Cassie stared at the pregnancy test. This was the first time she’d managed to find some time alone. First, her parents’ flight had been cancelled due to winter storms, then one of the puppies didn’t want to eat and there was an emergency at the vet clinic—which meant she’d had to man the front desk and phones. As soon as closing time hit, everyone had headed downtown to help with the final preparations for the parade. Tomorrow, Christmas would arrive in Granite Falls and the one-week countdown to Christmas would begin.
But first, Cassie needed to see if there would be another arrival in Granite Falls.
According to the test, she should see results in ten minutes. She’d spent eight minutes getting the puppies settled into a kennel until she was done helping with the parade preparations downtown. Bert and Ernie had free run of the place as well as a comfy bed to sleep on. It kept her busy, but she knew how momentous this was. If she was pregnant, everything would change. If she wasn’t and she didn’t tell Sterling how she felt about him, nothing would change. But if she wasn’t and she got up the nerve to tell him? She didn’t know what her future would look like.
Eight minutes. Only eight minutes. Was this the result or did she need to wait the full ten minutes for the test to be accurate? Would the tiny blue plus turn into a tiny blue minus? She scanned the directions.
Wait at least seven minutes to read the results.
She stared at the test. At the bright blue plus.
She took a breath and consulted the directions. Typically, a plus sign meant positive. But maybe it meant something different for a pregnancy test.
Nope. It meant the same thing. Plus. For positive. Pregnant.
She stared at her reflection, tugging up her pink sweatshirt to stare at her tummy. Was there really a tiny person in there? A person she and Sterling had made.
Sterling had said it would be okay. She hoped he meant it. She picked up the test and slipped it back inside the box it had come in. Then stopped. She pulled out the second test and repeated the procedure.
The first test could be wrong. It could be.
She paced the lobby of the clinic, watching as the bundled-up citizens of Granite Falls made their way to the park to help set up for tomorrow night’s parade. Her whole life was here. Friends and family... And now she’d raise her baby here. With Sterling. It wouldn’t be easy, but she believed they could make it work. She nibbled on the inside of her lip, nauseated for the first time. She loved him. So much. Should she start with that? Or would that lead to an obligatory proposal not a love proposal?
She fed the to-be-shredded files through the shredder, then went back to pacing.
When the timer on her phone started chiming, she sprinted for the bathroom.
“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Maybe the package is defective.” She slid the second positive test into the box and braced herself on the side of the sink.
It will be okay.
Right. Yes. Sure. It would be. She added a dab of Christmas-holly-red lipstick to her lips and gave her reflection a thumbs-up. With the box in her bag, she did a quick check on the puppies and closed up shop. It was colder than she’d expected, so she pulled her gloves out of her coat pockets and tugged them on.
She walked along, watching the timed lights click on in each and every one of the shop windows as a light snow began to fall. From sparkling snowflake cutouts to a Santa’s workshop made out of gingerbread, each shop had their own theme.
It would be even more magical with a baby. “I bet you’ll love this time of year just as much as I do.” All the wonder and delight brand new and shiny.
She rounded the corner to the park, waving at Mrs. Hodges, Reggie, Skyler and Kyle, and... “Mr. Green?” She was so delighted, she hugged him. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Marvin, please. Sterling offered me a ride. And you were the one that told me not to miss the parade, but I figured I should help get things ready, too.” He tucked her arm through his. “You were right about meeting people. I get the feeling Penny Hodges is checking me out.”
Cassie giggled. “Really? She’s actually very nice. She makes treats for Bert and Ernie. And she’s a speed walker. Every morning, you’ll see her sailing by.”
Marvin seemed to consider this. “Does she fish?”
Cassie blinked. “I have no idea. But I can find out.”
“Fishing is a must.” He patted her hand.
“A real deal breaker, eh?” From the corner of her eye, she saw Jenna’s youngest sister, Biddy, toddling after Buzz. Buzz scooped her up and tossed her high, making the baby giggle. It was so precious...
Skyler waved. “You’re here.”
“I had to make sure the puppies were okay.” She smiled. “Have you met Mr. Marvin Green?”
“Nice to meet you.” Skylar gave his hand a hearty shake. “I think Buzz wanted your help with the clinic float, Cassie.”
“Got it.” She scanned the crowd, looking for Sterling. Now wasn’t the time to say anything—no matter how much she might want to.
As she was crossing the grass to the vet float, the high school band started playing. When she recognized “Here Comes Santa Claus,” she clapped her hands and sang along. It was her favorite Christmas carol, after all.
“I figured that would get your attention.” Sterling took her hand.
“Sterling?” She stared down at her hand in his—and at the people who were watching. “What are you doing?” She tried to tug her hand away.
“Making a scene.” He dropped to his knee.
