Mistletoe Page 6

  “You ready, sis?”

  “Yes let’s do this!” I answer and the others who are up at the crack of dawn with us roll their eyes at our obvious disregard for them. Both of us crack up at this and we all link arms together and head to the floor. Dividing each of the task lists between all of us makes the job easier, and we get to enjoy the coffee that I made, before it’s time to open up.

  “Ok time to ring the bell!” I say to him and instead of fighting over it, we nod in agreement, letting the women who changed our lives ring it. All the workers come pouring in greeting us as they head up to their work stations. This is the first year where our parents will not be around, as they took off early for the holiday vacation to see Ron. The brother who finally confessed it wasn’t us who made him leave. He never wanted to be up here and he chose his own path, although he does come to visit more frequently now that there is no pressure of taking over.

  “Yo! Guys! I need help!” John Alexander says running towards us. Kent is out of town for a conference and whatever this is seems urgent by the way he looks. We always laugh because whenever Kent has to go away for business, it leaves John Alexander looking like a lost puppy, wandering the halls like half of his soul is gone.

  “Hey what do you need?” Grace asks him as he stops in front of the group.

  “I am planning a surprise for Kent, but I’m going to need all hands-on deck.” He tells us and goes into the elaborate plan of what each person would have to do. The biggest part would be keeping it of a very suspicious Kent, who can spot something out of place from a mile away. He finally found his calling in life as an inspector of toys and his keen eye serves the company in so many ways. But if there is any team that can pull this off it’s us.

  “We got this!” We all say placing out hands in the middle before screaming “Team North Pole!” Two weeks later the group delivers, although the surprise doesn’t quite go as planned.

  Epilogue Two - Grace

  Five years after that…

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I ask my wife who is in the workshop sitting on the sleigh. I’ve always wanted to ride it, but for one reason or another, I never got the chance. The first few years of our transition being the busiest, putting out fires here and there. And also splitting our time between here and my shop that I still open a few months a year for the summer Christmas spectacular it has been hectic. The life we have built up here is everything I ever wished for, but the workload can get overwhelming right up until the end of the holiday season.

  We tend to do a vacation as a family and that’s still not for at least a month. So I’m not sure why she is not downstairs joining in with her brother to test out their newest invention. I should be with Crystal helping her take care of my three little misbehaved nephews who come up on the naughty list every year, but she said she had it under control today. Everywhere I went they didn’t need my help so I had nothing to do but find my wife, who is wearing a very long coat and has luggage sitting the sleigh.

  “I’m taking it for a spin, I finally took a look at what dates were best and I cleared the schedule for it.

  “Aha and what are you clearing up the schedule with the sleigh for?” I ask, intrigued by what she has up her sleeve.

  “You know, I’ve tried to give you all you ever wanted but this is something I haven’t given you. It has been your dream to fly over Europe in this thing and I’m going to fulfill that wish.” She says helping me up into the carriage.

  “You know I don’t need a sleigh ride to be happy. I just need you.” I reassure her wrapping my arms around her middle and giving her a soft kiss on the lips. I lay my head on her shoulder and look up at the woman who stole my heart all those years ago. I still get those butterflies anytime she’s near and the way she makes my heart beat faster has only intensified with the passing of the years.

  “Yes, I know, and all I ever need is you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like spoiling you. I’ve got it for the whole weekend and I’m taking it up to the small cabin in the mountains. No one will bother us, it’ll just be you, me and a whole lotta wine.”

  “I love this plan, anything that includes you naked is where I want to be.” I say wiggling my eyebrows at her. As she lifts off and through the sky, I hardly believe this is happening. One thing is to see it, but another is living it in the flesh. The cold air hits my face and I snuggle in closer, the satisfied look on her face lets me know that was her plan all along. Instead of going straight to the cabin, she takes the scenic route that includes Paris, London, and Italy.

  By the time we head to our destination, all I want to do is take in the best view of all, my wife spread out on the bed. I could still be in Florida, or living the magical life that I do now, all that will ever matter is that I have my one. The one I snatched up with a little help of my love for all things Christmas. Magic does exist, you just have to believe and it will find you.

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank my sissy poo. You have been listening to me tell my stories since I was just a teenager. Thanks for believing in my dream. You’re my bestie, my other, other half, and my partner in crime.

  To my other half, thanks for loving me unconditionally through all my crazy ideas, this one included. You are my fiercest cheerleader. Thanks for all the late-night encouragement and the sexy inspiration. I’ll love you forever & always. You gave me my own insta-love story.

  Amy, #Twin I can’t thank you enough for being my beta, you keep me sane, and on track. But most of all, thank you for the amazing friendship. I never thought I would find a bestie online, but here we are! I and me means we! Glad that we are on this adventure together.

  To Jenni, thanks for putting up with all my last-minute requests, for keep it real, and for making sure I don’t make someone blonde when we both know they are brunettes and vice versa.

  To the #Squad…You fucking rock! Amy, Evangeline, Christina, and Jenni! Twin, Gif, Hype, and Badass… keep making my days brighter. I am so glad you all are part of my team and keep the smile on my face!

  ChaShiree, thanks for encouraging me to finally release my first book. You’ve become my bestie! #LiferGroupieForever #ImYourStalker

  MK Moore and Elisa Leigh. Your stories inspired me to write my own. You all have been welcoming and supportive to me as a new author. I couldn’t have published this without you.

  Elizabeth Neal, my editor, thanks for taking Mistletoe and turning it into everything I hoped for. You rock, and my words wouldn’t be half as amazing without you!

  To my ARC readers, thanks for giving this book a try and I hope you enjoy it as much I enjoyed writing it. Your feedback is invaluable.

  To my readers, thanks for reading a piece of my soul. I hope this book lets you escape even if just for a moment. I heart all of you all!

  About the Author

  Most days you can find Pixie running around trying to juggle 100 hats...one of which is Author. Btw, she still can't believe she gets to call herself that. What started out as a passion for book blogging turned into publishing her very first novella... Sealed with a Kiss. Pixie who is part of the LGBT Community, writes MF and FF stories that are sexy, insta-love stories full of heart and with a HEA.

  Her characters not only fall quickly, deeply, but are also possessive in nature. If she's not writing, then she's on Facebook...Tell her to get the hell out of there and get writing. You can follow her at any of the links below, or visit her at Pixie’s Chicas (bit.ly/2VFeESa) or her website (AuthorPixieChica.com). You can also sign up for her newsletter at eepurl.com/gAYbSr.

  "Where Love Always Wins.”

  Other Books by Author

  Always & Forever Series

  Sealed with a Kiss – Book 1

  In Plain Sight – Book 2

  The Ties That Bind – Book 3 (Dec 27th)

  Sweet & Spicy Series

  Teacher’s Pet – Book 1

  Forever Safe Romance Series

  Love at Sunset – Book 16

  (Also part o
f Love Unexpected Series - Book 1)

  *Collab with other authors*

  Love Unexpected Series

  Love at Sunset (See Link Above) – Book 1

  Undeniable Love – Book 2

  Unleashed Love – Book 3

  Valladares Family Saga

  Ivy’s Rebellion – Book 3

  *Collab with other authors*

  Tattooed Brides Series

  Loved by Her

  *Collab with other authors*

  Pixie Christmas Books – 2019

  Mistletoe

  Undercover Santa

  His Christmas Delivery