LITMIR.BIZ

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      Dammit, I wished I’d thought of that. Before I could say anything to Amory, she’d taken her phone out and was making a note about it. Great minds and all that.

      Aunt Bessie sashayed in with a tray of gingerbread coffees, the spicy, nutty scent peppering the air. “Get these down, would you, so we can crack open the champagne already.”

      We each took a mug, and Millie had her own gingerbread milkshake, topped with whipped cream and the most enormous chocolate donut. “That’ll ruin her dinner, Aunt Bessie,” I said, picturing Millie dosed up on all that sugar, careening around the lodge.

      “Hush now, who called the fun police? It’s Christmas, last time I checked.”

      I shook my head ruefully. There was no winning when it came to Aunt Bessie and her donuts.

      ***

      “Urgh,” said Amory clutching her tummy. “How are we supposed eat a proper meal? I’m still full from afternoon tea.”

      Sure enough, like she did every year, Aunt Bessie had doled out some pre-feast snacks, so we’d managed to polish off piles of her latest creations, donuts in every shape and flavor you could imagine, some with candyfloss, others filled with luscious chocolate ganache. Mom had baked a pumpkin chiffon pie which had been demolished too. She’d come so far with her cooking over the years, and had also put on some much-needed weight. That haunted look she’d worn for so long was gone, and it made me smile just looking at her.

      “Too bad,” I said, feeling decidedly sleepy myself. “We have to feast and feast we will.” I pulled my best friend up by the hand, the cat jumping from her lap, but the dogs near her feet snoring away, oblivious.

      “Mom,” I said, entering the warmth of the kitchen. “We’ll set the table, yeah? Do you need help with anything else?”

      She looked down her specs at me, and wiped her hands on her reindeer apron. “Set the table, and light the candles, and we’ll be ready in five. Millie needs her face washed, she got into the gravy.”

      “The gravy?” That child was a bottomless pit.

      “She loves it.”

      I called to her as Amory and I went into the dining room to prepare the table. Our color theme this year was silver and white and as much bling as we could find. It suited the winter wonderland feel the lodge had at this time of year.

      “Yeah?” Millie said, poking her little blonde head around the door. To my surprise she was dressed in her Christmas outfit, a frilly green dress, with matching headband, and her face was clean, her hair neatly held back.

      “Aw, you look beautiful,” I said, snatching her up for a hug. “Very festive.”

      “Daddy made me take a bath.” She rolled her deep-blue eyes.

      “You probably had gravy from head to toe.”

      “Yeah. Can we open the presents now?”

      “Soon.” I kissed her cheek as she wiggled to get down.

      Each year we handed out presents to one another on Christmas Eve as had become tradition. On Christmas Day our friends would visit their own families, and we’d go to Aunt Bessie’s to repeat the festivities. Millie knew she was in for a treat and couldn’t contain herself.

      “How soon?”

      Kai snuck in dressed in a black-knit sweater and denim jeans. He looked every inch a Vermonter these days, and less like a nomadic yogi. Golly, the guy took my breath away. “My little cherub can’t wait another moment for a present!” He scooped her up and rained kisses over her face.

      “I can’t, not another minute! I’ve waited all day-y-y-y-y.”

      The rest of the gang took up places at the table, Aunt Bessie and Cruz dashing in and out with heavenly scented dishes, my mouth watering despite what I’d eaten that day.

      “Give that child a gift!” Aunt Bessie cried out. “We’ll be another few minutes at least.”

      Amory bent to the tree and took a candy cane-wrapped box. “For you,” she said, kissing the tip of her nose. We exchanged a smile as Millie dashed the paper off in seconds, and let out a squeal. “Ice skates!” She kicked off her ballet flats and went to put them on.

      “No, no,” I said, laughing. “You can’t wear them inside! After lunch tomorrow, Daddy and I will take you skating on the lake.”

      “Tomorrow?” her voice pitched. “That’s for ever away!”

      Kids! Time moved so much slower for them.

      Amory bent and helped Millie put her ballet flats back on. “How about I get here bright and early and take you? Once you’ve opened up all of the gifts Santa brings you…”

      Mollified, she beamed. “Yes!”

      I knew Amory had matching skates, and they’d look a picture zooming around the ice hand in hand.

      Millie opened the rest of her gifts, while we finished setting the table.

      Amory winked and took fidgety Brooklyn from her capsule. There were presents for the baby too, Christmas books made from felt, and a rocking horse from Micah.

      We sat down to eat, Mom and Aunt Bessie fussing with the placement of dishes, while I poured champagne for the table, and sparkling apple juice for Millie.

      “A toast,” I said, as everyone took their places. “To another wonderful year at the lodge with the greatest family and friends anyone could have.”

      We stood and clinked glasses, laughing as we tried to edge around each other’s outstretched arms. Just then Millie piped up. “Oh, yeah, I almost forgot,” she said, lifting her finger. “Mom, Daddy has this big sparkly ring for you in his pocket…” Before she could say any more Kai clamped a hand over her mouth.

      Everyone froze.

      “I forget just how good those little ears are,” Kai said, gently tugging Millie’s earlobe.

      Again the room fell silent. It could be a dress ring, an eternity ring, a pendant even, I told myself. It might not have been a wedding ring… I’d almost gotten used to the fact I’d planned the most glamourous weddings, yet had never walked down the aisle myself. We were busy, then we had the children and were even busier. And we loved each other, which was all that mattered, right?

      But still, my heart pumped with hope.

      “Well,” Kai said, taking my hand. “This wasn’t exactly how I planned this.” And then he dropped to one knee. “Clio, will you marry me?”

      I blinked back happy tears, but I was lost for words. Until Amory coughed and motioned for me to respond. Oh, right! “Yes, my answer is yes!”

      While I knew Kai loved me with his whole heart, I was a wedding and event planner, dammit, and I knew we’d have the most wonderful wedding that ever was. The wedding I’d been dreaming of since I was a young girl. And we’d have it right here, at Cedarwood Lodge, where I first clapped eyes on the man of my dreams…

       Christmas with a Tycoon

       The Italian’s Christmas Child

       Lynne Graham

       The Greek’s Christmas Bride

       Lynne Graham

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

       The

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