Brenda's Christmas Desire (4 page)

The drive home took twice as long as it did to get there that day. The temperature increased a couple degrees and the sun peeked through the clouds. Everyone that waited to leave their home until late that morning, decided to leave all at once that night.

Brenda felt happy to see the front porch light shining bright as she pulled into her driveway. She opened the front door and deposited Daisy in the living room before she retrieved the boxes from the porch. She was anxious and excited to open the gift her aunt bought her after all these years and especially the box of her parents’ ornaments. Her aunt had wrapped the packages in plastic and secured them with an overabundance of tape. Brenda stood on the porch and struggled with the tape. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted movement and a figure, dressed in black, as they walked up her driveway.

****

John grabbed his jacket, locked his car, and walked toward Brenda’s house. She stood on the porch as he walked up the drive. She had a huge grin on her face and was trying to rip the tape off of a small box. “Honey, looks like you need a big, strong man to help you with that package,” he said humorously.

“John… John… You’re home.”

Brenda wrapped her free arm around his neck and pressed her body into his. Her lips found his and he never wanted to let go, but she shivered in his arms.

“Let’s go inside and finish this properly, where it’s warm and we can take our clothes off.”

“Yeah, I think the temperature’s dropped since I arrived home,” Brenda said as shivers shook her body.

Once inside, he kissed Brenda on the neck and teasingly shook the box she’d been trying to open, “There’s no label on this box. You don’t have a secret admirer do you?” Brenda wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed.

“No. My aunt found a box belonging to my parents and she dropped off the box, along with a present for me. We’ve never exchanged gifts in all the years I lived with her, so I can’t wait to see what she bought me,” Brenda said excitedly.

They both turned and laughed at Daisy’s insistent whimpering.

“I think we might need to keep our clothes on for a little while longer. Daisy wants to say hello, probably eat, potty, and drink some water, and then play a little. After all that, I want to hear what happened on your trip.”

John didn’t want to talk about how they apprehended Rebollo. If an informant in Rebollo’s cartel hadn’t given them solid intel, Rebollo would’ve already been back in Mexico by now. It was over. He took a cleansing deep breath, looked around and noticed Christmas decorations on almost every surface of Brenda’s living room.

“Hey, the house looks great—very festive.”

“Are you trying to distract me from talking about your work?” Brenda asked.

“No, sorry. But, there are some details I can’t talk about. I
can
tell you we got the bad guy and sent him back to prison without anyone else getting hurt. That’s what’s most important.”

“What’s most important to me is that
you
didn’t get hurt.”

“I’m tired, but perfectly fine,” John replied. “But, I worried about you and how you’d handle today—without me.”

“We’ll, I spent most of the night decorating, which made me feel good. And then my aunt called and I got the impression that she’s getting over the past too. So, I’m tired too, but doing great. Aren’t we the pair?”

“Yes, we are,” he said as he leaned in for another kiss. Before he reached her lips they heard a rustling sound and Daisy whimpered louder.

“Do you mind letting Daisy out while I open my box?” Brenda asked him.

“Sure. Take your time, honey.” He unlatched the carrier door and Daisy shot out like her tail was on fire and raced around the room twice, before collapsing at his feet. He laughed at the puppy’s antics.

Brenda sat down in a chair and had both boxes on her lap, still wrapped. “What are you going to open first—your parents’ box or your aunt’s gift?” he asked.

“I can’t decide.”

He picked up the puppy and sat next to Brenda. Daisy leaned forward and licked Brenda’s aunt’s gift. “I guess Daisy chose for you.”

After unwrapping the red paper, Brenda reached into a couple layers of tissue and withdrew what looked like a Christmas tree topper.

“Oh John, look. Isn’t the angel beautiful?”

