Heart of Christmas (Curiosity Bay #4)

28. Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

MacGregor

C hristmas Day, One Year later

As the light grew brighter outside, it wouldn’t be long before my house came alive with love and laughter.

You’d think I'd learned my lesson with Audrey, but I snuck out of bed, allowing her to sleep from her hectic travel the night before.

She looked so beautiful and peaceful sleeping in my bed, and I couldn’t believe what a dream my life had become.

If everything went according to plan, this Christmas would beat last year’s.

I snuck down the stairs of my log home and quietly made my way to the kitchen, where I pulled out her famous strata I’d made last night to bake this morning.

As I shoved the casserole dish into the oven, I smiled, thinking about this time last year.

We were both so hopeful that what we had mattered and would last longer than a month.

We were both worried about trying a long-distance relationship, but it was all we had, and it somehow worked in our favor. I’d spent a lot of time on the island over the last year, and I’d even made a deal to buy James’ acreage behind the orchard since he felt it was still in the family.

The sounds of Christmas would fill my house this year with the rustle of wrapping paper being torn, our family happily shouting and cheering each other on with each rip of the paper as Christmas music played through the house.

Most importantly, we were all together, including Audrey.

I turned on the gas fireplace, the fire burning low, throwing off a nice glow into the room. I sat down at the island overlooking our family’s land. The snow-covered pastures made this morning even more magical.

Audrey loved a white Christmas, which was part of the appeal for coming to Wyoming for the holiday. Curiosity Bay had been inundated with rain for the last few weeks, so I think this made coming here even more special.

Before I had returned to Wyoming from Marigold, my mom had brought over even more Christmas decorations. My house looked like one of the Christmas shops, with every surface covered in gingerbread houses, snowmen, Santas, trees, villages, and stockings.

Audrey was so exhausted last night that she didn’t have a chance to really take it all in, so I was excited to see her reaction this morning. The family room had become a cozy Christmas haven wrapped in garlands, Christmas pillows, and a towering Christmas tree.

I drew a breath, thinking about what was to come. This was the first time in days that I’d had a moment of quiet between being on Marigold, working with a jeweler, and zipping through airports. This was a welcomed silence to settle my nerves and think about our future.

The faint ticking of a clock in the dining room reminded me that soon, my life would change. It would become better, more alive, and filled with promise. Something about this morning felt sacred to me.

Clarity rushed through me when I woke up to see Audrey, and I knew this was the woman I needed to spend the rest of my life with. It hadn’t been a coincidence or lust that made our connection so strong so many years ago. It was more than that.

I moved away from the island, drawn to the Christmas tree with twinkling white lights and the tiny box I had tucked away on one of the back limbs. The tree was beautiful and filled with many family ornaments and delicate glass baubles passed down through our family.

Adjusting the tiny box with a white satin bow, I smiled as I imagined what was to come.

Settling into the armchair by the fire, I got lost in the dancing lights on the tree and thinking about our future together.

The soft creak of the stairs, followed by the gentle padding of Audrey’s footsteps, made me smile. A few seconds later, Jasper’s crazy pawprints clacked along the wood floors right behind her. I shot off the chair and met her in the kitchen with her dark hair snarled and draping around her face in the cutest way.

“Merry Christmas,” she said, stretching her arms toward the ceiling. “I still love your bed. It’s the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on.”

I looped my arms around her waist and brought her in for a slow kiss, feeling her body relax into mine before I let go and smiled.

“Strata is in the oven, and I’ll make you a latte.”

“I still can’t believe you have one of those fancy espresso machines built into the wall.” She rolled her eyes. “So bougie.”

I chuckled and nodded. “When you’re in the middle of nowhere, I learned quickly to bring the things I love to me.”

“Like me?” she mused, blushing.

“Exactly.” I brought her in again and brushed a kiss along her cheek.

“Every time I come here, I’m blown away at how magical it is,” she said, glancing at me as I pulled espresso shots. “But Christmas morning is on an entirely different level.”

I smiled, relieved she felt the same way I did. “So, was it worth the horrible holiday trip on Christmas Eve?” I poured the espresso shots over ice and added some milk and gingerbread flavoring.

She nodded, smiling, as I handed her the drink. “As hokey as this sounds, there was nothing horrible traveling yesterday, knowing I’d get to see you.” She took a sip of her drink and closed her eyes. “Incredible.”

