy, whatever it is,” she said.

  Her eyes lit up in surprise, and glittery flakes danced as she pulled it from the box and held it up to the light. “It’s beautiful! Cole, this is so sweet.”

  She outstretched her arms, pulling him into a hug. “Thank you so much. It’s wonderful.”

  His breath hitched at the feel of her warm body heat against his chest. “I’m glad you love it.” He leaned forward, kissing her on top of the head. “I’m going to go grab us a couple of glasses of wine.”

  Maddie stared wistfully at the crackling fire, watching it dance and burn gracefully. There was something magical about it.

  Or maybe it was simply being in his presence that made everything feel a little more magical.

  Do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve?

  Maddie grinned as she looked down at the new text from Cole. She hadn’t been out for New Year’s Eve in years, and it was tempting. Although she had to admit, she would be sorely missing her night in with Livi and having a pajama party. But she had a feeling if she told her sister that Cole asked her out again, she knew what her response would be.

  She would resoundingly say yes.

  Nikki would just have to explain that Aunt Maddie had some grown-up things to do that night. Maddie glanced up, making sure a customer wasn’t walking in. For a moment, there was a little peace and quiet in the flower shop, and she was grateful for that. She typed back a quick response to Cole.

  No plans yet, but if you want to get together, I would love that. :)

  No sooner had she hit the send button, another text appeared, this time from Nikki.

  Are we still on for New Year’s?

  Maddie tossed the phone aside as a customer walked in. A tall, lanky brunette strolled to the desk, flipping her long, luscious waves behind her.

  “Hi, can I help you?” Maddie asked.

  The brunette shrugged. “I’m not here for any flowers, actually.”

  Maddie raised a brow. If she wasn’t there for flowers, then what else could she be there for? “Is there something else I can help you with then?”

  The woman heaved a heavy sigh. “Look, I realize you don’t know who I am, but I’m going to give you a piece of advice. Stay away from Cole Phillips. He’s in way over his head, and he’s still grieving. He doesn’t know what he wants right now.”

  Flabbergasted, Maddie stood frozen in place, unable to find her words. All she could do was stare wide-eyed at the woman in front of her. Her blood pounded furiously in her head.

  “All, I’m saying is, avoid him,” the woman continued. “It’s not worth the trouble. Trust me.”

  And with that, she turned away, leaving Maddie with more questions than answers.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  With confusion and pain coursing through her veins, Maddie picked up her phone, frantically dialing Cole’s number. Customers be damned, she was going to get to the bottom of this one way or another. Anxiety built inside her as each dial tone played over the airwaves, and when at last Cole finally picked up, she was practically fit to be tied.

  “Maddie, it’s good to hear from you.”

  His cheerful voice cut through her like knives. “Look, Cole, we need to talk. Some woman just barged right into the shop saying all this crazy crap about you.”

  Cole paused, completely unaware of what she could possibly be referring to. “What woman? I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

  “I don’t know, some brunette with long, flowy hair. She told me to stay away from you.”

  His blood boiled. There was only one woman that could possibly fit that bill.

  Tessa. It had to be her. And now, the million-dollar question was, how in the world did she possibly know about Maddie? Or where she worked?

  The answer went off like a lightbulb in his head. She had to have overheard him talking about Maddie to his boss. That was the only logical explanation he could possibly come up with.

  Damn it all. He really needed to find a different job.

  “Maddie, look, I can explain.”

  Hot, angry tears threatened to spill from her eyes. What little control she had over her emotions was all but gone now. “Are you just using me? Is that was this is to you? Some sort of rebound?”

  The words sliced through his heart, and he slammed his fist into the table. “No. No, it’s not. It’s never been like that. I would never do that to you.”

  “Then what is she talking about, then? Tell me!”

  “Maddie, please, let me come over tonight, and let’s talk about this. Please,” he pleaded. “I don’t want you to just shut down on me.”

  “Fine,” she huffed. “But you better have a really damn good explanation.”

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  With knots of dread coiled tightly in his chest, Cole sat in his car outside her home, anxiously awaiting Maddie’s arrival. Headlights beamed against his car, and a cold chill ran down his spine as he opened the car door to the cold, snowy night.

  “Well, you’re here,” she said, snidely.

  Her words stung, but he’d be damned if he let it get to him. “I’m a man of my word. I would’ve brought you flowers, but you already work at the best place in town, and that would’ve ruined the gesture if you already knew I was going to do it.”

  Her tone was as ice cold as the weather itself. “You don’t need to flatter me.” She fumbled with the key, wishing the door would open on the first try for once.

  “Do you need some help?”

  She jiggled it a few more times, feeling panic and annoyance rising in her chest. No luck. Heaving a sigh of anger, she tossed him the keys. “Deal with it if you think you can.”

  After a few tries, the door finally opened, and they scrambled inside, eager to leave the frigid cold behind.

  “You can sit down,” she said, motioning to the couch.

