Breck put his arm around her and hugged her close. “He looked like my grandpa—same coat, same boots, same hair.”
Her mouth fell open. “He had gray eyes—just like you.” They both turned and stared down the street in the direction they thought he’d walked. “He’s gone.”
Breck shook his head. “I don’t think he’s too far away.” He ran his thumb along her jaw and then bent to kiss her.Thanks, Grandpa, he thought. Spending Christmas with Harmony was the best gift he’d ever been given.
Chapter Sixteen
Christmas Eve
Harmony
Ayule log cracked in the fireplace while Harmony and Breck drank Grandma’s eggnog. Bing Crosby sang softly in the background. The stockings were hung by the mantel with care and presents bulged under the tree.
“I think my parents like you.” Harmony angled herself toward him.
Breck’s arm rested on the back of the couch, and he began to play with her loose curls. “I hope so. They’re wonderful people. I can see so much of them in you.”
She leaned into his hand, and he cupped her cheek. “All I ever wanted was to be like them.”
He smiled softly, his eyes dipping to her lips. She leaned in, inviting a Christmas Eve kiss.
Breck took his time, leaving her breathless and giddy all at once. He hugged her close and she melted into him, not at all surprised that she fit just right.
“I love you, Harmony,” he whispered into her hair. She sighed into him, his strong body accepting and supporting her. “I know it’s crazy, and I’m not trying to scare you off. I feel it so strongly. I’m sorry if it’s too soon.”
She lifted up so she could look him in the eye. “It’s not crazy, because I feel it too.”
His eyes softened and he ran his hand through her hair.
“I love you, Breck. I’ve been hoping for you all my life.”
He kissed her in response. And it was perfect: the warmth from the fire, the lights on the tree, and the sweet eggnog dancing on their lips. Harmony’s heart lifted and healed and grew all at the same time. Breck was a future she wanted to embrace. His kiss said that he wanted to love and be loved. That was all. There were no strings, no games, no agendas. Just love.
Pure and simple love between them.
That was a Christmas gift she would cherish forever.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Breck
“No messing with the act this time,” Breck said out of the corner of his mouth before he rushed onstage.
Harmony’s laugh did little to assuage his worry. Ever since her Christmas surprise with the melting snowman, she’d looked for ways to astonish him—throwing in twists to his illusions. His followers—well, their followers—on MyHeartChannel loved it when she got him.
But tonight they were performing for a private group. It was his highest-paid live gig to date, and he was nervous. Harmony would waddle onstage in the melting snowman costume after he’d warmed up the crowd with a few simple tricks and some dad jokes.
The last year had brought a lot of changes into his life, all of them magnificent.
First, his channel had gone viral. The melting snowman with a side of romance was a hit. He and Harmony made enough money that he didn’t have to find a videographer job and she was able to work part time. They put together several more acts for each holiday but decided to keep the channel nameChristmas Magicbecause it had brought them together.
Second, he’d started a second business performing live. Of course, his lovely assistant was on hand to make sure things went smoothly—or didn’t; if she felt like throwing a kink in things, she did that too. He loved that she was deeply invested and having a lot of fun.
Third—and this probably should have been first—they’d gotten married last Easter. The wedding was beautiful but simple. She didn’t want a big affair, and he only wanted her. They tied the knot on a boat in the harbor, the ship’s captain performing the marriage ceremony and the crew serving dinner to their 20 guests.
Focusing on the crowd, which he could hardly see because of the spotlights, he fell into performance mode. He did a card trick with the president of the company who’d hired them to perform at the Christmas party. The guy loved it. He’d recommend them to his golf buddies for sure. Then Breck gave the introduction for the melting snowman trick. They’d managed to work it out so only a puddle was left onstage and he’d jump into it. The crowds loved it.
