Tea & Comfort (Madrona Island Series Book 2), page 13
Luke reached his hand out to her and together they slipped out the back door to meet up with Jude and the gang.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Luke glanced at his watch. Three o’clock on the dot, just in time to get a spot to watch the parade. When he’d first walked in and seen Kyla’s red hair catching the twinkling lights, her frazzled smile and flushed cheeks, his heart had leapt into his throat.
The town looked like a turn-of-the-century movie set. Wreaths hung from the old-fashioned streetlights, and every store window basked in colored lights. “This is the first Christmas I’ve been excited about in a long time,” Luke said to Kyla as they navigated through the crowds in town.
She stopped, her soft eyes meeting his. “Same for me.”
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “And we have so many more to look forward to.”
A brisk wind raced across Main Street. Luke pulled Kyla close to keep her warm. This winter was nothing like he’d grown up with in New York, where the snow and cold cut through his bones. Still, he was concerned for Kyla. “Are you sure you want to stand out here and watch? We could go inside and watch through a window.”
“Luke, it’s fine. I’m fine. Jude will have plenty of her secret holiday brew ready for us. That always keeps me warm.”
“Secret?” Luke joked.
Kyla winked at him. “It is rumored to have a touch of whiskey in it.”
Bundled-up children danced around the curb and into the closed-off street. After only a few months living here, Luke recognized many of the families. Madrona Island was starting to feel like home.
Kyla squeezed his hand. “Who would have thought just a year ago we’d be standing here together watching your first island Christmas?”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he said.
“Over here,” Jude yelled. She waved her hands wildly at them.
They slid behind the crowds lining the sidewalk and joined Jude on the curb in front of Island Thyme Café. Shirley and Ron were huddled together next to Chef Ryan.
“Merry Christmas, you two,” Jude said.
Luke shook hands with everyone and gave Shirley a kiss on the cheek. She winked back at him.
“I hear Betty is going to be in the parade,” Kyla said.
“Can’t wait to see that,” Jude said. “Why don’t you two run inside the café and grab a cup of holiday cheer? We’ll hold you a place.”
After popping inside the café, now with cups in hand, Luke escorted Kyla back out to their place on the sidewalk. Ian, Lily, and their son, Jason, rushed over to join them and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Jason could barely contain his excitement as he strained his head, looking for Santa Claus. A son like that would warm up any family.
“I’m happy to see that Lily bundled up in a down jacket and wool hat,” Kyla whispered to Luke. “I’m a bit worried about her.”
Luke frowned. “I’m sure everything will be all right.” That family deserved only the best and Luke hoped he was right.
A police car turned the corner with its light blinking and siren looping. A large wreath decorated the grill. Over the car’s loud speaker, “Frosty the Snowman” started to play. A couple of officers followed on foot asking people to clear the street for the parade. Luke watched as kids, cheeks flushed and with big smiles across their faces, hurried over to the curb. Ian’s son made sure he was right up front.
Luke snuggled in close to Kyla and put his arm around her. He could hardly believe the scene before him. His new best friends were at his side. The only woman he would ever love stood beside him, and the whole town lined the streets and rode in the country Christmas parade.
Following a police car, a classic convertible Cadillac turned into the street in front of them. In the back seat, Janet Collins, the mayor, was dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus and waving to the crowd on both sides of the street.
“A lady mayor,” Luke said.
“Lots of powerful ladies on this island,” Jude quipped.
A young girl about four years old tugged on her mother next to them. “Look, Mommy, it’s the bus we take to Grandma’s house and an elf is driving it.”
Luke watched the expression on Jason’s face as a shiny red fire truck with several firemen and women hanging on the sides with Santa hats turned the corner. Ian was lucky to have such a great son. The firemen tossed wrapped candy canes to the kids as they passed. Jason caught a few midair and gathered several from the sidewalk. Speakers on the top of the truck played “Jingle Bells” as they passed. Kids ran everywhere trying to scoop up the candy lining the curbs. Luke would have loved this when he was young. It was quite a contrast to the Macy’s Christmas Parade.
Ian reached down and retrieved a candy cane and handed it to Lily. “I know you love them,” he said.