“Thank you.” I grinned and took a deep breath, hoping my plan worked out.

“I feel guilty about being away from my parents this morning, but you did it for me last year.”

Touching her chin softly, I nodded. “We’ll find a rhythm.”

She nodded happily and took another sip. “We totally will.”

I wanted to give her the big news, but I wasn’t sure if I should wait. But keeping things from her wasn’t ever a good idea. I’d learned my lesson more than once.

She wandered over to the large windows overlooking the pastures and let out a soft hum.

Jasper sat at my feet, and I fed him a dog treat before letting him outside to do his business. He came in quickly, but a chill charged through the air.

“Amazing, MacGregor.” She shook her head and glanced at me. “It feels surreal… like at any moment, I’m going to wake up, and this isn’t my life.”

I walked up behind her, snatching a soft fleece throw, and wrapped it around her shoulders as I stood behind her, taking in the same view.

“It’s hard to believe we spent so many years apart when this was what was waiting for us.” I rested my hands on her shoulders, and she touched one with her free hand. “I wanted to tell you some news.”

She spun slowly around as her eyes met mine. “What’s the news?”

“James and his family sold me the land behind the orchard.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. I’m as serious as ever.” The thrill of the future shot through me. “I’ll be able to offer riding lessons and trail rides. The island signed off on my preliminary plans, so I felt comfortable going ahead and purchasing the property.”

She squealed as her eyes filled with happy tears. She looped her arms around my neck, nearly spilling her latte as she kissed my cheek.

“This is the best news ever.” She took a step back. “How long do you think it will take to build? When do you plan to open? Are you going to live there or—”

I chuckled, and the oven dinged at the same time the doorbell rang.

She whipped her gaze to me. “Expecting anyone so early?”

I shook my head, hiding my excitement as I approached the oven. “Do you mind answering the door?”

Audrey nodded and set her latte down on the granite island before going to the front door.

I listened intently as I removed the strata and waited for an eruption of commotion. Within a few seconds, I heard Audrey’s sisters and brother wishing her a Merry Christmas, followed by her parents and then my parents.

Smiling, I made my way to the foyer to see our families together, meeting for the first time as Audrey went from one sister to another, hugging each of them fiercely.

Our parents got right into introducing each other without our help as Audrey slowly spun around to see me, but my brothers hadn’t made it yet.

“How did you do this?” she whispered, shaking her head.

“Very carefully. When you changed your flight, I panicked. But thankfully, nobody was on the one you were on. Their layovers were at a different airport.”

She shook her head. “I’m the luckiest person in the world.”

“No. That would be me.” I kissed her softly before stepping back, our hands linking together.

“I have Audrey’s famous strata in the kitchen,” I explained. “But I made it, so I don’t know if it will be as good.”

Audrey’s mom beamed and shook her head. “It will be wonderful, MacGregor.” She set down Dottie, who did a few circles and immediately found Jasper.

“Those two are so cute,” my mom exclaimed. “I’ve heard all about Dottie, but she is a doll, isn’t she?”

I helped pull the luggage inside the entry as the chatter grew louder. Christmas joy spread through everyone as my four brothers—Owen, Craig, Larson, and Nick—charged in. There was a quick introduction with my brothers and her family, and I noticed Owen looked less harsh and frantic. The others always looked pretty laid back, but Owen always looked like he'd stepped on a livewire… but not today?

Audrey led her family into the kitchen as my mom stopped and smiled, reaching for my hand.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am,” she said, smiling. “You two are so special together.”

“I still think it’s a dream,” I said, glancing at my brother Owen.

He looked less on edge and almost… happy?

“Good to see you,” I told him, pulling him in for a hug. “I almost thought you wouldn’t be here for your annual trip.”

Owen smiled and shrugged. “I managed to fit it in.”

My mom chuckled and glanced at us both. “Owen, why don’t you tell your brother why you almost didn’t make it?”

I eyed Owen and smirked. “Yeah. Why don’t you tell me?”

“Just busy.”

My brows lifted. “With that big project out in Wisconsin you told me about last year?”

He scowled. “Why do you have such a good memory?”

My mom chuckled. “I think it has less to do with the project and more with a woman out there.”

Shock registered through me like a Seattle earthquake. “Seriously? Owen and a female?”

Owen laughed and shook his head. “Mom is just imagining things. She sees you about to get tied down and expects all her sons to do the same.”

