A New Tradition (4 page)

“Yes.” I knew it was too good to be true. They were a perfect couple, just like Ken and Barbie. “I need Wynn.”

“I’m sorry but he’s a little busy at the moment.” Her hand planted on the door, she leaned to the right.

“Can I please talk to him?” I begged, not caring how desperate I sounded. I followed her eyes as she scanned my body. She stopped at the pj’s.

“Who is it?” Wynn’s voice floated out the door.

“Wynn?” I rolled up on my tiptoes and yelled over Barbie.

His head popped over her shoulder. “Sabrina?” She stepped out of the way and he held the door open. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I busted into tears. I only had seconds before Mr. Bassett was going to Skype me.

“No, I’m not.” I held up the bag with all my work stuff in it. “The storm must’ve knocked my power out and I have that big meeting. Can I please tap into your electric?”

“Sure.” He opened the door and I stepped in. The smell of coffee swirled around my head and hung there, teasing me. “It knocked mine out too, but I have a backup generator. You are going to have to use Brandy’s phone to tether into the internet though.”

Brandy’s sky-high red high heels ticked across the floor as she reached into her huge Gucci bag, pulling out her fancy iPhone.

“Here.” She handed it to me. Her perfectly manicured nails made me green with envy. This was the exact type of girl I expected a man like Wynn to be with. “I can help you.”

Damn.
She had to be nice too?

Wynn went into another room in the cabin as Brandy worked on my laptop, adjusting all sorts of cords.

Within seconds she had me tied into the internet and connected to Mr. Bassett’s number.

I looked around the fully decorated Christmas cabin as the bubble sounds of Skype blurted out through my laptop. Not only had Wynn put up a Christmas tree, the staircase railing was wrapped in real garland with twinkling white lights. There were red votive candle holders spread across the fireplace mantle giving off the scent of cinnamon.

Brandy set a cup of coffee next to me. “Warm up with this.” She smiled, making me want to take a pair of pliers and jerk out every single perfectly straight tooth out of her head.

I forced a smile and waited to see what this old man looked like.

“Merry Christmas, Ms. Englehardt.” Mr. Bassett’s voice rang out before his face focused on the screen. “Sabrina?”

My mouth dropped. Wynn’s face was front and center in my Skype box, and then he disappeared.

“Something got crossed.” I hung the Skype up and tried Mr. Bassett again.

“Sabrina.” Wynn walked into the room. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. “Are you the owner of The Design Studio?”

Slowly, I nodded my head. Mr. Bassett wasn’t the old man I thought he was. Mr. Bassett was hot, hunky Wynn.

“Are you Mr. Bassett?” I swallowed hard, blinking my eyes, trying to catch my breath.

“Yes.” He spoke in an odd, yet gentle tone. “If I would have known, I would have. . .”

I put my hand out, stopping him from going any further. I gathered my belongings, my head hanging from embarrassment. There was no way I was going to land this deal. I was a mess, unorganized and standing there in my Hello Kitty pajamas with a silk blouse on.

“Don’t go.” The warmth of his hand on my shoulder trickled throughout my body, sending my heart into my dad’s boots.

“Please.” I begged, looking into his deep eyes. “I think I’ve embarrassed myself enough.”

“But. . .” Brandy tried to stop me before I ran past her and out the door.

Chapter Five

“Merry freaking Christmas.” I bolted through the door of the cabin, tears streaming down my face. Not only did Wynn not feel the same attraction I did, I wasn’t going to get the big casino deal for the company. And to throw salt in my wounds, I wasn’t going to be able to cook my Christmas dinner either.

I was stuck. The Mercedes was buried under the snow, and the nor’easter hadn’t slowed down a bit. If I could bury my head in the snow, I would.

Even Henry wasn’t cheering me up as he curled up in my lap when I sank down into the couch.

The thud at the door stopped my beating heart. Henry jumped down, pacing in front of the door with his tail wagging in the air.

“Listen, you don’t need to explain.” I whipped the door open, knowing that Wynn was going to be standing there.

“Merry Christmas!” Jenna and Macey busted through the door, backing me up to the fireplace. Their arms were filled with foil covered pans.

I busted out in tears.

“What? Did you think we were going to let you ride out this storm alone and on Christmas?” They gathered me in a hug, Henry dancing around our feet.

“I hope I’m not ruining the party”

We turned to find Wynn and Brandy standing in the door holding Eliza and a few packages.

“No,” Macey rushed over and welcomed them with open arms. “The more the merrier.”

I shot her a look. She shrugged. If she only knew.

“Who is that?” Jenna nudged me with her elbow, a spice in her voice.

“Mr. Bassett.” My voice was cold, depressing.

