The Christmas Romance Wish (Love, Laughs & Mystery in Coco Key #5)

15. Alex

Alex

CHAPTER 15

While we rode the Jolly Trolley through the neighborhood decorated with illuminated ornaments hanging from trees, inflatable displays, and light shows that flickered in time with music, Emmie seemed to disappear into her own world for a few minutes.

She lives in the city, so this vibe isn’t foreign to her, but maybe she truly doesn’t like Christmas.

But, it turns out, she does like ice skating. We take to the lake on rental skates and she has skills, skating backward, doing spins, and other tricks.

“I thought you grew up on a tropical island.”

Emmie smirks. “Remember what I said about being a princess? Every summer, while my brothers were boating under the hot summer sun, I went to a skating camp in a climate-controlled rink.”

“Clever. Despite what you say about Christmas, it looks good on you.”

She chuckles. “Winter is my favorite season. I get to wear big, bulky sweaters and live in my natural habitat.”

“Where’s that? ”

“Cozied up at home in leggings and fuzzy socks with a warm drink and a manuscript working its way from up here,” she points to her temple, “to here,’ she wiggles her fingers.

I snap mine. “Oh, yeah. You and I are writing a book. Nearly forgot about that.”

“I did not since the deadline is December thirty-first and I’ve never turned in something late to my editor.”

“We’ll keep your streak strong. Maybe we’ll get another snow day.”

“Remember, I have to be in Coco Key by New Year’s Eve. My brothers say they have a surprise for me.” She looks less than thrilled.

We whiz around the lake, skating smoothly past other couples, families with kids who are struggling to stay upright, and hordes of teenagers having the time of their lives.

Emmie has only given me cookie crumbs about her life, but I’ve gleaned that our experiences weren’t that different. She didn’t have her parents, and even though I did, it’s not like they were present in a meaningful way. I had to make up my own fun...or read history books and understand what freedom, honor, and fidelity really mean.

Along the perimeter of the lake are homes ranging from cottages to mansions. Set up in front of a few are camp chairs and folks roasting marshmallows. We skate by and I spot Jesse, Pax, Shaylin, and my buddy Austin Hildreth from the teams by Jesse’s cottage.

They wave us over.

I greet Austin with a bro hug and make introductions.

Paxton crows, “Austin, meet Your Majesty, Princess, Royal Lady of the Circle of Mad Mojo, Order of the First Degree, Queen of Eaglewood Acres! You’re still in town. I’m surprised she didn’t go running for the hills after your stunt today, Lexman.”

“I’m shocked you jumped,” Shaylin says.

Emmie says, “I have four brothers, so I never say no to a dare. ”

Jesse inclines his head. “Alex dared you to jump out of the helo?”

“No, I asked her. Thought it would be fun, memorable,” I clarify.

Nodding in confirmation, Emmie adds, “That’s true. I just meant that it was daring.”

“It’s like the two of you were made for each other,” Pax says.

Finally, the man speaks some sense.

“Heads up, that Tad Tobin guy has been sniffing around this week. Saw him here earlier, shooting everyone smug and dirty looks for daring to have fun,” Jesse says.

“He’s after my property.” Eyeing Emmie, I hope he’s not also after my woman. If he tries anything, he won’t be seeing the state of Utah again anytime soon.

She steps closer to me as if she doesn’t like the idea of him being in this little holiday haven.

A woman with light blonde hair, a fitted jacket, and laced-up boots with fur trim strides toward us, gaze locked on me. “Just the man I wanted to see.”

Before I can skate backward across the lake, she wraps me in a long hug as I shrug out from under her arms.

I glance at Emmie and the look she gives suggests she wants to launch into a flying arm bar. Then she slides back as if concerned about her rash of jealousy, or at least, that’s what I’d like to think the flare in her eyes means.

Paxton’s expression shifts and his eyes narrow slightly as if it’s okay for him to flirt with Emmie, but he’ll defend her honor and not let anyone flirt with me. “Kissy, I don’t think you’ve met Emmie yet.”

“Kissy?” she asks as if holding back laughter.

The woman of my nightmares pecks my cheek, leaving a big red lipstick splotch. I rapidly rub it off.

“Kissy is my call sign. I’m a fighter pilot and really good at what I do.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest like that gives her some clout .

Okay, it gives her a lot of clout.

“You may know my brother Magnus,” Emmie says.

She shrugs. “Never heard of him.”

“Magnus McGregor. Magdog, Magic—because he was like a magician in the sky. Also, Magnum PI because of his accuracy when he went into special forces.”

Kissy shifts uncomfortably. “Oh, yeah. That Magnus. I think I met him once or twice.”

“Magnus McGregor is your brother?” Jesse asks, impressed.

Emmie nods, wearing a proud smile.

“Kissy is being modest. In the air, Magnus McGregor has given Kissy a run for her money and then some,” Pax says.

Kissy steps forward. “So you’re his little sister? How adorable,” she says as if antagonized.

Then she boops Emmie’s nose with the pad of her pointer finger.

Emmie’s jaw lowers and her eyes turn to slits.

“Careful, Kissy,” Jesse says. “You might be able to handle yourself in the air, but Emmie’s ground game is clinch.”

Pax adds, “What he means is Emmie is a jiu-jitsu blackbelt.”

“It’s not something I advertise. Plus, I don’t compete anymore.” Emmie holds Kissy’s gaze as she speaks.

“You won the international championship a few years ago. Those skills don’t degrade that fast. I roll, so I pay attention to stuff like that.” Jesse’s smile suggests he’s on Team Emmie.