Wait? No. How did he know? There was no way he could know. She dropped down onto her knees, too, pleading, “But I need to tell you—”
“Cassie, there is nothing you can say that will change what I’m doing.” He smiled at her.
“Why are you doing this?” She shook her head. “Don’t. You don’t have to. I don’t want a loveless marriage. You don’t either, I know you don’t.”
He frowned. “But, Cassie, I know—”
“No. You don’t.” Didn’t he realize that he was trapping himself? How was she supposed to live with herself if that happened? She tugged her hand free and stood. “I... I...feel sick.” Everyone was there. Everyone was watching. The band stopped playing and she fought the urge to run. “I’m sorry, Sterling.” She shook her head. “This isn’t right.”
He stood slowly but made no move to stop her when she started walking, briskly, back to the clinic. She ignored Jenna and Buzz and climbed into her car. She’d come back, later. But right now, she needed space.
What was he thinking?
He was being noble. She shook her head, braking as the snowflakes picked up. No, that wasn’t it.
He didn’t know she was pregnant. There was no need to be noble.
Had Buzz strong-armed him into this? That didn’t make sense either. Buzz would be happy to see Sterling’s taillights disappear into the distance.
So why...? She pulled off her gloves and wiped at her tears.
Don’t hate me. Please, don’t hate me.
She stomped on the brakes. Her dream. And...she’d told him she’d hate him if he told her he loved her... Did that mean...? Maybe it hadn’t been a dream. The only way to know was to ask Sterling outright. Just the two of them. She turned around and headed down the highway, passed the turn-off into town, then took the gravel road that led to their cabin.
She sat, staring at the blinking Christmas lights in the window, and took a deep breath. Sterling wasn’t here yet. The enormity of what she’d done began to sink it. She’d left him standing in the middle of the field with her closest friends and family watching. She’d run off without thinking about what sort of aftermath he’d deal with. Her head drooped forward. I’m so sorry, Sterling. She’d wait for him and hope he’d forgive her for humiliating him. Worse, for hurting him.
Sterling hadn’t lost it yet. Everyone seemed legitimately sympathetic. He’d taken everyone’s whispers, claps on the back and apologies in stride. He didn’t give a damn about what they thought. What worried him was Cassie.
“What are you going to do?” Buzz walked with him to the clinic.
“I’m going to talk to her.” He adjusted his cowboy hat to buffet the wind. “This whole public thing was plain stupid. Jenna and Reggie meant well, but I should have listened to my gut. The only thing flashy about Cassie is her lipstick.”
Buzz chuckled. “She looked like a deer in the headlights. I think she panicked.”
“I don’t blame her.” He followed Buzz inside the clinic, his heart in his throat.
“Cassie?” Buzz called out. He went into the back.
Sterling should have kept this between him and Cassie. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought she’d like having her friends and family there when he proposed. Jenna and Reggie swore she would. He hoped her reaction was because of the setup, not the proposal itself. If that was it... If she didn’t want him, he’d figure a way to deal with that. But until he found her and talked to her, there was no way of knowing what was going on inside that beautiful head of hers.
Her car wasn’t parked out front. The vet clinic hadn’t been far enough away for her. “She’s not here.” Buzz waved him back. “She left the dogs and the puppies.”
“That’s not like her.” She took her boys with her everywhere. Damn it all. “I’ll take them to her.”
Buzz nodded. “I’ll help you get them loaded up.”
The whole way to her house, Sterling was cussing himself. He’d all but dragged her into the spotlight. It would have felt like he was forcing her hand. He knew how she felt about having her decisions made for her. It pissed her off. He’d done the one thing to make her tailspin and he’d done it publicly. As much as he wanted her to marry him, he’d respect her decision. He’d apologize and tell her as much.
He pulled into her drive. “Dammit.” He hit the steering wheel. No car. No lights. “No Cassie.”
Bert and Ernie sat up and started barking, and a steady howl emerged from the kennel.
He didn’t know where she’d go. Did she have a special place? Or a friend she’d go to? He couldn’t call her—as far as he knew she hadn’t replaced hers. Reggie and Jenna had made sure everyone special was there tonight, so he called each and every one of them. Their answers were all the same. No Cassie. He spent the next hour driving one way, then turned around and circled back.
It was dark and the puppies’ howls had turned to hungry whimpers. He had no choice but to head home and feed them. He’d call Buzz and see if there was any news.
He turned onto the gravel road to his cabin and came to a hard stop when he saw her car parked in front of the cabin. “Sorry, boys.” He opened the door. “Come on. Let’s go.” The dogs bailed out and he grabbed the kennel. He started out running but slowed the closer he got to the door.
He needed to think through what he was going to say. He couldn’t afford to screw this up again.
The door opened. “They sound hungry.” She stooped to pet Bert, then Ernie. “It’s cold.”
