The Christmas Tree Guy (40 page)

“Yes, I know. I want to be with you and if that means I have to pack up the boys and move to Timbuktu, then I will. I just want to wake up each and every day with you.” Tears were now streaming from her eyes and she didn’t try and hold them back. “Life without you in it just isn’t a life I want.”

Both stood in silence for a moment before Quinn spoke up. His serious expression scared her for a moment. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking or what he was going to say. “Syd, you mean that? I mean you really want to come with me?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

“And you want me to help you raise the boys?” He smiled at the mention of the twins. She knew he loved them and she was certain she was making the right decision keeping Quinn in their lives. He was good for them all and he would be the dad the kids so desperately needed.

“Yes.”

“And you’re in love with me?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ll marry me and make me the happiest man alive?” His smile was still there on his glorious face, but the expression was more serious than she’d ever seen and she paused, looking at him, trying to decipher what he’d just said. She had heard him, but she was still trying to put the words together in her head. The gate representative called over the loudspeaker, announcing the last call for boarding the plane.

“You’ll miss your flight.” She mumbled, looking at Quinn, feeling a fresh trail of hot tears roll down her face.

“I don’t care. Marry me, Syd.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Marry me, Syd.”

“It’s an instant family. Is that really what you want?” She was losing her voice as the words tumbled out between sniffles.

“Sydnee Elaine Garrett. Marry me.” Quinn knelt down on one knee and Sydnee could feel her heart thud in her throat as many onlookers stopped to watch the interaction. “Please?”

Taking a deep breath, Sydnee nodded her head murmuring ‘yes’ as Quinn stood and took her in his arms and kissed her as people standing around them clapped and cheered for the newly engaged couple. Sydnee had never felt more secure and happy than she did at that moment and she knew her life, and her children’s lives were going to be more wonderful than she could ever imagine.

Railyn Stone hails from the TarHeel State and is a romantic at heart. She believes you can find romance in the simplest aspects of life and enjoys letting her imagination run wild. Trying new restaurants, listening to music, playing golf and writing over the top stories about ordinary people are the hobbies she cherishes most.

5 Prince Publishing is proud to present
Christmas Presence
by Lisa J Hobman. Please enjoy this excerpt. You can find this book and many more on the 5 Prince Publishing site at
www.5princebooks.com

Christmas Presence

By

Lisa J Hobman

Mallory stared out at the Atlantic Ocean from her favourite spot on the bridge. The winter sun glistened on the surface of the water, and she squinted as she watched Greg crouch, one hand still on the pram where baby Sylvie sat, to show little Mairi something on the ground. She guessed it was a bug or a pretty stone like usual. He was such a good daddy. Ever keen to show their daughters the simple wonders of the world. Mairi giggled, the joyous sound travelling on the breeze to warm Mallory’s heart. There was nothing else in the world that she needed. Greg and her girls were all the Christmas gifts she could ever wish for.

As if he felt her eyes on him, Greg glanced up and waved to her. His mouth tilted up at one side in that panties-melting way that made her toes curl. She returned his smile. The butterflies took flight inside her as they often did when she looked at him. He never ceased to affect her that way. He really was gorgeous. Raising her hand, she waved back. His shaggy, dark hair was swept back from his face but flopped forward as he leaned toward the ground. His winter jacket hid the bulk of his biceps—one of her favourite parts of his body.

It was yet another uncharacteristically warm December morning, and the view from the bridge was as stunning as ever. She turned her head, and her gaze settled on the pub where so much of her new life now centred, and she smiled again. Home. She was home. Stella waved from the benches where she cleared Ron’s empty glass from the table. From there Malloryturned again and took in the scene over at the shop where Colin and Christine unloaded packages from the trunk of their car, rolls of brightly coloured paper peeking out from several bags. They must’ve been Christmas shopping. She loved these people like family. Since losing her own parents, she had forgotten what it was like to be cared for so deeply, but these people took her in and made her one of them. One of their own. The village of Clachan-Seil and her beloved bridge were so very special to her now that she could not imagine being anywhere else. The proud Scots pine tree in the parking area danced in the breeze, its branches adorned with red, green, and gold ornaments, and Mallory could smell its fresh, Christmassy scent.

