Last night, after they’d finished cleaning up the community hall, since everyone in their group had agreed to spend Christmas morning at Aunt Penney’s, Wes had been invited to spend the night in one of her guest rooms. Apparently, his bedroom was the one across from Kate’s garage apartment.
Kate texted, I couldn’t sleep.
Neither could I.
I’m headed over to start a breakfast feast, she told him.
Sounds amazing. I’ll help.
You don’t have to.
I want to, Wes texted. See you in a few.
She swept her hair back in a ponytail and brushed her teeth. She grabbed the presents she had for Wes, pulled on her boots, shrugged on her coat and rushed out the door. By the time she stepped into her aunt’s kitchen, Wes already had the coffeemaker going. He was a man after her own heart. She had a feeling a very happy future awaited them, especially if he remembered that she didn’t function in the mornings without caffeine.
She approached him, noticing that he had on jeans, a Bayberry sweatshirt and bare feet. His hair was a bit mussed up. And he’d never looked cuter. Her heart pitter-pattered. She rose up on her tiptoes and placed a feathery kiss upon his cheek.
He turned to her. “What was that for?”
“You started the coffee.”
His blue eyes twinkled as a smile pulled at his lips. “I think I’ll be making a lot more coffee in the future if that’s the sort of payment I get.”
She laughed. He was definitely a keeper.
He peered under her arm at the wrapped packages. “Who are those for?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” She smiled as she walked into the living room, where the white lights on the tree were already glowing. She placed them among the other colorful parcels.
This Christmas, she had learned that the greatest gifts couldn’t be wrapped up in fancy metallic papers or decorated with delicate satin bows. The best presents came from the heart. And this year, her rapidly expanding family had an abundance of blessings.
Kate turned to Wes. “I got you a few things. But nothing special.”
He stepped up to her and gazed deeply into her eyes. “You already gave me the most special present of all.”
“I did?”
He nodded and then reached into his back pocket. He pulled out the heart bookmark she’d made for him. She thought she’d lost it for good.
&
nbsp; “But where did you find it?”
“You must have dropped it when you were in my office. Your office, I mean. I found it under the desk.” He held it up to her. “It’s the best Christmas present ever.”
She shook her head as heat flushed her cheeks. “It’s just a silly little bookmark.”
“No, it’s more than that. It’s your heart. And that’s the most precious present of all. Merry Christmas, Kate.”
“Merry Christmas, Wes.”
His head lowered as she rose up on her tiptoes. Once again, they met in the middle, his arms circling her waist and his lips joining hers. Kate’s heart fluttered in her chest. This was the best Christmas ever. And it was only the beginning.
The End
Cast Iron Beef Stew
A Hallmark Original Recipe