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  I shook my head no but stayed silent.

  “Please, Cass. I love you.”

  Brody

  I walked quietly through the back door of the bookstore. I was here early and was surprised to find Cass still at work, so I decided to surprise her. I knew she had wanted to get a lot done tonight. I quietly closed the door behind me and walked up to the front of the building. As soon as I saw what was going on out in the front room, I stopped dead in the doorway. Ray stood, his hands on her shoulders.

  “Cass, I love you.” His voice sounded restrained and sad.

  I watched, not saying a word, my heart in my throat, the silence between the two of them so loud.

  “Please, Cass, I need you to come back to me,” he whispered, running his hands over her shoulders.

  My first instinct was to charge in there and drop him, but I stood completely frozen to my spot. Why wasn't she saying anything?

  I had to turn away, I couldn't watch this anymore. I couldn't bear to see what was going to happen between the two of them. I was just about to give up and leave when I heard her tiny voice answer.

  “Ray, we’re over. Everything that has happened over the last two months with Brody coming back has shown me I'm in love with him, Ray. I'm in love with Brody, and I always have been. My heart belongs to him.”

  “Well, I guess that's all I need to hear. Goodbye, Cass.”

  Tears stung my eyes. She hadn't really told me that. Sure, we had exchanged I love yous, but she hadn't said it like that.

  I watched Ray, without another word, his head hung low, leave through the front door, leaving Cass to stand there alone. He stopped outside the store window for a moment and placed his hand on the glass, looking at her, almost like he was taking a mental picture of the way she looked before he walked away for good. After he was gone, I watched her walk over and lock the door.

  “Goodbye,” she mumbled.

  I didn't want her to know I had heard what was going on, so I quietly slipped back to the back of the building and opened and closed the back door, shutting it hard enough so she would hear it.

  “Hello?” She called.

  “It's just me, Cass,” I called as I walked out to the front. She was in the same spot, loading books up onto the shelf as if nothing had happened.

  “I thought you wouldn't be back until later tonight?”

  “That was the plan, but we decided to come back earlier. I saw you were still here, so I thought I would stop.”

  “Great! Maybe an early night then,” she winked and smiled, looking over her shoulder in my direction.

  I came up behind her and took the books from her hand, putting them down on the cart and pulled her into my arms.

  “Distracting me already.”

  She smiled up at me as I looked into her eyes. “I love you.” I placed my hand on her cheek, leaned in, and kissed her.

  “I love you too, Brody,” she whispered when we parted.

  “What do you say we head home?”

  “I'd like that.” Pressing her lips against mine, I knew I had finally found my way home.

  33

  Cass

  “Half hour until midnight!” I called out the back door while holding onto Missy. Brody came through the sliding door, carrying the last bucket of wood he planned on bringing in for the night. Snow had been dumping heavily most of the day which caused me to have to shut the store early and come home. “Do you think that’s enough wood?” I asked, closing the door behind him.

  “It should last us a few days, long enough until I can at least clean out a path to the woodpile once the storm stops.” I locked the back door and pulled the heavy curtains across the cold glass, shutting out the raging storm.

  “Did you want another tea? Or a hot chocolate?”

  “Hot chocolate.” He looked over his shoulder at me and smiled as he took his coat off and started unloading the wood from the basket onto the large pile. “With whipped cream,” he called.

  While waiting for the milk to warm, I stood back and watched Brody carefully stacking the wood, then throw a few pieces into the fire. Finally, for the first time in a long time, I could say I was happy, content, and that the house felt like home.

  I poured the warm milk into the mugs, dumping generous amounts of chocolate into each cup and stirring them, then spraying them both with a dollop of whipped cream. I carried both mugs into the living room and headed back over to the couch where we had been curled up together while I wrote, and Brody watched TV. I sat back down and pulled the laptop onto my lap. I only had another half a chapter to write before I hit the end of the short story. Brody settled onto the couch beside me.

  I had been typing away for about fifteen mins when Brody rested his chin on my shoulder to read what I was writing.

  “What you working on? Anything fun that maybe we can work through together?” He winked as I met his eyes.

  “Maybe,” I giggled and turned my attention back to the screen.

  “You almost finished for tonight?

  “Maybe ten more minutes or so,” I said, deep in thought, trying to get this idea down before it escaped me.

  “I really want some attention baby,” he said, putting his arm around me.

  I did my best to ignore his pouting lips, but when he grabbed my hand, pulled it away from the keyboard, and placed it on his hard, throbbing cock, it was much harder to ignore. I turned to face him, his lips meeting mine with need and hunger, his tongue sweeping deep into my mouth. He lifted the laptop from my lap and put it on the table, crashing back into me before I could protest, running his hands over my body.

  “Brody, please, I really need to get this finished,” I said giggling, reaching for the laptop, but Brody pushed me back against the couch.