Lily protested for a second. “But they’re for the kids.”
“They won’t miss one.” Ian pulled the wrapper off for her. He patted her tummy and winked. “It’s for the baby.”
Those two were so in love. Luke hoped for the same kind of relationship with Kyla. He watched Kyla and the obvious pure delight she took from watching the event. He thought about the ring waiting at home. Perhaps tonight.
Kelly from the local paper darted in and out of the crowd, taking pictures. When she pointed the camera toward them, Kyla turned her head into Luke’s shoulder. The woman he’d known in New York had certainly not been camera shy. Then it hit him. She was still hiding her face. Avoiding exposure.
He hugged her close. “Are you all right?”
Kyla peeked back toward the street.
“Kelly’s gone,” Luke said.
“That’s not…”
Luke put a finger to his lips. “Shhh, we’re going to have to face this one day.” She looked like a panicked animal caught in headlights. “But not today,” he said.
The noise of the crowd blurred out further conversation as the next float turned the corner on Main Street.
“There’s Betty!” Shirley yelled. She pointed to a float being hauled by a pickup truck. The float was decorated with oversized dog bones wrapped in big red bows and rolls of yarn and catnip. Sitting in one of the throne-like chairs was Betty holding Zinger in her arms. Zinger had on a ruby-red fleece jacket with a fake white-fur collar. Betty held Zinger’s paw up and waved to everyone.
“Hey, girls,” she yelled at them as she went by. “Merry Christmas!”
A tall young man, one of the shelter volunteers, sat beside her dressed up like an elf with a black lab at his side. The dog looked perfectly fine wearing green velvet antlers and a collar of bells.
Luke leaned down and whispered in Kyla’s ear. “I feel like I’m in an old-fashioned movie.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life perhaps?” Kyla asked.
Luke hugged her. “Absolutely.”
Elves in hats and curvy boots ran in front of them doing cartwheels. Following them, the Basset Hound Club paraded across the street with ten stout hounds wearing glittery angel wings.
“And now for the angels,” Jude said. “One of my favorite parts.”
Ryan laughed. “Those bassets are darn cute. Wouldn’t mind having one myself.”
The noise level rose as people cheered on the high school band as they marched by blasting “Holy Jolly Christmas” slightly off-key on their trombones and trumpets.
“Look, Mom,” a child shouted, “it’s Frosty the Snowman.”
Adults in various costumes held the hands of young preschoolers from the local Boys & Girls Club. Little angels, elves, and sprites skipped down the street, tossing candy canes as they went.
“Look at those cute costumes,” Lily said.
Luke watched a little boy skip by wearing antlers and an obviously homemade reindeer costume. “Look at his red nose,” he said as he waved at the boy.
“Adorable,” Kyla said.
Luke longed for a family of his own. Maybe someday they would have children in the parade. He would be sure to be present with his kids and take the time with them his father never had with him. Kyla seemed much healthier lately, but still, maybe having a child would have to wait a little after they were married.
At the end of the parade, a Chamber of Commerce float boasted gift-wrapped baskets of donations from various businesses.
“The Chamber does great work around town,” Kyla said. “Those baskets will be raffled off in the community center later in the evening after the tree-lighting ceremony and boat parade.” Carolers followed singing in perfect harmony “Let it Snow.” Bringing up the rear was a jolly Santa Claus joined by local equestrian club members riding beautiful Clydesdales. The mammoth horses snorted in the crisp air, making the bells around their necks jingle.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” Santa said. “Ho, ho, ho,” were his last words as he marched out of sight.
The crowds cheered and clapped. Families and children filled the now-empty streets, greeting each other and huddling to stay warm.
Jude stepped up on the curb and yelled, “Free hot chocolate and spiced cider for all at Island Thyme Café.”
“Free?” Luke asked Kyla.
“It’s a holiday tradition,” Kyla said. “Jude’s way of saying thanks for a great year.”
“Do you want to go in?” Luke asked.
Kyla shook her head. “It’s going to be so crowded.”
Luke put his hand in hers. “I have another idea. Let’s go to my house and I’ll make us a hot toddy.”
“Perfect,” she said.
