Secret Santa's Bride by Leclaire Day

Author:Leclaire, Day
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Day Leclaire Inc
Published: 2023-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

Mathias walked into his office and started toward his desk when he suddenly realized the dragon painted in the corner of the glass top had companions. He detoured to that side and examined the changes, shaking his head in amusement. Jacq had added significantly to the painting. Three naked fairies now frolicked along the edge of the smoked glass just beneath the dragon. A forest had also sprung up, leaves, branches and vines positioned to preserve the winged sprites’ modesty. He studied the newly-enlarged painting and grinned. He liked her sense of humor.

The first of the fairies clung to the baby dragon, attempting to help him onto the slippery glass. The second fairy gripped the first around the waist. The third fairy— heels threatening to slip out from under her—held fast to the second fairy’s wings, pulling with all her strength. All three were on the verge of falling flat on their bare bottoms.

His eyes narrowed as he examined her artwork. There was something familiar about one of the fairies. Then it hit him and he chuckled aloud. The last of the three was the spitting image of Jacq’s sister, J.J. The tiny creature had the same thick cloud of ebony hair, the same fierce black eyes and the same determined expression.

It raised a very interesting question. Were all of Jacq’s books peopled with familiar faces? And if so, did J.J. know that she frolicked half-naked through them in the guise of a fairy? Somehow he doubted that she did. He made a mental note to check his collection of Jack Rabbitt books when he returned to his apartment.

“Mr. Blackstone?” Ebbie White slipped into his office, carrying a stack of folders. “These are the last of the Christmas requests. Oh! My goodness. Your fiancée’s been busy, I see.”

“Very busy,” he concurred.

Ebbie peeked over his shoulder, examining the latest additions. “She certainly is a talented young lady.”

“That she is,” he murmured. He took the folders from his secretary and stacked them on the opposite end of the desk from the paintings.

“I notice you’re reluctant to put anything on top of them, as well,” Ebbie commented. “If Ms. Randell keeps this up, you’ll soon run out of desk space.”

A quick grin slashed across his mouth. “I believe that’s the idea.”

Amusement dawned in Ebbie’s gaze. “It would appear I’m not the only one who thinks you work too hard.”

“I’m not sure that’s the point of this particular exercise. Unless I’m mistaken, Jacq’s trying to force some color into my life.”

“Thus the pillows and silk flowers and desk painting.”

“You got it. I believe it’s also supposed to make me less grid-oriented.”

“Grid-oriented?”

“I think that’s her way of saying less neat and precise.”

Ebbie laughed. “Will it work?”

“I think,” Mathias admitted with a sigh, “it just might.”

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