  “Nope, you’re mine! I plan to be inside of you at the start of the new year.”

  Brody got up from the couch, effortlessly picked me up from where I was sitting, and carried me into the bedroom. I let out a loud laugh as he threw me on the bed and pulled my pants from my body. Sliding the bottom of my shirt up, he trailed kisses down my abdomen, his fingers tracing the edge of the waistband of my panties.

  “I want to rip these babies off of you,” he growled.

  “No way, they’re my favorite.” I let out a little giggle and raised my butt a little, so I could slide them off.

  He knelt on the bed, kissing me. I pulled at the back of his shirt and it quickly found its way to the floor, along with his lounge pants. Crawling between my legs, he allowed me to lock mine around his waist. I watched as he stroked himself a couple of times before he placed himself at my entrance and slid into me.

  We lay under the covers together, our sweaty bodies wrapped up in one another, Missy curled up at our feet.

  “God, I love making love to you.” Brody whispered into my ear, breathless. He placed gentle kisses along my neck, just below my ear, and pulled me against him.

  I glanced at the time, just a little after one.

  “We missed the new year,” I giggled.

  “No, we didn’t, I was right where I said I would be, and you were right where I wanted you, moaning my name,” he quietly whispered in my ear.

  I rolled into his chest, his arms wrapping around my body as I buried my face into his neck, breathing in his scent. He was right, I was right where I wanted to be, wrapped in the comfort of his arms on this silent night.

  Epilogue

  Two Years Later

  Cass

  * * *

  I glanced down at my watch, it was a little after one. I figured Brody would be here soon as I placed the last book that was in the box on the shelf. My back was killing me. I was so done with being pregnant. Jessica was helping a couple customers out front, so I was going to head to the back and have a break when I heard the front bell jingle.

  “Cass, there you are.” May came strolling in the store, carrying her bag of knitting. “I have something for you, dear.” She plopped the bag on the counter and pulled out a beaut
ifully knit afghan in an array of colors.

  “May, this is beautiful. Thank you.”

  “I can’t stay and chat, dear, but I wanted to drop this off to you while you were still here. That little bundle will be arriving any day now,” she said resting her hand on my belly. As if in response to her, the baby gave a pretty good kick. May let out a laugh.

  “I was just going to go have some tea, do you want to join me, May?”

  “I can’t, dear. I have a date with my ladies for a knitting class. You should give it a try again.”

  I let out a small giggle. “I’ll stick to my writing.”

  “Alright, dear, it’s never too late to change your mind.” She waved and headed out the door. I looked down at the blanket in my hands and smiled to myself.

  “You okay out here, Jessica?”

  “Of course, go on and take a rest.”

  “Would you like some tea?” I asked.

  “Yes, please.”

  I waddled into the back room, put the kettle on, and sat down at the table.

  “Cass!” I heard the back door open and Brody’s deep voice call my name.

  “In here.”

  Brody came strolling into the shop, carrying a small box.

  “Hey gorgeous.” He sat the box on the table and leaned down and gave me a kiss, placing his hand on my belly. “How are you feeling?”

  “Tired. I’m ready to be done with this. Whatever you do, don't get me pregnant again, okay?” I smiled, kissing him again. “What's in the box?”

  “Why don't you open it, it's for you.”

  Brody pulled his pocket knife out and cut through the tape, sliding the box over to me. I opened the flaps, and inside sat a few paperback copies of my newest release from my publisher with a simple note. I picked up the piece of paper and read it aloud. “Cass, congrats on hitting the top ten!” Tears flooded my eyes.

  “Congrats, babe, she called just as I got home. I knew you would want me to bring this down.”

  “I owe it all to you,” I said, taking his hand in mine.

  “Nope, you're the one with the talent.”

  I heard Jessica call my name from out front. “Coming,” I called.

  Brody took my hand and helped me up from where I was sitting and followed me out front, carrying the small box of books. Ray stood on the other side of the counter.

  “Ray,” I smiled, “how are things?”

  “Good, Cass. How are you?”

  “I'm doing well. Thanks.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brody hand Jessica the small box of books and watched as she went over and placed them on the shelf that held all my other republished titles. He came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist.

  “Ray,” he nodded.

  I hadn't seen Ray since the night he had been at the store. He had written me a letter explaining he had retired from working on vehicles at his garage and was taking on more of a managerial role, scheduling and looking after the books. Once that transition had taken over, Ray sold his house and decided to move down south for a while with a couple of his friends. I had heard recently he was back in town and living in a condo just off the water.

  “Brody. I ran into May earlier today. I wanted to come by and congratulate you both.” He handed me a bag, a yellow teddy bear peaking up over the edge of the bag.

  “Thank you.” I gave him a gentle smile.

