A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas by Boleyn Darcie

Author:Boleyn, Darcie
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781911420590
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Published: 2016-10-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“Do you think it will snow in New York?” Lucie asked Dale as they fastened their seatbelts.

He leaned over and checked that she’d done hers properly.

“Who knows? They do get snow in December, and sometimes there are dreadful blizzards. Why, are you hopeful?”

Lucie nodded. She really was. She’d seen cards of famous New York landmarks in the snow and spent the days before their departure browsing similar images online. “I’d like to walk through Central Park as the snow falls. It’s just one of those things I’ve always wanted to do, you know?”

Dale smiled, his brown eyes warm with anticipation. “I do. I’d like that too. I packed my hat, scarf and gloves just in case. And we can go ice skating in Central Park or at the Rockefeller Centre.”

“I’d like to see the Statue of Liberty.”

“And the Museum of Natural History.”

“And Macy’s.”

“Thank you, Dale.”

He frowned. “Why’re you thanking me, Luce?”

“Oh you know… for coming away with me. For always supporting me. For being my best friend my whole life.”

He shook his head. “That’s always been a pleasure. No need for thanks. Besides, I couldn’t let you go alone, could I? I doubt you’d even have got on the flight in time.”

Lucie playfully punched him in the shoulder. “I’m not that much of an idiot.”

He leaned over her to peer out of the window. “Can’t see much right now.”

Lucie followed his gaze. “Just clouds. Hope it’s clearer when we’re above the USA.”

“Me too. But then if I’m right, we won’t see much except for a bit of New England.”

The flight passed quickly, the time broken up with two meals, inflight movies and Dale’s frequent interruptions to deliver facts about New York. Lucie couldn’t help feeling excited. Her stomach fizzed with the thought that in just a few hours she would be in one of the most exciting cities in the world, a city she’d seen numerous times on television and in films, yet never had the chance to visit before. She might not have been able to afford to go there for a few years yet, had it not been for this opportunity. Petra’s parents had covered the flights and accommodation, insisting that none of the bridesmaids would be inconvenienced in any way. Of course, the Christmas Eve wedding meant that many of the guests and wedding party would be away from their own homes and families for Christmas, so the Barnsleys’ generosity was, in some way, Lucie suspected, also a form of compensation.

As the plane began to descend, Lucie slipped her hand into Dale’s. She didn’t mind flying, but takeoff and landing always filled her with a sense of unease. Dale squeezed her hand tight.

“You know, I’m really looking forward to spending Christmas in New York with you. Even though we’ve had to fib to my family about our relationship being something more than it is. The idea of a luxury hotel suite all to myself, with a view of Central Park and room service. Well, who wouldn’t be happy at the thought of that?”

Lucie met his eyes.

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