My mom cocked her head. “So, there’s not a woman near Buttercup Lake who caught your interest?”

Owen shook his head and groaned. “Fine. Whatever. You win. Merry Christmas.”

I laughed, slapping my brother’s back. “You’ve got to tell me, man. You gave me such a hard time.”

Owen bit his bottom lip and groaned. “Well, she hates me.”

I smiled. “Always a good start.”

“I thought so. Can only go up from there, right?”

“That’s been my thought.” I chuckled.

“I’ll tell you more, but not today. It’s complicated and happily depressing or depressingly happy. I just don’t know. A lot rides on not falling for her.”

“Please tell me it’s not a woman from the lodge you’re trying to crush.” My brows furrowed as I tried to remember the place's name.

“Honey Leaf Lodge,” Owen offered. “Afraid so.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “We don’t make things easy on ourselves, do we?”

“What’s going on?” my mom asked.

“It’s a long story, and today is all about MacGregor.” Owen smirked, loving that he could change the subject so quickly.

I made it to the kitchen to see Audrey dishing up the strata and Mae making mimosas for everyone as Tyler snuggled their new baby.

Audrey’s eyes met mine, and pure joy washed over me as I watched our families become one. Her eyes filled with the same happiness I felt. We both knew what was going on here was special. This was what I’d always dreamed about, but only with Audrey.

I walked over to Audrey and slid a kiss along her cheek as I helped serve everyone a slice of strata.

“I hope it’s half as good as Audrey’s,” I announced, handing it to Brad.

He took a bite and nodded. “Really good, man. Thanks. I’m starving.”

“Phew.” I smiled and glanced over my shoulder at Audrey.

She looked completely in her element as she chatted with Amelia and Emily while Mae talked to our parents.

Everything just felt right.

But I had to do one more thing.

As Audrey finished her slice of strata, I drew a deep breath and glanced at the Christmas tree.

When she’d set her plate down, I took a sip of the mimosa Mae just handed me and cleared my throat.

My mom caught my gaze and grinned, tapping a glass to quiet everyone down.

“Thanks for that, Mom.” I smiled, raising my glass in everyone’s direction. “I wanted to thank you all for making the trek out here. I know the flights aren’t easy on a good day, and doing all of this to surprise Audrey is a testament to your love for her.”

Everyone looked around at one another, smiling and hugging as I held my hand out for Audrey.

She cocked her head slightly as her gaze locked on mine. I motioned for her to come toward me, which she did, glancing at her sisters along the way.

I knew some women would want to share this moment in high heels, a fancy dress, and at the top of the Space Needle—but not my Audrey.

She gripped her hand in mine, her bedhead still as wild as this morning, her Christmas cookie flannel PJs keeping her warm and her family here for the moment.

When our fingers linked, I unhooked a tiny box from the tree and got on one knee.

Audrey gasped as her eyes widened, and she smiled.

“Audrey, you’ve made anything and everything possible for me. We’ve shared so much of ourselves, talking about dreams for our future, laughing about our past mistakes, and planning for something even bigger than our dreams.”

“Oh, MacGregor,” she whispered.

“But we haven’t made it official, and I can’t go one more day not calling you my fiancée. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, and Dottie counts the days until she can see Jasper. Our families are strong and ready. The heart of Christmas is love, and we’ve found that… our families have found that.” I shook my head, knowing what I was about to do would change the rest of our lives for the better. “I just can’t spend another second without knowing we will be together forever.” I lifted my gaze from hers to see our families joined and waiting for this moment. I brought my eyes back to Audrey’s and drew a breath.

“Audrey Evans, will you make me the happiest man ever?” I grinned. “Will you marry me?”

Audrey’s eyes filled with happy tears as she frantically nodded, and I opened the tiny box to reveal a solitaire ring. Her eyes dropped to the box as her hands flew to her mouth in disbelief.

“MacGregor,” she said between tears. “I didn’t think we could outdo our first Christmas together last year, and you did it. You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world.” She sniffled, shaking her head as I pushed the ring on her finger.

Her lips met mine, and I felt the rest of the world drift away. All the chatter from our family, the Christmas music, and Jasper and Dottie’s barks faded as I felt Audrey in my arms, her kisses deepening.

And I knew there was nothing more in this world I wanted than to be Audrey’s husband. She made my dreams come true, and I would spend the rest of my life trying to do the same for her.

This Christmas and forever after.