Her Stand-In Fake Fiancé
Page 16
Travis, Brynlee, and Presley had all watched the video together, and it was as bad as she remembered. The worst part was what Marilyn had said to her. Kade’s family would never forgive her, and she didn’t blame them.
“No more crying,” Brynlee said, coming back into the guest room Presley was staying in. “Someone gave this to me after I broke up with my college boyfriend, and it was just what I needed.”
“A bottle of Jack Daniel’s,” Presley said, even though neither she or Brynlee drank.
“Ha ha.” Brynlee pulled the covers back. “Sit up so I can show you.”
Presley sat up and saw Brynlee clutching a wooden sign to her chest. “I met Travis a few months later, so I know it’s true.”
She turned the sign around and let Presley read it out loud. “Not to spoil the ending, but it will all be okay.”
“It is going to be okay,” Brynlee said. “I promise you.”
“But what if Kade doesn’t want to date me anymore?” Presley was pretty sure she’d cried all the tears out, but her eyes filled with moisture. “Even if he does, I doubt his family will ever speak to me again. You should’ve seen the looks on their faces.”
“Don’t you think their reaction had more to do with Jillian than you?” Brynlee asked.
“Not his mom.” Presley squeezed her eyes shut. “I mean, she was barely tolerating me before Jillian exposed me as a liar and a fake.”
“It will be okay,” Brynlee said again. “Go wash your face and put on a little makeup.” She winked at Presley. “I have it on good authority that Santa left you a few presents under the tree too.”
“They better not be presents you were supposed to get,” Presley said.
“Nope, they are definitely not mine.” She patted Presley’s leg. “Come on, it’s Christmas morning and…”
“It will all be okay,” Presley said, wishing she could believe that.
It took her fifteen minutes to put on her makeup, so she didn’t look like she had dark circles under her eyes. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor greeted her with a cup of hot cocoa and a cheerful Merry Christmas when Presley arrived in the living room.
Brynlee was sitting on Travis’s lap, both of them wearing matching Santa hats. “Merry Christmas,” Presley said. She smiled and took a seat on the chair next to Travis and Brynlee. She was determined not to ruin anyone else’s Christmas.
As Mr. Taylor distributed the gifts from under the tree, Presley imagined what Christmas morning was like at Kade’s cabin. She wished she could be there to see Maddie and Brooklyn get matching dollhouses with all the accessories a little girl could ever want. Jenny and Laura were getting American Girl dolls that had been specially ordered to look like them. Jamie even had matching dresses for the girls to wear with their dolls. Lucas was getting a new Star Wars Legos set that Cody might be just as excited to play with.
“Presley, it’s your turn,” Brynlee said.
Presley blinked and realized everyone was waiting for her to open her gift. “Sorry,” she said, glancing down at the package. There was a tag addressed to Presley from Tiny Tad. “Who’s Tiny Tad?”
“Santa’s special elf,” Brynlee answered. “It says it in the fine print.”
“Thanks, Tiny Tad,” Presley said, rereading the name tag, this time seeing the small writing along the bottom of the paper. She ripped the paper and opened the box to find a gingerbread house kit. Tears stung her eyes as she pulled it from the box. Tiny Tad had no way of knowing that this would remind her of Kade’s family tradition. “This is awesome,” she said, glancing at Mrs. Taylor. She was likely Tiny Tad. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank, Mom,” Brynlee said. “Tiny Tad brought it.”
“Right,” Presley said, unable to hold back a laugh. She loved Brynlee and couldn’t wait until Travis married her.
Another round of gifts was opened with Presley going last again. Not surprisingly, this gift was from Santa’s elf too. Peeling off the wrapping paper, she opened the lid of the box to find a Christmas ornament made from glass with the words It’s Not Easy Being a Princess etched into it. “Ah, this is so sweet,” she said, holding up the ornament. “Where did you find it?”
“Tiny Tad, remember?” Brynlee said.
“I love it.” She placed the ornament back into the box and accepted another gift from Mr. Taylor.
Brynlee opened two gifts since she had the most under the tree. Presley was last again. Prying the lid from the box, she almost stopped breathing as she stared at the gift. It was the yellow Christmas village house with the dancing couple in the window. “How did you get this?” Her voice sounded thick, and she gently cleared her throat. “And don’t tell me it’s from Tiny Tad.”
“But it is from Tiny Tad,” a man’s voice said from behind her. “He’s been coming to our family for several generations.”
A flood of emotions ripped through Presley like a tornado and hurricane making landfall at the same time. She turned and saw Kade standing there, dressed in a pair of Christmas PJ’s that made him look both sexy and adorable. She wanted to run into his arms but decided to wait and see exactly why he was here.
“You came after me?” she asked, unable to wait another moment for an explanation.
“Yeah,” Kade said, looking a little unsure of himself. “I got here last night and slept in the Taylor’s guest house.”
