Once Upon a Christmas by Clare Revell

Author:Clare Revell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
ISBN: 9781522300595
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2017-11-17T05:00:00+00:00

7

Hayden led Caitlyn into the ballroom. He’d lived in the dark for so long, he’d forgotten how beautiful this room was. Gold and silver edged the mirrors that hung around three walls, giving the impression of infinity. The fourth wall contained floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the gardens, along with a door leading onto a vast terrace. As he’d instructed, the door stood ajar, letting the chill December air into the room.

Caitlyn let go of his arm, her eyes wide in wonder as she stepped onto the tiled floor. She whirled around arms wide. “Wow…”

He smiled. “You like it?”

“It’s amazing.”

Hayden leaned on his cane, watching her dance to the music only she could hear. “Having fun, my dear?”

“Dance with me.” She moved over to him, holding out her hands.

“I don’t dance.”

“Don’t be silly. Everyone can dance. It’s simply moving to music.”

“Not me.” He jiggled the cane.

“Nonsense. Just hold on to me, I’ll show you.” Her face faltered. “Only we have no music.”

“There you have me. We can’t dance.” Part of him was relieved, the other part longed to hold her in his arms, dance with her, to be normal for a few short minutes.

“Record player? Radio?” She paused as he shook his head. “You said you’d give me the Wi-Fi code. I could get something from the Internet on my phone perhaps.” She pulled the handset from her pocket and held it out to him, eyes pleading.

“Do you ever go anywhere without this?”

“Not usually. Auntie Naomi says the streets aren’t safe. Especially after the wolves last year. I did it to keep her happy and it’s a habit now.”

Hayden sighed and took the phone. He typed in the code and handed it back. “There.”

Caitlyn worked the screen quickly, and music filled the air. “A waltz.” She laid the phone on the top of a unit and grabbed Hayden’s arms. “No excuses. Dance with me.”

He set the cane against the wall. “Are you always going to be like this?”

“Yes.” She tilted her head. “I shall nag ’til I get my own way. Now, put your arm around my waist…”

“I know what to do. I just can’t dance.”

She shook her head, taking hold of his hand and waist. “Humour me.”

Hayden took her in his arms, closing his eyes as they slowly began to dance. His limp didn’t impede him as much as he’d expected. But even that thought paled in comparison to the way Caitlyn felt in his arms. His whole body sprang to life with the thrill of holding her.

Time seemed to slow as they moved around the ballroom. The music changed to something slower, yet she didn’t pull away. He brought her closer, molding her flat against him. Caitlyn responded by laying her head on his shoulder as they continued to dance. A contented sigh reached his ear, filling him with hope.

The moment was shattered by footsteps and a cough he knew only too well. “Yes, Torrance?”

Caitlyn jerked from his arms as if awakened from a dream.

“Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a phone call for you in the study.

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