The Key to his Heart for Christmas Read online

  I chuckled. “I do, don’t worry.”

  We showered together, washing each other thoroughly, then dressed in flannel pants and sweatshirts. Sayer built the fire and I turned on the tree and carols.

  “Merry Christmas,” I said, bringing to mugs of eggnog from the kitchen.

  “Merry Christmas,” he said.

  “I’m glad you like eggnog. Liz hated it, but I look forward to it every year.”

  “It’s better with a bit of brandy,” Sayer said.

  “I’ll remember that. I don’t have any now, though.”

  I put down my mug and fetched Sayer’s present.

  “I picked this up for you. It’s not much, but I wanted to give you something.” I watched his long fingers unwrap it.

  “Oh, Dane. I was looking at this in that store.” He turned the old brass key over in his hand.

  I nodded. “I had to be extra stealthy.”

  “You shouldn’t have.” He looked up at me. “But I love it. Thank you.”

  I kissed him. “Key to my heart. You’re welcome.”

  Sayer blushed, then stood and got the other present out from under the tree. “I hope you like this.”

  I could tell by the size and feel that it was one of the small canvases I’d had in my closet and my stomach filled with butterflies knowing Sayer was giving me one of his paintings. I carefully unwrapped it and drew in a breath when I saw Sayer had painted Boone.

  “Oh, my God, how did you get him to sit still?”

  Sayer laughed. “I didn’t. I just sketched fast and filled the rest in by memory.”

  I looked at him. “I love it. Really. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome.” Sayer looked toward the window. “How about a good snowball fight with Boone?”

  I smiled and propped the painting on the table. “Sounds like fun.”

  I hoped I’d be able to convince Sayer to stay with me rather than at the shelter. After all, I had a feeling he’d be spending most of his time at my house anyway. But I wasn’t going to push it. I was happy enough that he’d agreed to stay in Riverbend. That he’d said he could have feelings for me.

  After pelting each other and a barking, leaping Boone for a long time and then building a lop-sided snowman, we came in and dried off Boone with a towel.

  “Ugh, nothing like the smell of wet dog,” Sayer said, wrinkling his nose.

  “You can help me bathe him later,” I told him with a wink.

  We cuddled on the couch and watched A Christmas Carol, White Christmas, Home Alone, and Christmas with the Kranks before falling asleep in front of the fire, scraps of the leftovers from the night before on the side table, ending the best Christmas I’d ever had.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Epilogue Sayer

  One Year Later

  I sat down in the warm coffee shop, my eyes roaming over the newest set of paintings on the walls. Aliyha had immediately liked my work, just as Dane had said she would, and the first batch of paintings she’d shown for me had sold fast. Now I paid her a fee to display them, even though she claimed to want to do it for free. Being financially on my feet again felt amazing, and I could now see I was a different man for it. I’d had my friend in Woodson who’d been keeping my paintings send them to me, and with Dane’s help, I’d started selling them online as well as in Aliyah’s coffee shop. The confidence that came from selling my art and being my own boss was life changing. Of course, having a gorgeous guy like Dane as a boyfriend didn’t hurt. Tourists who poured through Riverbend all year long had bought up everything I’d painted so far, other than what was now on the wall, quickly earning me enough money to pay a protesting Dane for the weeks I’d spent with him before getting back on my feet. Now I also paid half the mortgage.

  I couldn’t be happier with our relationship. I’d honest to God been afraid for the longest time Dane would wake up one morning and ask himself what in the hell he was doing with me, but it hadn’t happened yet. I would swear we were even more in love.

  Aliyah brought me a cup of coffee.

  “One’s missing,” I said, looking at the wall of paintings again. “Has something sold?”

  Aliyah grinned, wrinkles fanning from her almond-shaped eyes, and took an envelope from her apron.

  “A gentleman bought the painting of the deer herd just this morning. Said it was a perfect Christmas present for his wife.”

  I took the envelope and peered inside. “Oh, my God. You sold it for that much?”

  Aliyah nodded. “I took a chance when he asked me how much it was. He looked like he had money.”

  I counted the bills again. “I can’t believe this. Let me give you your percentage.”

  “Already took it out, hon.”

  My eyes widened. “Wow.” A thought occurred to me. “Hey, can I have the coffee to go? You’re probably wanting to close up early anyway.”

  “Sure.”

  When Aliyah handed me the Styrofoam cup, I took it and kissed her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas.”

  “You too. Thank Dane again for me for the beautiful gift you guys gave me.”

  We’d bought her a statue for her garden from the antique store and had been so pleased at how much she’d loved it.

  “I will. Merry Christmas.”

  I left the shop and headed directly for Black’s Jewelry down the street. I’d chosen a ring for Dane but hadn’t had the funds and figured I’d wait until his birthday.

  Now, with the unexpected sale of this painting, I could buy it. That is, if the jewelry store was open.

  “Please be open,” I murmured as I speed-walked down the street, hoping Black’s jewelry was one of the shops that ran half a day on Christmas Eve to accommodate last-minute shoppers.

  I caught Mr. Black locking up his cases. When the bell jingled over the door, he looked up at me.