“Kade, but what about your family?”
Giving her a censuring look, he came around and held out his hand. “You left me last night.” She placed her palm against his, and he tugged a little to help her stand up. “Don’t ever leave me again,” he said before wrapping his arms around her and kissing her thoroughly. Presley melted like chocolate too close to the fire as Kade worked Christmas magic with his mouth, making her not care that her brother was watching his best friend kiss his sister.
“I love you,” Kade whispered against her lips.
Gasping, she leaned back to catch her breath and looked into his smoldering eyes. “What did you just say?”
Grinning, Kade pressed a light kiss to her lips. “I love you, Presley.” He kissed her again. “I love you and want to spend forever with you.”
Presley was too stunned to speak. Heck, she could hardly breathe.
“Psst,” Brynlee said. “This is where you tell him you love him too.”
“I love you too.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “But what about your family?”
“My family adores you.”
Unable to believe him, she dropped her chin and pressed her forehead into his chest. “How can they after I lied to them about us being engaged?”
Kade’s soft laughter rumbled in his chest. “Presley, you didn’t lie to them.”
She tipped her face up and narrowed her eyes. “Um, yeah, it’s all over the internet.”
“Jillian’s version is all over the internet.” Kade let go of her and produced the black ring box, holding it out in front of him. “I was about to make an honest woman out of you when Jillian crashed the scene.”
Kade dropped to one knee, making Presley draw in another sharp breath. “Kade,” she said, covering her mouth with her hand. “What are you doing?” she asked through her shaking fingers.
“Presley Windsor, I love you more than I ever thought was possible, and I promise to love you every day that we have together. Please make this the best Christmas ever and say that you’ll marry me?”
Presley tried not to cry. She didn’t want to mess up her makeup again, but the tears came anyway. Especially when Kade opened the lid to reveal the most gorgeous ring she’d ever seen. “Is this Grandma Hunter’s ring?” she asked, staring at the platinum setting with a large diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds.
“It’s your ring now, but only if you say yes.”
“Yes,” she said with a breathless laugh. “I said yes, didn’t’ I?”
“You did now,” Travis said. He and Brynlee were standing close, both of them smiling. “Let the guy put the ring on your finger already.”
“Okay.” He started to slide it on, but Presley stopped him. “Wait, I’m serious about your family. Your mother must hate me.”
“Do you trust me?” Kade asked in a serious voice.
“Yes,” Presley said, nodding her head.
Without saying another word, Kade slid the beautiful ring onto her finger. It was a little snug but not too uncomfortable. His eyes traced her face as he stood up and lifted her left hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to her knuckles.
Brynlee squealed and moved in for a hug. “Congratulations!” she said, squeezing all the air out of Presley’s lungs. “I’m so happy for you.”
Travis was next, picking her up and hugging her tightly. “I’m so happy for you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. Then he turned to Kade and gave him a quick, hard hug. “So does this mean you’re my little brother now?” he teased.
“I’m older than you and taller by an inch, so no,” Kade said, slugging him playfully in the arm.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor congratulated both of them, welcoming Kade to the family.
Presley held out her left hand, letting the diamond catch the light. “It’s so beautiful,” she said, rising on her toes to kiss Kade. “Thank you,” she murmured against his lips. “You are the best Christmas surprise I’ll ever get.”
“I have one more surprise,” Kade said, taking her by the hand and leading her toward the front door. “Close your eyes.” He let go of her hand. “And no peeking until I tell you.”
Presley squeezed her eyes shut and felt the cool morning air drift over her when he opened the door. “Can I look yet?” Presley asked, pretty sure she heard voices that sounded like kids.
“You can look,” Kade said, threading his fingers through hers and pulling her outside.
“Merry Christmas!” Kade’s family shouted when Presley opened her eyes. She blinked a few times to clear her vision, but Kade’s entire family was still there, all of them wearing the exact same Christmas pajamas as Kade had on.
“Did she say yes?” Stacie called out, her baby bump looking so cute in the thermal type pajamas.
Presley held up her left hand. “I said yes!” she said, still unable to believe Kade’s family had driven all the way to Oceanside on Christmas morning.
The group converged on her, the children reaching her first. Presley finally understood the meaning of the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes as she hugged every single child, loving their little arms around her. Next, Cody, Devon, and Greg hugged her, welcoming her to the family. Kade’s sisters were next. It was more like a big group hug as they thanked her for giving their brother a second chance.
The last two people to approach her were Kade’s mom and stepdad. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart,” Ben said, hugging her. “You’re good for our family, and we look forward to many more Christmases with you and Kade.”
Presley gave him an extra hug before facing Kade’s mom. Marilyn looked like she’d been crying. Was that because she didn’t want to be here? “I’m so sorry,” Presley said.