He followed the dogs inside and closed the door. He set the kennel on the floor, hung up his coat and hat, and cleared his throat.
“Sterling—”
“Cassie, hold up. Please. Tonight was... Well, it didn’t go so hot.” He shook his head. “We’ve kept our business to ourselves and tonight I turned it into a public spectacle.”
“I need to tell you—”
“That’s the thing. If you’re trying to tell me whether or not you’re pregnant, I don’t want to know. Not yet. I want you to know that I love you. I have always loved you—I was just too stupid to say anything. I couldn’t believe you’d give me a second look, let alone a second chance. I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” He took a deep breath. “I’d rather you didn’t hate me for saying all this.”
She blinked and tears slipped down her cheeks.
“You said you didn’t want to be in a loveless marriage.” It hurt to swallow. “If you don’t love me, I’ll let you go. But I will always be here for you and our baby.”
She kept on crying.
“What did I do?” He couldn’t stop himself from reaching for her and pulling her into his arms. “Tell me how to make this better. Do you want me to go?”
“No.” Her hands pressed against his back. “No. You can’t go. You just said you loved me.”
“I do.” He tilted her face up. “I love you. And I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” she wailed. “I have never—” she sniffed “—been so h-happy.”
He cradled her face. “Cassie. Your tears are killing me here.”
She shook her head. “They’re happy tears.” She smiled. “See, I’m happy.” She pointed at her wobbling smile. “I was so afraid I’d lost you. I—I humiliated you when—”
“You think I give a damn about what they think?” He smoothed tears from her cheek. “You. You are the only one that matters.”
She smiled, her arms wrapping around his waist. “No, I’m not.” She kissed him. “Our baby matters.” Her eyes were bright blue.
He stared at her. “Baby?”
“Our baby.” She ran her fingers along the side of his face. “Since I didn’t get you a Christmas present, I guess this will have to do.”
“I don’t know which is the greater gift. You or the baby.” He rested his hand against her stomach.
“You told me it was going to be all right.” Cassie gripped the front of his shirt. “You were right.”
“That counts as a Christmas present.” He smiled. “Let me hear it one more time.”
She rolled her eyes. “You were right.”
He rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes until all the fear and worry was gone. How he’d earned her love, he didn’t know. But he’d work hard to make sure he never lost her.
“I love you,” she whispered, her eyes locked with his.
“I love you.” He kissed her. “And I do have a Christmas present for you.” He led her to the couch. “Hold up. It’s in the truck.” He ran outside and opened the truck. His hard stop had dumped most everything onto the floor. The gift bag was upside down, but Frannie had helped him pack in enough tissue paper that the contents hadn’t moved.
“They were hungry.” Cassie nodded at the bottle. “I’ll open my present in a minute. As far as I’m concerned, nothing can top this.”
Sterling set the bag on the table and fed the larger puppy. “I always get Big.”
“You have bigger hands.” She shrugged. “He fits.”
“Well, he’s eating faster, that’s for sure.” He watched as the pup drained the bottle. “Here I was expecting to have to wait.” He set the puppy on the braided rug and grabbed the gift bag.
“He’s not done.” She cradled the puppy close.
“I’ve got this.” He took the puppy from her.
She took the top wrapped item. “What is this?” She opened it and smiled. “A snowflake and a Santa?” She laughed. “Clever.” She reached in to pull out another package. Two puppy collars, one dark blue and one light blue. She held them up and laughed. “Santa and Claws? Perfect.” She leaned forward to kiss him.
“You’re not done.” He nodded at the bag.
She reached inside and dug through the paper until she retrieved a small box.
“Hold up.” He wiped off the puppy. “You and Claws go play.” He set the puppy down. “Your momma and I need to make it official.”
Cassie was crying again. Poor Bert and Ernie were both trying to climb into her lap to comfort her.
“It’s okay, boys.” He opened the box. “It will be—depending on her answer.” He knelt in front of her, taking care not to squish a puppy, and held out the ring. “Will you marry me, Cassie Lafferty?”
She nodded, her smile blinding. “I will.”
He slipped the ring on her finger, then placed his hand on her stomach. “Don’t you worry about a thing, Little Bit. You’ve got a momma and daddy that love you.”
She covered his hand with hers. “You’re going to be the best father.”
He took a shaky breath. “I’ll do my damndest, I promise you that.” He sat on the hearth and pulled her into his lap. “Whatever it takes to make you happy, Cassie. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“You know what would make me very happy right now?” She twined her fingers into his hair. “A kiss.”
He kissed her, long and lingering and full of love. “With pleasure.” His next kiss was gentle. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She kissed him. “Always and forever.”
“Always and forever.” He smiled down at her.
“Kiss me again.” She whispered.
And he did. Again. And again.
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Christmas Cottage by Christine Rimmer.