  “Hello, Sayer. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “I want the ring I was looking at a couple of weeks ago,” I told him. “I’ll be paying in cash.”

  Black’s face lit up, and he hastened to get the ring for me. Thank God it was already Dane’s size, or I’d have to have it sent off and wouldn’t be able to give it to him tonight.

  “Going to make an honest man out of your beau, I take it,” Black said, and I couldn’t help but grin at his old-fashioned way of putting a concept that was anything but old-fashioned. He didn’t seem to have a problem with gay marriage, which was refreshing for a man his age.

  “I sure am. Thank you sir,” I said when he handed me the velvet box and receipt.

  I whistled all the way to my truck—one very similar to Dane’s that I’d bought a few months ago. I need it for driving back and forth from our cottage.

  “Hey, Sayer.”

  I turned around to find Rod Wentworth, Dane’s fellow firefighter, behind me, arms full of packages.

  “Hey, Rod. You doing all your shopping today?”

  “Yeah, and it sucks,” Rod said. “I’m done now, though, and heading home. You and Dane have a good one.”

  Dane was working today but had tomorrow off. I waved to Rod, who had taken a while to accept us as a couple but had finally come around. I climbed into my truck.

  Snow was coming down fast, and by the time I’d stopped at the grocery store and gotten what we needed, it was almost a white out. I texted Dane, telling him to be careful coming home. I knew he’d do everything he could to get there, and I wanted him in one piece.

  At home, Boone greeted me with his normal tail wagging and standing on his back paws.

  “Down, you monster,” I said, ruffling his fur. “Just wait until you see what I got Daddy. You think he’ll say yes, boy?”

  “I know he will.” The voice startled me, and I almost dropped the groceries. Dane rushed to help me.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Why aren’t you at work? Where’s your truck?”

  “I let Mike borrow it. He has to pick up his in-laws from the airport and his car’s on its last leg
. He dropped me off an hour ago.” He set the bags on the counter.

  “But I thought you had to work until late.”

  “When it started snowing so hard, the chief sent me home, afraid I’d miss Christmas if I stayed the full shift. He’s covering for me.”

  “That was nice of him.”

  Dane pulled me close and kissed me, and for a moment, I lost the ability to think.

  “Now, what were you telling Boone about? What am I going to say yes to?”

  Biting my lip, I tugged Dane into the living room and plugged in the tree. Dane watched me, eyes twinkling. I wasn’t sure if he knew what I was up to or not, and then decided he definitely did not as his eyes widened when I got down on one knee.

  “Dane McCormick, my savior in the snow, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?”

  Dane’s eyes grew misty. Then he dropped to his knees in front of me and looked me in the eyes. “Yes. Yes!”

  We kissed, and Boone started barking.

  “Oh, my God, I’m so happy,” Dane said. I handed him the velvet box, and he slowly opened it. “Sayer, it’s beautiful! Fuck, this looks so expensive.”

  “I thought of you the moment I laid eyes on it. The sale of a painting this morning allowed me to buy it early. Otherwise, the proposal would have had to wait until your birthday in April.” I took the ring out of the box and slipped it on his finger. “Don’t cry, honey.” I kissed away his tears.

  “I’m just so fucking happy.” Dane sniffled.

  “Me too,” I said, pressing my forehead to his. Boone wiggled his way between us, so big, he pushed us apart. We laughed and hugged him and told him we were officially a family now.

  Later, as we drank eggnog and stared at the tree, trying to guess what was in the packages, I held Dane’s hand, running my finger over the ring, my cheek resting on his flannel shirt.

  “I want to get one for you too,” Dane said.

  My chest constricted with emotion. “I’ll wear one if you want. Or you can give me mine at the ceremony.”

  Dane kissed the top of my head. “When do you want to get married?”

  “As soon as possible,” I said seriously.

  “Okay. We’ll start planning right away.” He lifted my chin and kissed me, firelight dancing over the walls as the snow came down outside, securing us in our love nest.

  I didn’t care if the snow stayed until spring.

  About the Author

  Rebecca James is married and the mother of three children. An avid reader and prolific writer, she enjoys rainy days, animals, and chocolate.

  Check out Rebecca James on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Bookbub, and Wordpress, as well as on Amazon. Subscribe to my newsletter for freebies, extras, and news of upcoming releases.

  Books by Rebecca James

  CONTEMPORARY

  Partners and Lovers

  The Hedonist MC series

  The Ballerino and the Biker

  The Pet Stylist and the Playboy

  The Brat and the Bossman

  The Survivor and his Safe Place

  The Hacker and his Heart’s Desire

  Coming Soon: The Diva and his Daddy

  PARANORMAL

  The River Wolf Pack series

  First Omega

  Second Alpha

  Third Mate

  The Angel Hills series

  Omega Arrival

  Ripples of Threat

  The Cascade City Pack series

  A New Beginning

  Breaking the Bonds

  SCI-FANTASY

  The Wolves of Daos 5

  Teresias Bound

  OMEGAVERSE

  The Alpha’s Forbidden Omega

  NOVELLAS

  The Bogus Boyfriend

  The Key to his Heart for Christmas