Heart of Christmas (Curiosity Bay #4)

26. Chapter Twenty -Six

Chapter Twenty -Six

MacGregor

“I cannot believe we’re getting snow again,” Audrey said happily. She squeezed my arm and squealed as we walked along the path to her parents’ front door. “Are you sure your parents don’t hate me for keeping you away from them?”

I laughed, shaking my head as Jasper frolicked in the snow.

This latest storm took the island by surprise, but only a dusting was forecast.

That being said, three inches had already touched the ground, and I found all of Audrey’s candles before we left her house.

“My parents would probably give up the next ten Christmases if they thought one of their sons finally found The One .” I grinned, stopping on the path and bringing her in close. The plastic bag of presents for her family bumped into her as I set them down on the snow.

“You think you’ve found The One ?” she asked coyly.

“There’s not a doubt in my mind,” I said, rubbing my cold nose with hers.

She giggled and let out a blissful sigh as she hugged me. “Thanks for staying here for Christmas. Hopefully, my parents will cool it a little tonight.”

“It’s Christmas Eve.” I laughed and shook my head, letting her go. “I doubt they’ll cool it at all.”

Once again, the snow had turned the island into a winter wonderland. Her parents’ home looked so welcoming, with the twinkling lights strung on the porch and the windows glowing with a beautiful amber light from inside. The driveway had been filled with cars, and we might be the last couple to arrive.

We started toward her home when the navy door swung open, and her mom stepped outside with welcoming arms. She wore a Christmas apron that made her look like Mrs. Claus as she grabbed Audrey and hugged her.

Dottie circled Jasper excitedly as Audrey’s mom said to drop the leash. I quickly obeyed and unhooked the leash as the two chased each other into the house.

“Thanks for having me, Mrs. Evans.” I smiled as she pulled me in for a hug.

“I told you, it’s Cynthia. Whenever someone calls me Mrs. Evans, I look for my mom.”

I chuckled, knowing my mom felt the same way.

“We’re so happy to have you,” she said, motioning us inside.

Pine and cinnamon filled the air, making everything seem cozy and warm. We kicked off our boots and put them next to the door. Laughter from the back of the house radiated through the halls as we followed her mom down the hallway.

The kitchen was packed with all of her sisters and their partners. Brad stood in the corner drinking what looked like a hot toddy. He held the drink up and nodded toward me with a smile.

Her family was beyond welcoming. Audrey took the bag of gifts from me and wandered off, leaving me in a room full of huggers. Her dad greeted me with a firm handshake, pulling me into him for a side hug and a pat on my back.

“Need any mulled cider? Bailey’s and Cream? Hot toddy?” her dad asked, holding up his mulled cider. “Beer?”

I laughed and nodded. “We always do a hot toddy on Christmas Eve, too. That sounds great.”

“Good deal,” her dad said, smiling before walking to the drinks counter.

“We’ve got lots of food,” Audrey said, coming up behind me. “A buffet table has taken over the dining room, and all the desserts are on the kitchen table.”

“Do we ever have to leave?” I joked.

Her mom caught wind of the comment and laughed. “Not on my watch. I’d love it if my kids lived with me, but they always wanted to find their own places. The nerve.”

Her dad handed me the hot toddy, and I took a sip, tasting the whiskey and lemon coat my throat. “Delicious.”

“Secret recipe,” he said, grinning as Audrey rolled her eyes.

“Come on, let’s get some food. I’m starving.” She pulled me toward the dining room, which was a little quieter, with only the faint hum of laughter and Christmas carols rolling off the stereo.

“You weren’t kidding about the food,” I said in awe.

A sliced ham had been placed in the center of the table, and the surrounding area was everything a person could imagine. Mashed potatoes, red potatoes, fried potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, and green salad surrounded the left side of the table. I glanced at the other side filled with rollups, sausages, dips, meat skewers, stuffed peppers, meatballs, and more.

“Wow. I thought we had a lot of food,” I said as Audrey handed me the plate.

She laughed. “Wait until the next course comes out.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

Audrey nodded. “The rib roast is in the oven. They take it out around nine tonight.”

I shook my head in disbelief and started piling my plate high as the doorbell rang.

“More people are coming?” I asked, surprised.

“Not that I know of.” She shrugged and wandered toward the front door with her plate.

Dottie was barking, and Jasper followed as the door swung open to reveal Bryce.

I had nothing against the guy, but I wasn’t sure he felt the same when he scowled at me and handed Audrey a bottle of wine.

“Merry Christmas,” he said, stepping inside.

“Merry Christmas,” Audrey said back, laughing as her parents entered the hall.

“So glad to have you stop by,” Cynthia said, giving him a quick hug. “Where’s Herman?”