“Yes, it is. What does the note say?” He’d noticed Brenda didn’t see the small envelope in the bottom of the box. She unfolded the note and read the words out loud:

“Dear Brenda, I told a small fib when I said I hadn’t opened your parents’ box. I knew it held your mother’s most favorite and cherished decorations. I wanted to touch each one before I gave them to you. The one thing that was missing was the topper your mother loved so much. It must’ve been in one of the boxes I’d thrown out years ago. I regret that decision more than you’ll ever know. I hope someday you’ll forgive me. The gold angel looks as close to your parents’ one as I could find. Have a Merry Christmas. I love you, your Aunt Carol.”

Tears streamed from Brenda’s eyes by the time she finished, but she turned and smiled at him.

“When can we buy a tree?” Brenda asked and took his face in her hands and kissed him silly.

After several moments they moved apart and he rested his chin on top of Brenda’s head. “I love you. How about first thing tomorrow?”

“I love you, too.”

December twenty-fifth.

Brenda woke early as Daisy nibbled on her earlobe. She turned over to face John, and stretched, and dislodged the puppy. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you,” John replied and stretched too.

Daisy made her way back up the bed and jumped on John’s stomach. They wrestled for a while and then Daisy rolled over for a belly rub.

“If you take care of the puppy’s needs, I’ll make breakfast and we can open our Christmas presents.” Her excitement came through in her voice. John took her face in his hands and with a huge smile on his beautiful, sculptured face.

“Honey, everything I’ve ever wanted is right here in this bed.”

“We’ll then…” She sniffled at his sentiment. “I’ll bring everything to bed then—the food, presents and me.”

Still smiling, John leaned over and removed a small velvet box from the nightstand. He opened the box and a sparkling gem shone back at her.

“Brenda, I want to spend all my Christmases with you. I love you. Will you marry me?”

For one short second, Brenda felt speechless and then her future flashed before her and it was perfect.

“I love you and yes, yes, yes!”

Merry Christmas!

Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband. Sharon KleveShe loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other’s arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve--with a few bumps and bruises along the way. One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her. When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels. Visit Sharon Kleve’s Website!

“Halo.” His hand felt cool and dry to the touch, but a little bit rough. That roughness would feel good on smooth skin, like the underside of her breast.

Stop, cease, and desist that train of thought. You are focusing on your career, not a nice, sexy, kind, great-looking guy. Forget about Rich before you do something stupid, like give the calluses a test drive on your inner thigh.

He followed her back to the reception area and stood in front of her. Halo backed up a step to put a little distance between them, caught her heel on the carpet and stumbled.
He steadied her by grasping her shoulders and backed her up against the desk. He released her shoulders, brushed a strand of hair out of her face, and tucked it behind her ear.

Don’t look into his eyes…Look away.

“Are you okay?” he asked with humor in his voice.

“Yes, I’m okay. I’m just new to this walking thing.” He backed up, but not before he tucked another strand of curly hair behind her ear.

Halo’s stomach did a flip-flop from the emotions he’d stirred up.

Look for Christmas Romance Available Now:

Four sweet Christmas stories from your favorite romance authors to warm your heart for the holidays.

Christmas Wishes-Danica Winters:
For most, Christmas is a time for family, love, life, dreams, and wishes—but not for Lee Llewellyn, a mother who has recently lost her son to an accident and her husband to the resentment it caused.

In a chance encounter, she is given the gift of company on Christmas, but is she ready to move forward and start living again?

Christmas at Central Bark-Jennifer Conner:
When Tennyson’s boyfriend left her for her best friend from high-school, all Tennyson received in the break up was her dog. She’s sworn off men and now is rebuilding her life. The only thing Par does is work. He barely has time to do anything he wants for himself other than take his dog to the dog park. When Par and Tennyson find an abandoned dog at the park named Duke. Will they find room in their hearts to take him in?

And can this Christmas season weave some special magic for the two of them?

Halo’s Wish-Sharon Kleve
: Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.

Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she’s ever wanted.Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.

Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both before Christmas?

Christmas Hope-Casey Dawes:
Clara Misowski is convinced Sam Richards’ cheese making operation would be a perfect stop for her culinary tour group.

He’s adamantly opposed to anything to do with a group of women on his farm.

Can she convince him to open his heart to company, Christmas, and maybe even her?