Marilyn shook her head. “You have nothing to apologize for.” Her eyes shimmered with tears as she reached out and took Presley’s hands in hers. “I’m the one who needs to apologize.” She glanced at Kade. “To both of you. I was blinded by what I thought was best.” She gave Kade a warm smile. “I’m so proud of the man you are, Kade, and I’m sorry for not telling you that sooner.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Kade said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Marilyn looked at Presley. “I truly am sorry,” she said, squeezing Presley’s fingers. “And I hope you can forgive me.”
“I already have,” Presley said. “I love your son, and I promise I’ll keep him in line for you.”
“Hey,” Kade said as his siblings doubled over in laughter. “I’m not that bad.”
While Presley enjoyed making the others laugh, it was the radiant smile on Marilyn’s face that filled her with joy, making her body feel as light as a balloon filled with helium. “You, darling girl, are his perfect match.”
“Thank you, Marilyn.” Presley blinked rapidly so she didn’t start bawling again. “That means a lot to me.”
Marilyn held out her arms, and Presley stepped into the hug, inhaling Marilyn’s expensive perfume. “I don’t want you to call me Marilyn,” Kade’s mom said, pulling back but keeping her hands on Presley’s shoulders. “I want you to call me Mom.”
“Mom,” Presley repeated. “I love that name, and I haven’t used it for a very long time.”
Now Marilyn was the one blinking rapidly. “Don’t make me cry,” she said, waving her hand in front of her face.
“Grammy,” Jenny and Laura said in unison. “Can we give Aunt Presley her present now?’
“Oh my gosh,” Presley said, leaning into Kade’s side. “They just called me Aunt Presley.”
He laughed and pressed a kiss on the top of her head as the girls handed Presley a gift wrapped box. “Is this one from Tiny Tad too?” Presley asked, looking for a name tag.
“No, it’s from all of us,” Marilyn said.
Presley had the twins help her rip away the paper. Lifting the lid, she stared at the final gift as if she’d just received a check for a million dollars. “These are for me?” she asked, hugging the box to her chest. “I have to go put them on.”
Feeling like she couldn’t be any happier, Presley raced into the guest bedroom and stripped out of her clothes. Without taking the tags off, she donned the matching Christmas pajamas Kade and his family was wearing.
“Ta da,” she said, striking a pose on the front porch.
While the family cheered, Kade snagged her around the waist and gave her a quick peck. “I’m not done kissing you,” he said, taking her hand and leading her off of the front porch. “But first, it’s family picture time.”
Brynlee was into photography and had taken some online classes after Travis gave her a high-end digital camera for her birthday last month. With Travis’s help, she ordered Kade’s family where to stand. They were grouped in families with Marilyn and Ben standing in the center. “Let’s have Kade and Presley stand in the middle too,” Brynlee asked when she and Kade didn’t know where to stand.
The only time Presley had ever been in a group photo this big was when she was in grade school, and it was class picture day. Brynlee took several pictures of them all smiling. The kids started getting restless, so she had them all make funny faces.
“One more,” Greg said, who was just behind Presley and Kade. “With mistletoe hanging above the newly engaged couple.” He dangled a familiar sprig of green over their heads.
“We have to kiss,” Presley said, tipping her face up to Kade. “It’s tradition.”
“And a fun one at that,” Kade said, lowering his head to meet her lips in a kiss filled with Christmas magic, tenderness mixed in with a current of passion, and the promise to love her forever.
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Thank you so much for reading Catch a Falling Star. If you liked it, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review for it on Amazon and GoodReads. I’m excited about the books I have coming out in 2020, including more Hudson Brothers Romances! If you’d like to receive updates on my books, as well as notices about new releases and sales on books from authors like me, please sign up for my Newsletter and receive a FREE copy of The Cowboy’s Accidental Bride just for signing up.
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All the best,
Cindy
Also by Cindy Roland Anderson
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Georgia Moon Romance Series
Under a Georgia Moon
Just a Kiss in the Moonlight
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Snow Valley Romance Series
An Unexpected Kiss
Catching Caytie
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Caught Kissing the Cowboy
Her Stand-in Fake Fiancé
Country Brides & Cowboy Boots Series
The Cowboy’s Accidental Bride
Navy SEAL Romances 2.0
The Rogue Warrior
Hudson Brothers Romance
Catch a Falling Star
Under the Mistletoe: A Timeless Romance Anthology
Forgotten Kisses
Big Sky: Timeless Western Collection
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About the Author
Cindy Roland Anderson is an Amazon best-selling author who writes clean, contemporary romance with a combination of humor, romantic tension and some pretty great kissing scenes. She and her husband live in northern Utah, and are parents to five children, and grandparents to seven adorable grandchildren. She is a registered nurse and has worked in the NICU as well as the newborn nursery. She loves to read, almost as much as she loves writing. And she loves chocolate…probably a little too much.
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