When she turned to look back to where Greg and their girls were, the empty pram was standing abandoned.

Her heart stuttered in her chest. Suddenly filled with panic, she gasped and set off running to where she’d last seen her husband and children.

“Greg! Greg!” she tried to call out, but her voice was nothing more than a strangled whisper as it left her throat. Her heart pounded and a sheen of sweat broke out on her skin.
He must be in the house. It’s fine. He’ll just be in the house.
She struggled up the path to their front door, her feet growing heavier with each step. She peered down at her leaden legs, suddenly feeling like she was walking through quicksand. Looking up again, she found the door wide open. Panic rose anew within her. She tried to call out, but there was no reply to her whispered attempts.

After dashing through the cottage and checking every room, she stumbled, sobbing, back toward the bridge and across to the pub. Yanking the door open, she stepped inside to find the place deserted.
What the hell?
It was like a scene from some scary movie in which everyone had disappeared into thin air. She spun around, searching each dark corner, her heart hammering as if trying to escape the cage of her ribs. Dizziness overtook her, but she clambered forward, stumbling as fabric began to tangle around her legs. Music began to play as if out of nowhere… She thrashed, trying to discover the source of the song, but suddenly felt paralysed.
What’s going on?
The familiar music got louder and louder…

Mallory’s eyes fluttered open as the noise to her left registered in her fuzzy, sleep-fogged brain as the song “I Predict a Riot”.
Confusion niggled at her mind as she realised she was in bed. Her
own
bed in her
own
room. Greg moaned beside her and rolled over, trapping her under his muscular, tattooed arm and nuzzling her neck. The quick pounding of her heart began to calm as delicious tingles awoke on her skin where Greg’s breath had settled. It had been just a dream. A sense of relief replaced the rush of adrenaline, and she smiled as she snuggled closer to her man. Glancing at the illuminated display on her clock, she squinted at the numbers.
Five o’clock? Urgh… too early
.

“Are you going to answer that, Mally? It’s a bit too early for the Kaiser Chiefs, don’t you think?” he mumbled into her skin, ending his sentence with a kiss. A shiver traversed her body, making her sigh in contentment.
Ahhh! Ringtone… that explains it. Oh shit, Brad’s ringtone.

She grappled with Greg’s heavy arm and pushed it off her body. Stretching out her arm, she reached for her phone. “Hello?” she said as a feeling of panic washed over her and her heart began to race.

“Mal, oh, thank God. It’s started. It’s early!” a very worried voice gasped down the line.

She sat bolt upright. “Oh, no, Brad! Is she okay?”

“She’s terrified. They’ve said… there are… there are complications. We’re at the General right now. I’m really sorry, but Le Petit Cadeau will have to stay closed today.”

“Brad, I couldn’t care less about the shop, all I’m worried about is Josie and the baby. She shouldn’t have been working this late into her pregnancy anyway. This isn’t the best way for things to go.”

“I know. I know. Shit, Mal, what if things go wrong and—” Brad’s voice broke and a lump lodged in Mallory’s throat.

She made a concerted effort to sound calm. “Stop it right now.
Nothing
is going to go wrong, Brad. So this is all happening a month early. So what? Hospitals are well equipped to deal with these situations nowadays. You’ve got to stay positive. Do you hear me? For Josie.”

Greg sat up and put his arm around her, taking her free hand in his, a frown etched on his rugged features. She stroked the back of his hand with her thumb, turned to face him, and shook her head, hoping he would understand the seriousness of the situation. He closed his eyes and dropped his head forward, squeezing her into his firm chest and kissing the top of her head. With the phone still pressed to her ear, she was grateful to be in Greg’s strong and warm embrace. Memories of the loss she had felt in her dream came flooding back, and she bit down on her lip in a bid to abate the threatening tears. Brad must be experiencing similar fears right now and she wanted—no, needed—to help.