  Cole tossed his coat aside, taking a seat on the couch while Maddie prepared a pot of tea.

  “So what did you come here to say to me?”

  He raked a hand through his hair. “Look, I know the optics of all this are not great, but hear me out. I’m pretty sure the person you saw today was my ex, Tessa. She and I dated briefly before I met Heather.”

  Placing the kettle on the stove, she walked back to the living room, dreading the direction the conversation was going in. Anger colored her face. “And how does Tessa know who I am, or where I work?”

  “Well, that’s the thing. I work with her. We don’t work in the same department. In fact, she actually works on a completely different floor, but I’m guessing she overheard a conversation I’ve had about you with Michael. That’s the only thing I can think of.”

  Well, at least he’s being honest, she thought. Still, it wasn’t much comfort to know Tessa knew about her. Maddie’s brows lifted. “Wait, you were talking about me to your boss?”

  She wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or weirded out by that little fact.

  Cole shrugged. “All the time, actually. He’s glad I’m finally happy.”

  “But are you really? Tessa seems to think you’re not ready to start dating again.”

  Cole ran a hand through his hair. “And you know what? She isn’t me. Only I can decide when I’m ready to do something or not. And my guess is, she probably told you that just to get you away from me. She and I didn’t connect like I wanted to, and she’s never been able to swallow that. She’s been trying to get back with me for years. ”

  Something inside Maddie’s mind clicked. It
did make sense. Maybe Tessa was just trying to snuff out her competition.

  “So, are you completely sure about this? About us? Because if not, just tell me now. I don’t want to waste my time.”

  He rose from the couch, meeting her where she stood. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

  There was no hesitation, no uncertainty in his voice, that much she knew. Maddie’s eyes grew misty. “You promise?”

  Her voice trembled, and the sound of her faltering voice made Cole’s heart ache. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. “I can promise you that.”

  Maddie’s chest heaved as an uncontrollable sob escaped her, and Cole hugged her a little tighter, wishing his embrace could take all her pain and uncertainty away.

  Light floral notes wafted to his nose as Maddie buried her face against his chest. He placed a soft kiss to her head. “I promise I will never let you go.”

  Maddie slept soundly, knowing the storm between her and Cole had passed, and when she woke the next morning, she was at ease, feeling like all was right in the world. She raised her arms high above her head, letting her muscles stretch after a long night of heavy slumber.

  At least she and Cole were on the same page now. Thank heavens.

  Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, skittering across the desk from the motion, and she caught it before it reached the third ring.

  “Hello?” Maddie almost dropped the phone onto the floor. Still half-awake, she ran a hand through her hair and waited to see what her sister had to say.

  “Why did you not respond to the text I sent yesterday?”

  Maddie’s eyes went wide, and the sudden surge of adrenaline brought her from her slumber. “Oh, crap. I am so, so sorry. Yesterday was so crazy.” She heaved a heavy sigh. “I was going to text you back.”

  “So, is everything okay?”

  Maddie could hear the slight tinge of panic in her voice. “Yeah, everything’s fine now. No need to worry.”

  “Okay. But you better not be lying to me,” she scolded.

  Maddie sat up in bed. “No, I’m not. I promise. So why are you calling at such a ridiculously early hour?”

  “To ask you what I was going to ask you yesterday. What are your plans for New Year’s Eve? You do remember it’s coming up, right?”

  Maddie slumped back against her pillow. “Crap. Yeah, I’m not going to be able to make it. I know Livi’s probably not going to be very happy, but… I kinda have a grown-up thing I need to do.”

  “Ooh, a grown-up thing. And what might this be?”

  Maddie smiled, practically envisioning her sister’s brows rising to her forehead. “Cole is taking me out. He’s planned out some sort of surprise.”

  “Oh, that sounds fun! Well, I’ll come up with something to tell Livi. We will miss you this year, but I understand.”

  “Thanks,” Maddie said. “I just hope we have a good time.”

  “Something tells me you will. I just know it.”

  Off in the distance, flashes of color lit up the night sky, leaving paths of glitter shimmering in their wake. Midnight was still a few hours away, yet the New Year’s Eve festivities had already begun. Maddie sat back on her couch, gazing out the window. One could only hope the new year would bring the promise of happiness.

  And maybe a little more romance, too. A girl could dream, couldn’t she?

  A knock at the door sent Maddie flying out of her seat with excitement. She didn’t bother peeking through the peephole; she already knew who it was, and excitement thrummed through her veins in anticipation. The arctic air hit her like a wall as she opened the door.

  “You look amazing,” he said, his eyes drinking her in.

  “Thank you.” A warm flush colored her cheeks. “So where are we off to first?”

  “Follow me and let’s head off to stop number one.”

  Still adorned in lights, the town’s nightlife flew by in a red and green blur as the two headed to the heart of downtown. Parking lot after parking lot was full, and finally, after some time of searching, Cole finally found an empty spot in one of the lots, and the two ventured off into the night.

  “So, any guesses as to what stop number one will be?” he asked, slipping his hand into Maddie’s.