“I wasn’t sure if…”

“Of course, Herman is invited.”

Bryce beamed and nodded. “Well, then, in that case.” He whistled, and the toothless Doberman dashed to his side.

Cynthia closed the door behind them as Bryce removed his boots, and Jasper sniffed Herman. Dottie sat down and waited it out, and the two of them left her in the dust. Once she realized what happened, she followed them into the kitchen.

I glanced at Audrey, who lifted her brows and nodded toward the hall. I followed her into the family room with the soft glow of twinkling Christmas lights. A large tree towered in the corner, draped in white lights, tinsel, and family ornaments. The mantel had been draped in garlands and more twinkle lights. It was clear this family took Christmas as seriously as my own.

Holding my plate, I walked over to the tree, looked at the glass ornaments, and found a paper snowman that looked handmade.

“That’s cute.”

Audrey came up behind me. “Thank you. I did that at the ripe old age of six.”

“Nice work,” I said, smiling as she sat on the tweed couch facing the fireplace. She tapped the cushion beside her, and I sat down, balancing the plate on my knees.

“It’s so amazing to have you here,” she said softly. “It means so much to me.”

The fire crackled in the hearth as warmth filled the room. Christmas lived in this house, and I felt at home.

“After everything we’ve put ourselves through, it didn’t seem like a good idea to start our relationship off long-distance.” I grinned sheepishly. “We seem to thrive on miscommunication, and I don’t think my heart can handle it.”

She chuckled and nodded, taking a bite of ham. “Agreed. It has been one fiasco after another. But I feel things calming down, don’t you?” she teased.

“No exes crawling out from under rocks, no misplaced dollar bills landing on dressers…” My voice trailed off.

“That is the worst.” She shook her head. “I can finally laugh about it now.”

“Not me,” I said, shaking my head. “No way.”

We chuckled, and I took a bite of macaroni and cheese. “This is so creamy. My mom will want this recipe. I’ll have to make it for them when I go home.”

She rested her head against my shoulder and let out a sigh. “When is that, by the way?”

Audrey straightened and took some more bites before turning to look at me.

“I don’t know. I was playing it by ear.” I shrugged. “But I’ll be moving to that short-term rental for at least three more weeks.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she flashed me her coy smile. “I told you that you were more than welcome to stay at my house.”

I touched her cheek and smiled. “I don’t want to screw this up and rush things with you, Audrey.”

“You wouldn’t.”

I laughed. “I’m sure I’ll spend plenty of time at your place.”

She squinted her eyes at me and chuckled. “You'd better.”

“Promise.” I nodded, taking another bite of food.

“When we call your parents tomorrow, I will thank them so much for not making you feel uncomfortable about staying here.”

“I think they know,” I said, taking a deep breath.

“Know what?” Her beautiful green eyes searched mine as she waited for me to respond.

“That I love you.”

She nodded as her eyes turned glassy with emotion. “I love you too.”

As the evening wore on, the family assembled around us, and Audrey’s dad picked up a guitar and sat near the fireplace. Her sisters gathered around their dad while Brad stood next to them. Audrey squeezed in between as her dad started playing Christmas carols.

Cynthia looked at me pleadingly when Audrey started to sing, and even though she was off-key and hitting the wrong notes, she had the most beautiful voice to me. The singing turned into laughter, and I realized how lucky I was to be part of this celebration.

Several hours had passed when her mom found us around the snack table and told us the rib roast was coming out soon.

“You’re going to have to roll me out the door,” I whispered to Audrey.

“That’s one way to keep you on Marigold.” She wiggled her brows. “Make it so you can’t fit on the ferry.”

Bryce sat in the recliner with a plate full of food while Scrooge aired on the screen behind him.

“Hey, MacGregor.” Bryce frowned and stared at me. “I apologize for the accusations I slung at you. You seem to be a pretty good guy.”

I sent him a care package for Herman once the news about Jasper and Dottie was out in the open. Maybe it had done some good.

“I do my best, and Audrey deserves better than me. I’m fully aware of that, but I’ll always ensure she’s loved, protected, and my top priority.” I nodded. “And I respect that you care about her. You guys have been around each other for a long time. It’s all good.”

Bryce nodded. “I’m not really a player. I just wanted to put some fear into you.”

I stared at him blankly. “No. Wow. Wouldn’t have guessed it. Totally worked.”

Audrey ribbed my side, and I nodded. “I’m not either. I never have been. But I kept searching for this feeling I’d had with Audrey.”

Bryce let out a sigh and nodded. “So it feels different?”

“It’s a one-of-a-kind feeling,” I said, looking at Audrey. “It reminds you that the only thing that matters in the world is the place you make with the one you love.”