  I walked around the counter and gave him a hug. I didn't hold any bad feelings toward him anymore. Brody and I had talked about the whole situation. I had decided that if Ray was back for good, Brody needed to know it was important to me to have Ray in my life in some way.

  “Don't be a stranger, okay? We want to have you over for a barbeque after the baby is born,” I whispered.

  “That sounds good, Cass, I'd like that.”

  He let me go and looked to Brody. “Make sure you take care of her.”

  “Always, Ray.” Brody held out his hand to Ray. They shook hands for the first time, and Ray headed back toward the door.

  I watched as he walked outside and back down the street. Brody came up behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

  “What do you say we head home for the night?”

  I nodded, grabbing his hand with mine. “Jessica, you okay to lock up tonight?”

  “Of course, Mrs. Thompson. I’m good.”

  I grabbed my purse from the back room and hand in hand, we walked out to Brody's truck and headed home to celebrate.

  Connor Jackson was born just shy of midnight a couple of weeks later with Brody at my side, coaching me every step of the way. Together, as we looked down into that innocent little face, nothing had ever felt more complete.

  * * *

  <<<

  Back to You this Christmas

  Back to You this Christmas

  Copyright © 2019 by S.L. Sterling

  * * *

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved about, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of the book. This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Disclaimer: This book contains mature content not suitable for those under the age of 18. It involves strong language and sexual situations. All parties portrayed in sexual situations are consenting adults over the age of 18.

  * * *

  ISBN: 978-1-989-56605-03

  * * *

  Editor: Brandi Aquino, Editing Done Write

  Cover Design: Sarah Paige, Opium House Creatives

  Dedicated to my sister, my best friend.

  Thank you for always being there for me.

  1

  Alexa – Earlier that year

  * * *

  While I sat waiting for the plane to board, I sipped on my coffee and fiddled with my phone. The airport was busy, as always, and I was on my way to my next photo shoot location. I had spent the last three years freelancing as a photographer and had traveled halfway around the world, visiting places like Paris, Italy, France, and Australia. It had been a wonderful experience, and at the young age of twenty-six, I had seen more of the world than people double my age. The traveling was amazing and part of the reason why I had gone into this line of work, but lately it wasn’t enough; I felt something important was missing.

  Those feelings began two days ago, while I was photographing this girl, Jasmine, on the day of her wedding with her mother. As I looked at them, laughing, through the lens of my camera, I began to miss home something terrible. Not only did I miss my parents, but I missed my bed, the sounds of the house, the homemade meals, everything. I had to put those feeling out of my mind in order to go on with rest of my day, being as happy and professional as I could, even though I was fighting back tears.

  When I’d returned to my apartment that night, I was exhausted. I’d dropped my equipment to the floor and headed into the kitchen to make tea. However, it wasn't long before I found myself curled up on the kitchen floor crying my eyes out over everything that had happened over the last year. I’d hit a rough patch, and something had to change.

  Eight months earlier, I had started dating my boss, something I had sworn I would never do, but he had been charming and relentless, so I had given in. Things had been going well, almost too well, and then what I feared the most happened. I had returned to the office after a rather rough day four weeks ago, and I’d found a letter addressed to me sitting on my desk. It was late, I was tired, so I shoved the envelope in my bag planning to read it at home. That had been a good plan on my part because inside the envelope, I’d found a letter exp
laining that things weren’t working out between us and he thought it would better if we parted ways. We were over and I'd been fired.

  For whatever reason, I hadn’t been able to get the letter out of my mind. I’d wiped the tears from my cheek and blew my nose. I’d desperately needed to talk to my mother, so I’d pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed home. I’d needed to hear her voice and crossed my fingers that she was home, and she answered. I’d felt so defeated and wondered if maybe it was time I went home for a longer visit than my regular thirty-six-hour period.

  Mom's voice finally broke through the other end of the phone. "Hey, sweetie, you’re calling late." Then her voice quivered a little. "Everything okay?"

  Shit, I had forgotten to do the time conversion before I called. It had to be eleven at night back at home.

  "Everything is fine, Mom. Just really missing home," I answered quickly, sniffling and picking at my broken fingernail. I didn't blame her for worrying. I was her baby, off on the other side of the world, most of the time in the middle of nowhere, generally photographing animals and local people for magazine articles. Of course, she would worry when I made a call this late at night.

  "Lexi you don't sound okay."

  "Just a tough day, I guess. What’s new?" I wanted to change the subject. I didn't want to focus on the troubles I’d had today. Hell, I still hadn’t told her that I had broken up with Gary and that I’d been fired. I’d been holding out because I didn’t want her to worry about me. She still didn’t even know that I was working for someone else.

  "Well, really, we are just getting ready for the wedding tomorrow."

  "What wedding?" I asked, sniffling.

  "Drew and Laura's. Your brother just got in tonight and they've gone out celebrating. I wish you could be here for this. I know Drew would have loved to have you there."