Page 75 of Yuletide Guard

He held out his hand to help her into the sleigh, and shesmiled at him as she took it and climbed in. Michael joined her, spread a blanket over their knees, and took the reins. The clip-clop of the horse’s hooves and the sound of tinkling bells filled the evening. With the snow swirling around them it really was magical. The only thing that would make things perfect was Samara telling him that she forgave him and they could work things out.

Bepatient, he reminded himself.

She still had at least some feelings for him. In time he believed he could repair the damage he had caused.

“When do I get to drive?” Samara asked.

Michael laughed.

Love was crazy and unpredictable and sometimes painful, but then it gave you moments like this one. Moments where even the pain and heartache were worthwhile just to experience one beautiful, perfect second with the person you loved.

Moments like this you cherished with every fiber of your being.

*****

8:38 P.M.

This had been one of the best nights of her life.

Michael had really gone all out to make this night special. The dinner in the gazebo had been amazing, with the snow falling and the fire crackling and the music playing, and all the lights, it had been magical. And the sleigh ride had been the icing on the cake. It had been an incredible night, and she didn't want it to end.

But it had.

They were driving back to her house now, and then they’d say goodbye, and she’d go to bed alone.

Or would she?

Samara was so confused.

She still didn't know what to do about Michael.

He wanted the two of them to get back together, that’s what tonight had been all about. She still loved him, she knew he knew that, but she wasn't sure about them being a couple. Perhaps they should just go back to being friends. That way he could always be a part of her life, but she didn't have to think about risking her heart again.

“Hey,” Samara said as they approached her house. “What’s with my house?”

“Just another little surprise,” Michael replied, sounding both excited and a little smug.

“Littlesurprise?” she repeated. Lights were strung all around her roof. On her lawn was an illuminated Santa in a sleigh and four reindeer, and as they pulled into the driveway she could see a large green wreath with silver and gold baubles hanging on her front door.

“You like it?”

“I love it. Who did you get to do this while we were having dinner?”

“You’ll see when we get inside.”

She assumed he’d managed to wrangle a couple of their friends and ask them to help out with another surprise for her. She didn't know who since her brother Fin and Chloe had three-year-old Asher and were a month away from having their second child. Tom and Hannah had two little girls now, three-year-old Noelle and seven-month-old Joy. Brady and Aurora had nine-month-old Star, and Sawyer and Ashley had two-month-old twins Jackson and Janelle. She couldn’t imagine that any of them would have the time to come and decorate her house, they’d want to be spending time with their families on Christmas Eve.

When they stepped inside her house, she realized exactlywhat Michael had done.

Garlands strung with lights circled the banisters, the doorways, and the fireplace mantle. A stocking hung by the fireplace, a huge Christmas tree was in the corner, decorated with lights, tinsel, and dozens of decorations. Under the tree were boxes of gifts wrapped in brightly colored paper. She could smell the cookies and gingerbread even before she saw the plates on the coffee table, everything looked delicious, and the gingerbread house looked amazing. On a small table by the tree, there was a plate with a couple of cookies, a bunch of carrots, a glass of milk, and a copy of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. A sprig of mistletoe hung above the front door.

This was everything she had told Michael when he’d asked her what her perfect Christmas had looked like.

He hadn't forgotten a single thing.

This was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her.

Everyone was there: her brother and his family, her friends, her bosses and their extended families. He must have rallied everyone to come and work together so that it would all be finished by the time he brought her home.