Toy Soldier Christmas (Christmas Creek Romance 06) by Rachelle Ayala

Author:Rachelle Ayala [Ayala, Rachelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lovely Hearts Press
Published: 2020-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

“You’re more of a liar than Frankie ever was,” Nutmeg’s words snapped Craig out of the spell cast by his memories.

“Why can’t you believe something magical is going on here?” He leaned back and peered up at the sweet but skeptical face of his doll come to life. “Is it so bad to spend Christmas healthy and whole?”

“You might be healthy and whole, but I’m not.” Her lips pressed together, and she appeared to blink back tears. “I’m glad for you, and if Frankie sent you to cheer me up, then I accept his gesture. It was done out of love.”

“Then let’s make the best of our holiday. Let’s do everything to make you happy.”

She managed a wan smile and a perky nod. “Sure. There are others worse off than me. They didn’t survive or have family who care.”

“Right.” He took her small, dainty hand in his. “Want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” she said, but her whiskey-colored eyes danced in the firelight. “But since you opened up to me, it’s only fair for you to know what you’re dealing with.”

“I’ll be honored.” He lifted himself from the floor to sit on the couch next to her.

“I’m a breast cancer survivor. It’s been a horrible year.” Her gamine face watched him carefully, as if she was assessing his response.

He stayed quiet to let her talk, and so she spilled everything in her heart—how her fiancé dumped her right before surgery, the awful side effects of chemo, and finally, when she thought she was going to be okay, being let go from her job and stood up by her newest friend.

“I shouldn’t be happy he let you go.” Craig gave her a side hug as they sat companionably in front of the crackling fire. “But I’m the lucky one. Honestly, Nutmeg, between the two of us, we have everything important, including missing body parts.”

A giggle pealed from her sweet pink lips. “Craig, you’re so silly. Breasts are useless on you, and a soldier needs a foot and an eye.”

“True, but what we have is better than body parts. We both got our Christmas wishes come true. I got my Nutmeg doll, and you got your Nutcragger toy soldier.”

Her cheeks pinked in the light of the fire, and a genuine joy infused her eyes for the first time. “I do believe in wishes come true, and you know what? Let’s just go with this. Let’s go sledding and trim the tree later on, then go caroling in town, and let’s dress in those costumes and dance the night away at the Gala Ball.”

Gulp.

Craig would rather stay up in the lodge with his pretty doll than parade around town, especially since his parents were on the prowl, but how could he disappoint his Nutmeg when this was her first Christmas Creek Christmas?

“As long as you don’t mind me wearing an eye mask.”

“Still hiding, aren’t you?”

“Same as you.” He landed a kiss on the top of her head, and she snuggled in his arms.

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