A Family This Christmas (14 page)

‘Don’t talk all night. I’m looking forward to going to bed.’

The last time this gorgeous man had mentioned going to bed she’d imagined what it might be like. Now, after their lovemaking in Kahurangi and over the last two nights, she had a few clues. ‘Maybe I’m worth waiting for.’ She grinned.

‘Lady, I waited a whole week to make love to you again. That was more than enough.’

Thank goodness Dad answered her call. He disliked talking on the phone so the conversation was brief and successful. ‘Dad will email me flight details tomorrow.’ Jenny dropped her phone on the table and took Cam’s hand. ‘Come on. What are you sitting around here for?’

Cam stood up and reached for her. When his lips brushed her mouth she all but melted. ‘Bedroom. Fast.’

* * *

The next morning she was woken by the twins bringing her a cup of tea. ‘Thanks, Andrew, Marcus.’ She stretched her toes towards the end of the king-size bed. ‘I definitely could get used to this,’ she said, repeating what she’d said the first morning she’d woken up in this house. Though that had been in the bedroom down the hall.

‘Have you seen all the presents under the tree?’ Andrew asked.

‘There are lots and lots and lots.’ Marcus grinned.

‘It’s exciting, isn’t it?’ She grinned back. ‘Where’s your dad?’

‘Getting breakfast.’

‘We’re having a barbecue.’

‘Bacon and eggs.’

‘And hash browns and mushrooms.’

Jenny’s head was spinning as the boys gabbled at her. ‘I’d better get up, then. I don’t want to miss out.’

‘Finish your tea first.’ Cam stood in the doorway, looking at her with love in his eyes. ‘We’ve got all morning.’

She shook her head at him. ‘I’ve got to go to the grocery store later. We’re going to make double chocolate chip Santa biscuits this morning.’

* * *

The kitchen turned into a familiar mess as Jenny supervised the mixing of the biscuit batter. ‘How does flour spread so far?’ she mock growled at the boys.

‘Something to do with the way you shake the packet as you’re filling the measuring cup,’ Cam said. ‘I’ve never seen anyone create flour clouds before.’

‘Hey!’ Jenny caught Marcus’s hand before it reached his mouth. ‘Don’t eat all those chocolate buttons. We need some for the cookies.’

Andrew quickly shovelled a handful into his mouth and began chewing hard. His eyes bulged as he tried not to laugh.

‘Not fair,’ Marcus grumped.

Jenny let go his hand and reached into the shopping bag. ‘Just as well I bought double the quantity needed.’

‘You’re spoiling them.’ Cam helped himself to a few buttons. Then he picked up some more and began feeding her one by one.

Her tongue grazed his fingertips and she saw the jolt of hot need zipping through his eyes, felt the reciprocal desire heat her body.

In the background she thought she heard ‘Yuck’ and ‘Gross’ but she couldn’t be sure and she wasn’t stopping to ask the boys what they’d said. Then reality slipped into the heat haze that was her mind right now. The boys. They weren’t alone. She pulled away.

‘Welcome to the real world,’ Cam whispered.

Funny how that only made her feel happier. ‘Better get these cookies in the oven. Marcus, can you cut the Santa shapes while, Andrew, you can put the liquorice on their chins.’

Cam shook his head. ‘Talk about left-field Santas.’

The boys hurried through their tasks and then went over to the tree to rustle amongst the parcels.

‘Hey, guys, leave those for Christmas Day.’ Cam spoke firmly.

‘We’re giving Jenny ours now.’

‘Are you sure you don’t want to wait?’ Cam wore a frown.

‘She needs it as soon as possible.’

What’s going on?
Jenny looked from Cam to his sons and back. ‘I can wait.’

‘No, you can’t,’ Andrew informed her, as he lifted a square parcel from the back of all the presents.

‘We want you to have this.’ Marcus took a corner of the present.

Together the boys handed it over to her. ‘We made it.’

Jenny took the proffered gift. ‘Thank you, Andrew. Thank you, Marcus.’ She dropped a kiss on each forehead before glancing up at Cam to see him swallowing hard.
What was this?

It felt hard and flat-sided, and she very carefully unwrapped the parcel. As the red and green paper fell aside she found a wooden box with a tiny bronze lock and key and it was painted bright green. ‘You made this?’ she asked around the tears in her throat. ‘For me? It’s beautiful.’

‘It’s to put your mojo in.’

‘We don’t want you to lose it again.’

The floor pushed up at the bottoms of her feet. She grabbed the counter to remain upright, holding on until the dizziness abated. ‘Thank you,’ she managed to whisper, before the floodgates opened and the tears became a torrent. Running a hand over the box, she twisted the key and lifted the lid. ‘Thank you,’ she repeated.

Cam’s hand was warm on her shoulder. ‘You okay?’

‘More than okay. You have the world’s best two boys.’

‘I reckon.’

Marcus said, ‘We’re glad we found you in the shop.’

‘Jenny,’ Andrew said. ‘Are you going to the farm with us for Christmas?’

‘Yes. Your dad asked me last night.’ Between kisses.

‘Are you staying for ever?’

Jenny raised her gaze to Cam’s, gave him a watery smile. ‘I hope so.’

One of the boys—she wasn’t sure which for all the hammering of her heart echoing in her head—asked, ‘Can we have a wedding? Like Toby Sorenson’s parents did? That was cool.’

Cam grinned. ‘That’s meant to be my line, guys.’

Jenny was speechless. Her eyes took in Cam and Marcus and Andrew all staring at her, waiting for something from her. Her mouth dropped open but no words came out. Deep inside the final knot in her stomach unravelled, spreading warmth and love through her. Her chest rose as she drew in a breath. ‘Yes, let’s have a wedding.’

‘Cool.’

‘Cool.’

Cam said, ‘I love you.’

‘And I love the three of you.’ Another flood of tears began. Talk about getting all her Christmases in one year.

Impervious to the tears, Cam reached for her and kissed her, long and lovingly. ‘I love you,’ he whispered again, and went back to kissing her.

And for once the boys refrained from saying a word. Jenny knew that thankfully it was only a respite, not a permanent change. She loved her family just the way they were.

* * *

As Cam finally lifted his mouth from those delectable lips he smiled like the cat with the cream.

Note to self:
never let a day go by without remembering how much you love this woman.

* * * * *

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ISBN-13: 9781460344347

A Family This Christmas

Copyright © 2014 by Sue MacKay

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