Brad sniffed down the line, making Mallory’s heart ache. “You’re right, I’m sorry… I just… I don’t know what I’d do…”

“Look, I’m going to come down. I’ll… I’ll sort it so that I can come down today.” Greg pulled away, nodded his agreement beside her and kissed her shoulder.

Brad huffed out a breath. “No, don’t do that. The roads are terrible up there right now. We saw it on the news last night. Honestly, please don’t, we’ll be fine.”

“Brad, you’re my best friends. You
need
me. I’ll get a train. And I won’t take no for an answer, so don’t bother trying to argue.”

“But… it’s a week until Christmas, Mal. Greg and the girls need you to be there.”

“And I
will
be. I’ll come down for a few days, and I’ll be back here in plenty of time for Christmas. Don’t worry.”

Brad heaved a long, shaking breath. “Well, I have to admit, having you here would be good. You have such a calming effect on Josie. And me, for that matter. And knowing you’ve been through all of this…
twice
… it’s… reassuring. Look… I should go. I need to get back to my girl.”

“That’s that, then. I’ll text when I get a ticket sorted so you know what time to expect me.” She said her goodbyes and set the phone on the nightstand. But when she turned back to Greg, her lip began to quiver as tears welled in her stinging eyes. “Something’s wrong, Greg. She’s gone into early labour, and they’ve said there are complications.” A sob broke free from her throat as he pulled her into his arms.

“Oh, shit, sweetheart. You should go. You’re right. Me and the girls will be fine. She needs you right now.”

Pulling away, she looked into his chocolate-brown eyes and saw such understanding.
Could this man be any more perfect?
“Thank you. I know it’s so close to Christmas and—”

“Hey, stop. Like I’ve said. We’ll be fine. Go and be with our friends.” He touched her face tenderly and then stood. She trailed her gaze down his sculpted, naked form. She would never tire of his masculinity. She watched as he pulled his lounge pants up the length of his muscular thighs, and when her gaze met his, he smiled knowingly. “I’ll go and stick the kettle on whilst you have a look online for a ticket, okay?” He reached over, grabbed the tablet from his nightstand, and handed it to her.

Suddenly, excited high-pitched squealing could be heard along with the pitter-patter of little feet. “Mummy, Daddy! Santa!”

Mallory wiped at her eyes and turned toward her daughter. “Good morning, princess. I’m sorry, but Santa hasn’t been yet. It’s a little early. He doesn’t come until next week.” Little Mairi jumped onto Mallory’s lap, her brown curls bouncing. Mallory cuddled her daughter and planted a kiss on her head. Mairi yawned and stuck her thumb in her mouth. Giving her a squeeze, Mallory told her, “I think maybe you need to go back to bed for a little while. It’s
very
early. Sylvie’s still sleeping, and so should you be.” She scooped up the little bundle and carried her back to the girlie pink bedroom along the landing and placed her back under her duvet. Mairi rolled over, grabbed her teddy, and closed her eyes.

Mallory walked over to the cot in the corner of the room. She gazed down at the baby girl sleeping soundly. A mop of dark hair spiked up from every angle. She kissed her finger and stroked it down her baby’s cheek.

Sylvie had been a little surprise that had arrived when Mairi was only eighteen months old. It had been a huge shock for Mallory, discovering that she was pregnant again so soon after giving birth to her first daughter. Greg, however, had been like a child on Christmas morning all over again. His enthusiasm had been contagious and shock had soon become excitement for the happy couple. And now that he had a house full of girls, he and Angus—the yellow Labrador—were outnumbered four to two when Ruby the little black Patterdale was included, which, of course, she was.