“I didn’t realize you were going to have company and we didn’t want you to be alone.” He took his coat and Brandy’s and sat them on the back of the couch. “I even brought my spare generator.”

Suddenly the lights came on.

“My brother-in-law is fast. He’s a genius with electricity.” He pointed to the burly guy with the beard walking in the door.

Brandy rushed over and threw her arms around his neck, giving him a Christmas kiss to remember.

“Brother-in-law?” I questioned.

“Yes.” His eyes danced with laughter. “Eww. You thought that Brandy was my…?”

“Yes. She’s beautiful.” I felt completely stupid. “I thought I had ruined your Christmas morning.”

“Not at all.” Brandy hung onto her husband. “Walter told me all about you last night when he got back to the cabin. He didn’t know we were going to be here a day early. I went ahead and decorated without him.  First time ever.”

“I was there.” Her husband pulled away with a hurt look on his face.

“I know, honey.” She kissed him again, shutting him up.

“Wynn. My name is Wynn.” He reminded his sister. “I’ve always hated the name Walter, so I made up my own name.”

“We brought some food and it looks like you did too.” Jenna took the packages from Wynn. But he held onto one.

“Okay, girls, let’s go cook since we got the generator all hooked up.” Brandy led the way into the kitchen.

Wynn’s hand reached out, stopping me from following them. His grasp encompassed more than my hand. A gasp escaped my lips.

“If I would’ve known who you were, I’d have told you.” His jaw was tight, his nearness was overwhelming. “This doesn’t change the deal. I want the Design Company to move forward with the casino in Biloxi.”

“Thank you! Oh, thank you!” I screamed, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling away just as fast. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. . .”

Gathering me into his arms, he held me snugly as his lips touched mine, caressing my mouth more than kissing it.

The kiss sent spirals of ecstasy through me. He rubbed his nose down my cheek, his breath hot on my neck. “I did mean to do that. I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you crossing the field looking for Henry.”

My lips recaptured his, more demanding this time, letting him know I felt the same way.

“Umm. . .I don’t mean to break up the little party, but there are some hors’d'oeuvres if you are hungry.” Jenna sat a plate on the coffee table with a huge smile on her face before disappearing around the fireplace and into the kitchen with the others.

Through hushed whispers, Wynn and I could hear the excitement as Jenna informed them of what she had just witnessed.

“Before I forget,” Wynn grabbed the small present that sat on their coats, “I got you this.”

“Oh, Wynn, I didn’t…” He put his finger up to my lips.

“How did you know that you were going to fall in love with Mr. Bassett on Christmas? I don’t expect a gift.” He exclaimed with extreme pleasure. “I had Brandy pick it up on her way here.”

Carefully, I unwrapped the present, making sure I savored every single moment.

The love in my heart traveled up my body and shone on my face. “A Cracker Jack box.” It was just like Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

“Open it.” He coaxed me as I ripped into it and took out the prize lying on top, a small gold ring. He took it out and grabbed my hand. “Sabrina, I’ve always followed my heart. And as you know, it’s never failed me.”

I put my hand up to my heart. I was sure it was going to beat right out of my body as I watched him get down on one knee.

“I was sure last night, but knowing who you really are, and getting to know you through emails over the last two years, and now I am more sure than ever.” His voice was firm and final. “Sabrina, will you and Henry marry me and Eliza?”

Without hesitation, a cry of relief broke from my lips. “Yes! Yes, I…we will marry you!”

The gang rushed in and formed a circle around us clapping, as Henry and Eliza danced around our feet.

“Merry Christmas!” Jenna yelled out as everyone cheered in unison.

“As Audrey would say, ‘I was born with an enormous need for affections and a terrible need to give it’.” I looked out among my friends.

“Be prepared for all the affection you can take.” Wynn’s large hands cupped my face. “I love you Sabrina Englehardt.”

“I love you too,” I whispered, nestling my face in the crook of his neck. “Scrooge has turned into Santa Claus.”

“What?” He whispered back.

“Nothing.” My smile radiated through my body down to my toes.

The Christmas lights sparkled throughout the cabin. Sweet, gentle warmth settled in my soul. This was the best Christmas ever.

Try to one-up this one Audrey.

A Note From The Author

Thank you so much for reading my novel. I’m truly grateful for the time we have spent together. Reviews are very important to an author’s career and I would appreciate it if you could take a couple minutes of your time by clicking on the click below and leaving a review for my novel. Thank you so much, and I hope we continue to meet in the world of books. ~Tonya Kappes

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About The Author

International bestselling author Tonya Kappes spends her day lost in the world of her quirky characters that get into even quirkier situations.

When she isn’t writing, she’s busy being the princess, queen and jester of her domain which includes her BFF husband, her teenage guys, two dogs, and one lazy Kitty.

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