Me:Expert advice. It worked.
Grammy:Excellent. I’ve set a place for Tasha and your grandfather’s hanging extra mistletoe.
Elias laughed. Extra mistletoe sounded perfect.
“I’m ready.” Tasha came out in black pants, a red sweater, and a poinsettia scarf around her neck. “A skater from the show gave me the scarf. Will this outfit do?”
His breath caught in his throat. She was stunning.
Her smile filled him with joy. “I take it that’s a yes.”
Not trusting his voice, Elias moved over to her.
Forget the mistletoe. They had their own kind of Christmas magic right there. He went closer—a man on a mission. “You’re gorgeous.”
She opened her mouth, and he kissed her. A kiss full of warmth and possibilities. She returned his kiss, running her fingers through his hair.
Best Christmas ever?
Yeah. At least until next year.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
On the fifth day of Christmas, December twenty-ninth, Tasha didn’t think she would receive one gold ring, let alone five, but she imagined one on her left ring finger anyway. Not today, but in the future.
Joy overflowed inside her. Was it too soon to be thinking so far ahead?
Maybe, but when all her dreams were coming true in ways she never imagined, she allowed herself the indulgence. Christmas with Elias’s family had been wonderful. As soon as they’d walked through the door, Grammy had maneuvered them under the mistletoe to the delight of Elias’s grandfather and dad. The holiday hadn’t been the same as if she’d been with her family, but that was fine. She’d enjoyed having a Carpenter Christmas.
Unfortunately, her time in Berry Lake was running out. Tasha had one more Christmas wish—she wished time would freeze like the top layer of Berry Lake.
Silly, yes. But…
A sideward glance showed her Elias sitting next to her on an old fallen log with Higgins at his feet.
Her pulse kicked up a notch as if in the warm-up phase. A typical—and welcome—reaction around Elias. Forever with them sounded awesome. If only…
Tasha sighed. Her long exhale hung on the chilly air like a fluffy cloud. The only thing missing? Blue skies, but she didn’t mind winter’s overcast gray. She pictured a sunny, bluebird day. Funnily enough, she didn’t see the ocean in her daydream.
Elias laced his ice skates. “You look deep in thought.”
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
Neither was good at sharing their feelings until pushed to the brink, but both were trying to do better. “How wonderful being here is. I’m not ready to stop celebrating the twelve days of Christmas.”
He touched her arm, a soft gesture that reaffirmed their connection and his being by her side, no matter what.
“You don’t have to.” Elias squeezed. “There are still seven days to go.”
Except they wouldn’t be together for those.
Tasha’s shoulders sagged but only for an instant. Nothing would ruin her remaining time there. She wouldn’t let it. “I heard from the cottage’s owner. You were right about a new owner. He takes possession on January first, so I can’t extend my stay beyond the thirty-first. I should get back to Wishing Bay, anyway.”
As soon as the words were out, she regretted saying them. That was fear talking. With the rink closed, she didn’t have to be anywhere.
“If that’s what you want to do, fine. A few hours apart won’t change the way I feel about you.” Elias cupped the side of her face with his gloved hand. “But I have two spare bedrooms. You’re welcome to either.”
