She lifted up to whisper in his ear, “Best sleigh ride ever.”
He grinned down at her as he took her hand and helped her from the sleigh, gathering their discarded gloves in the process. “Agreed.” He pecked a perfectly chaste kiss on her lips. It wasn’t enough to satiate the desire coursing through her body, but they were in the open and there were children nearby. She sighed. They’d have to keep it PG.
Inside, the barn was warm, heated by a freestanding stove.
“So your great-grandpa built this place?” Cliff tipped his head back.
Diana did the same, taking in the exposed beams and sturdy construction. “No. The two of them started the horse-drawn sleigh business, but it never really took off. They bought the land, though. The barn was built by my grandpa and then restored by my parents.”
He nodded, doubt clouding his eyes. She snuggled closer, hoping he remembered what she’d said earlier: that she liked him just the way he was. She more than liked him; she was in love with him. She probably had been for a while; she just hadn’t recognized the emotion, because it had grown slowly inside of her. Privately. She thought of all the goodies she’d baked for him. He’d teased her about the unicorn cupcakes, so she made them again and again—just to get a reaction out of him. But she’d also made fresh rolls and soup. And at Thanksgiving she took him a turkey casserole so she could have a few minutes on his porch. When something broke, she was excited for the excuse to invite him over. And he came. Every. Time. Showing that he was a man she could count on. Trust meant more to her than all the money in the world.
Cliff was the only man she could picture spending her life with—making a life with. Christmas really was a time of magic and miracles.
Aunt Willow got up and called everyone to attention. She started singing “Angels we Have Heard on High,” and everyone joined in.
Diana bit back all the words she wanted to shower over Cliff. Now wasn’t the time to declare her feelings. In fact, she’d have to wait until they were home and this whole fake dating/engagement was behind them. At least no one but her parents knew about the engagement part. Thankfully, they’d kept their lips sealed.
She glanced at Cliff as he sang quietly. His reverence for the beautiful song turned her heart to him even more.
If she could wait and do things right, then she might just be able to keep this man forever. Then every year she’d tell the story of how she fell in love with him on the Mistletoe Mile.
Chapter 16
Diana
Christmas morning dawned, and the sound of children tearing through wrapping paper filled the house. Each family had their own private tree in their room, where Santa would leave gifts and fill stockings. The extended family would gather for breakfast and then gifts after. Mom made sure everyone had something to open. Sometimes the gifts were personal. The children always got a toy, because she believed every child should have a toy for Christmas. Teenagers received Amazon gift cards except for the year they turned 16—that year they got a key chain and driving gloves to celebrate the milestone in their lives.
Diana loved the traditions her parents so carefully carried out each year. They were thoughtful and wrapped in love. She couldn’t wait to share them with Cliff. She’d taken extra care with her hair this morning, styling it in a messy, cute bun on top of her head and bringing sections down to frame her face—like his hands had done the night before. Oh my gosh, if she started thinking about his kisses, she was going to melt like a piece of caramel in front of the fire.
Deeming herself “kissable,” she rushed to the dining room. Cliff was already at the buffet table, his plate loaded with Christmas casserole and a sticky bun. He licked the stickiness off his fingers as they made eye contact. He was so yummy in his red Christmas sweater and jeans. Her body tingled all over.
She moved slower getting to him, savoring the anticipation. “Morning.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you.” She returned the kiss. He turned his head a little and their lips met. The room, the holiday music, and the clinking of silverware against plates all disappeared, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, ready to pick up where they’d left off in the sleigh.
“Ahem!” They broke apart to find the pastor standing before them. His glasses had slid down his nose, and his blue eyes were full of mischief. “I’d like some of that casserole—if you don’t mind.” His white eyebrows pumped.
Diana’s face flushed with embarrassment. She stepped back. “Sorry, Pastor Williams.”
He chuckled. “Don’t be. Young love is a reason to hope.”
Diana bit her lip, studying Cliff for his reaction to the wordlove. He didn’t say anything or give an indication that the word was a big deal.
“In fact,” continued the pastor, “I hope I’ll be the one to marry you two.”
A spike of panic shot through her veins. Her family grabbed on to weddings like children on Santa.
“You’re getting married?” shrieked Celine in horror and shock. Okay, she would be the one person who wouldn’t be excited. Celine had probably measured herself against Diana her whole life, figuring that as long as she was married before Diana, she wouldn’t be a total failure.
The whole room feel silent, and fifty heads swiveled their direction.
“Well. Uh …” Diana looked at Cliff for help. “We—”
“Oh!” Mom flapped her hands. “You might as well tell everyone.”
“Mom!” Diana scolded. She glanced at Cliff, who was looking at his plate like he’d just lost his appetite and couldn’t figure out what to do with it.