  “Mmm… I’m not sure. Is it very far from here?”

  “Nope, it’s right up here on the corner.”

  Maddie’s eyes lit up as bright as Christmas lights. A beautiful, horse-drawn carriage sat waiting for its next passengers. She clasped her hands to her mouth.

  “Oh my gosh, I’ve always wanted to do this! How did you know?”

  Cole picked Maddie up off her feet, twirling her around, and she shrieked with delight.

  “Lucky guess, I suppose. See, I knew you would love it. Now come on, our chariot awaits.”

  Cole helped her up into the carriage, then reached across the seat, grabbing the thick, wool blanket that had been tossed aside. Maddie smoothed it out, covering her legs for warmth.

  “Hey, don’t hog the entire blanket now,” he teased.

  She let go of her tight grip, letting Cole have a small section of the blanket, and a playful twinkle glimmered in her eyes. “Happy now?”

  He leaned in, kissing her cheek, sending heat flowing all the way to her toes. “Thoroughly. Now I can sit back, relax and enjoy.”

  Under the cover of the blanket, their hands found each other, entwining in a tender embrace. There was a certain magic in the air as the fresh, glittering snow fell. Maddie couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so alive, so… so happy. She wasn’t one to consider herself an unhappy person, but meeting Cole amplified the happiness she felt inside.

  How grateful she was to have such a wonderful man in her life, who had all the qualities of her own ideal Prince Charming.

  Christmastime really was a time for miracles. And perhaps her prayers had been answered.

  “It’s so beautiful… seeing the city like this, I mean.”

  Cole glanced over at her. All the wonder of Christmas was there in her eyes, and what a beautiful sight that was. “Yes, it really is.”

  “Thank you for bringing us here tonight,” she said wistfully.

  Maddie leaned into him, nuzzling her head against his shoulder. Had it not been for their fingers being entwined, he would’ve pulled her close, but for now, he didn’t want to let go.

  “Don’t thank me just yet. There’s plenty more to come.”

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  “You mean to tell me you’ve never seen the fireworks display down here?” Cole asked.

  Maddie shook her head and pulled her hood over her face. “No, I haven’t."

  “You are definitely in for a real treat, then.”

  “I hope so. One thing’s for sure, I’ve never been here during the wintertime before,” she said.

  “Just imagine how awful it would be to watch them play if they did have to play in the wintertime.”

  Maddie shivered. “That would be terrible.”

  The snow was falling heavier now, and she clung to Cole for warmth as they waited in line. Thankfully, the line had been moving quickly, and they were only a few feet away from entering the ball diamond. Soon it would be packed, and blazes of color would shoot across the sky.

  What a wonderful way to end out the year.

  The two took their seats, ready for the festivities to start. Dozens of people were pouring in now, huddling under the overhang for as long as they could. But, despite the frigid air, Maddie was determined to tough it out at all costs, if that meant having the best seat in the house.

  “I should’ve brought a blanket of my own.”

  Maddie blew her breath into her hands. “And I wish I would’ve remembered to grab my other set of gloves.”

  He heaved a heavy sigh. “It’s my fault. I should’ve forewarned you about what I had planned.”

  “No, it was nice having a surprise. It made tonight a lot more special.”

  “You sure?” He brushed his hand aga
inst her cheek.

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  Cole pulled his phone from his pocket. “T-Minus five minutes. It’s amazing how fast this year went.”

  Truly it had, and Maddie wished she would’ve met Cole sooner. Much sooner.

  “Yes, it is. At least we get to end it on a high note.”

  And oh, what a high note it would be, he thought. If all went well, perhaps by the end of the upcoming year, she would be his. Forever.

  An announcer came on the loudspeaker, and festive music filled the air as an endless spray of glittering fireworks shot across the sky. The crowd roared with approval while the music played on, and Maddie sunk into Cole’s side, happy that her heart finally felt at home.

  “Here’s to hoping this will be our best year yet, and that we will enjoy everything it has to offer. Together.”

  “I sure hope so,” Maddie sighed.

  The stroke of midnight finally came, and with all the softness and tenderness in his kiss, Maddie knew her Christmas wish had finally come true.

  Thank God she had wished upon a star.

  Taking a deep breath, Cole slipped his hand into his pocket, feeling the smooth velveteen box against the tips of his fingers. He smiled to himself, feeling more confident than he’d ever been in his whole life about the question is about to ask.

  In a few short months, Maddie Barnes had managed to flip his world upside down in all the best ways.

  Now it was his turn to rock her world. Maybe her Valentine’s Days of years past had been less than perfect, but that was then.

  This was now.

  His only focus was on the future; their future together.

  Just the way it should be.

  Still, nervousness coiled in his stomach as he pressed the doorbell. A long beat or two passed before Maddie arrived, looking beautiful and radiant as always.

  Light snowflakes were falling now, and it didn’t take long for Maddie to realize something was off. They weren’t heading further into town.