Deck the Hearts by Rachelle Ayala

Author:Rachelle Ayala
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rachelle Ayala

11

Sing we joyous, all together

Gordon stood outside his mansion with his nose pressed to the window, looking at the festivities. The party was in full swing and people were enjoying themselves. Holly was nowhere in sight, but then, she was likely busy commanding the caterers or checking in with the band.

Entire families danced together and people from young to old mingled and made merry. Some wore costumes and others were obviously tourists, but everyone was included in the games and cheer.

A cold wet nose touched his hand, and he glanced into the eyes of Holly’s dog, Rudolph.

“Hey, boy. Why are you out here? Guess no dogs allowed? Where’s Holly?”

The dog just stared at him with a doleful expression.

“Yeah, well, thanks for keeping me company. Story of my life. Always on the outside looking in.” Gordon’s throat was thick and tight as he pulled the hood of his hoodie over his head. The wind was whipping up and clearing away the fog, and in the distance, a clap of thunder could be heard. “If I really loved her, I wouldn’t care if no one accepted me. I’d give her what she wanted.”

Inside, a group of sugar plum fairies and nutcracker soldiers circulated the room, talking animatedly and drawing small circles of people around them. If he wasn’t mistaken, they were Holly’s siblings. It figured the Jolly family would be the ultimate insiders, welcome and revered in this town because their grandfather, Nick the First, had set the entire Christmas industry in motion.

Gordon idly petted Rudolph as he scanned the guests for Holly. If he were in there helping her with the party, she wouldn’t be so busy and could enjoy it more. He’d been a jackass to walk away. It hurt that she didn’t love him as much as he loved her, but he couldn’t force her to care. He was wrong to use the town as a bargaining chip to get her to move in with him.

He should let her know. Pulling out his phone, he spotted a text message. It was Holly and she missed him.

Gordon jumped away from the window and went around to the servant entrance with Rudolph following.

“Holly, Holly, I’m back.” He called up the stairs and ran up to his room.

“Woof, woof,” Rudolph barked, bounding up after him.

Holly rose up from the bed at the sound of Rudolph’s bark, and her face brightened when she saw Gordon. She threw her arms around his waist and kissed him. “I’m so sorry. I was wrong to pretend I only cared about the town. I want to be your girl whether you sell or not.”

Gordon gave himself over to her kisses, hugging her tight. He wanted her more than anything, town or no town.

They broke the kisses to take a breath and he held her close, staring into her eyes. “I’ve decided not to sell. I’ll figure out another way to come up with the money.”

She caressed his face. Her eyes sparkled in the light of the fire. “We’ve thought of something.

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