She’s like a Christmas present and each section I unwrap reveals something new. Something unexpected and the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.

Kissy seems to shrink, perhaps rethinking her bold and brazen advances as Emmie and Jesse talk about jiu-jitsu for a few minutes before we say goodbye.

We take one more loop around the lake before turning in our skates and waiting at the Jolly Trolley stop.

On the way back, everyone sings along to Christmas carols, as per custom—at least I think so, I’ve only done this once .

Emmie, glowing, belts out the tunes. Between the little kids’ voices and a baritone, I hear the tinkling of her laugh. It’s beautiful, like waves gently lapping seashells, like the sun sparkling on the water. She says she prefers winter, but so much about her speaks of the summer, carefree days, and ease. Adventures and memories.

These are more reasons I feel like she and I are meant to be. My life has been regimented for the last twenty years. Now, I can jump out of helicopters at will and deliver Christmas joy, and not miss it all because I’m on a covert mission.

I wouldn’t trade my service for anything, but it’s like the pages of my life story turn, revealing a new chapter, one I was not expecting.

When we get off the trolly, seamlessly, our voices meld with the carolers singing in front of a shop. All the stores stay open late for tourists, shoppers, and because everyone enjoys being part of the community.

“Do you need to buy any last-minute gifts for your brothers?” I ask, hoping Emmie stays for a few more days but understanding that she needs to keep her word that she’ll be back to see them by New Year’s.

“I should. Well, my brothers get coal. I’ll gift my new sisters-in-law something local from here. Let’s see, what will make them want to drag their husbands to Holidayle?”

I help Emmie pick out a toddler-sized shirt that says Merry Moosemas ! She explains that Ryan’s son calls CJ Uncle Dino, and she’s going to be Auntie M but would prefer Moose since it’s the same letter.

“Luke is going to get loads of moose stuff. What’s the plural? Mooses? Meece? I should know this. Anyway, they’re cooler than dinosaurs because they’re not extinct.”

“True, but dinosaurs have the size factor on their side.” I open my arms wide.

“Are you siding with CJ?” She playfully whacks me .

“No, but he gets some credit for cashing in the Uncle Dino dollars.”

She laughs and says, “You guys are going to get along so well, I almost don’t want to share you, Alex.”

My lips ripple with a smile. Hearing that butters my muffin—as Mr. Marlin said when we dropped in by help. There are some things, Emmie things, that I’ll keep to myself and not share with the guys.

We continue to shop and Emmie also gets angel Christmas tree ornaments for her nieces and nephews-to-be. They remind me of Gram’s collection. We find ourselves in a jewelry store and all the sparkle lights up Emmie’s eyes. She browses the counter and the idea that won’t quit, not that I want it to, shines bright in my mind.

I need a diversion. “Anyone else on your nice list?”

Her lips quirk and she tugs on the front of my jacket. “Well, you, Mr. Claus.”

“Should we split up and meet back here at eighteen hundred hours?”

“That gives me thirty minutes. Where should we muster?”

“There’s a Christmas lights walk just past the Jolly Trolley stop. If you see the sign that says Reindeer Crossing , you’ve gone too far. How about we check that out, grab dinner, and then we’ll head home?”

Emmie lifts onto her toes, plants a kiss on my lips, and says, “Don’t miss me too much.”

Oh, I will, but I have big plans so I won’t miss her ever. Using skills acquired from my days in the military, I make sure she’s not following me. Then I slip into the jewelry store on the corner with my sights set on something sparkly. It’s not from Tiffany’s, but I’d say it’s even more perfect.

Less than thirty minutes later, I’m standing at the end of the street by the lights walk called The Seasonal Stroll . Emmie, with a bag on each arm, waves

“How’d it go? ”

“Oh, just did a little window shopping.” Emmie winks.

I take one bag and we walk slowly down the street, rating the displays, including a train that reminds me of the Polar Express, a barn and a horse-drawn sleigh, along with moose and reindeer using a scale from one Christmas bell to ten, being the best.

There are a few that get a three to five rating, but most of them rate pretty high. We laugh and talk until we reach the end of the walk with a tunnel of glowing lights.

We approach the red and white sign that says Merry Kiss-mas . Hanging over it is a giant lit-up mistletoe.

Emmie glances at me as if she’s game for what’s about to happen, well, the part she expects. There’s more to it.

Taking her hand, I guide her under the lights. A photographer poises at the ready to capture the sweet moments between couples—I found a photo at HQ of Pax and Shaylin. I’m not sure who put who up to it.

“You were right, there is one thing that would make today perfect.” I point above us. “A kiss under the mistletoe.”

We both lean in. Our lips meet. The kiss is warm and sweet. It’s everything that was missing from my life. Instead of free falling, like when we first jumped out of the helo, I feel like I’m on solid ground.

For the first half of my life, I felt aimless. For the second, I had a mission. Now, I have a purpose. It’s to make Emmie feel loved because at last, I feel whole and fulfilled. Well, almost. There’s one thing left for me to do.

I reach into my pocket, about to pull out the small velvet box I picked up earlier, when someone calls out, “It’s a mistletoe match! You’re our twenty-fifth photo of the night and that means you win—” But I don’t hear the rest of what the person dressed as an elf says.

I was going to do the bravest thing of my life, but now I’m hearing about overnight options at the resort, restaurant coupons, and activity packages from a well-meaning hotel employee.

“How long have you been married?” he asks .

Emmie and I look at each other. I try to read the light in her eyes.

She says, “We’re not married.”

Not yet.