As they walked back to Luke’s car, carolers dressed in velvet capes and hats strolled the street carrying candlelit lanterns. Their lyrics filled the air: “Dashing through the snow…”
Kyla sang along. “In a one-horse open sleigh. O’er the hills we go.”
Luke joined her, “Laughing all the way.”
Some of the crowd joined them on the chorus of “Jingle Bells.” Luke sang out, enjoying the moment.
When they reached the car, he drew Kyla into his arms. “Merry Christmas, my love,” he said. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. “My happiest ever,” he whispered in her ear.
She looked up into his eyes. “Mine, too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Kyla curled up on Luke’s couch and watched him add logs and stoke the flames in his river rock fireplace. She pulled the plaid, wool blanket over her that he’d offered when they first arrived. The scent of winter pine drifted in the air from the green pillar candles. The room glowed in the firelight, and so did Luke. His hair picked up the golden hues as they fell across his face. She loved watching the fluid way his body moved. He turned and matched her stare with a penetrating gaze. Heat raced down her limbs, and a longing that was almost painful.
He sat down beside her and handed her a small box wrapped in gold paper. “An early gift,” he said.
Kyla lifted the lid. Nestled in gold tissue paper was the beautiful golden eagle necklace she’d admired at the craft fair. “Thank you so much,” she said. “Yours is coming Christmas Day.”
“Let me put it on you,” he said.
His delicate fingers brushed her neck as he hooked the clasp. “There you go.”
Kyla fingered the eagle on her chest. She remembered her father saying his totem animal was the eagle. She had loved watching the majestic birds soar in the woods over his cabin when she was little. “My dad used to say that eagles come to you to inspire and bring courage for you to flyer higher than ever before.”
“You never talk about your father,” Luke said.
“He wasn’t around much and he died when I was young.”
“I’m sorry,” Luke said. He pulled her close to him and ran his fingers through her hair, gently massaging her scalp. She felt her tension melt away as he rubbed her temples gently in a circular motion. Heat raced through her body as his lips trailed over her ear and down her neck. “You taste like the ocean,” he whispered.
Kyla moaned as he brought her into his arms and his musky smell filled her with desire. His hands slipped under her sweater and with long, soothing strokes worked their way up her back.
“I could get used to this,” she whispered.
His eyes, pupils large with longing, captured hers. “Forever and always?” he asked.
She nodded, affirming her answer with a soft kiss. His lips lingered on hers a moment longer and then he stood and walked over to the fire. Luke reached out his hand to her. “Come join me,” he said.
She tossed the blanket aside and went over to him. A visible shudder moved down Luke’s body as he stood facing her. Kyla held her breath. Like a knight before his queen, Luke knelt on the soft, furry rug. He reached out and took her hand.
“Kyla. My only love. I asked you once upon sand, but I ask you now on solid ground. Will you marry me?” Luke pulled a black satin box from his vest pocket. He raised the lid. An exquisite Irish claddagh wedding ring sparkled back at her with its emeralds surrounding a diamond heart.
She could barely catch her breath, making it impossible to speak. She wanted him more than life itself. But…
Luke squeezed her hand. “Be my wife, Kyla. Let’s not let another minute pass by that is not shared. We can live our dreams together here on Madrona Island.”
Kyla looked at the man kneeling in front of her. Life was offering her another chance. “I will marry you, Luke.”
He placed the ring on her left hand, with the tip of the heart facing up toward her fingertips, signifying an engaged woman. Then he rose and pressed his warm, strong body into hers. The space between them melted and disappeared. Luke lifted her chin and kissed her gently.
“I will not break,” she whispered to him. Kyla pulled his lips to hers, deepening the kiss. She ran her fingers through his hair, pulling him in close. She raised her gaze to his. His eyes were dark with passion, but still he looked to her for permission.
“Are you okay? Can we…?” he stuttered.
Kyla took his hand and started for the steps to the loft bedroom. Luke pulled her around, swept her into his arms, and carried her up the stairs. At the top, moonlight shone through the skylights, bathing the bed with a silver glow, creating a place of magic for their love.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The Captain’s Cove oak-paneled dining room was crowded and bursting with noise. “Maybe we should have picked somewhere else for brunch.” Kyla asked Luke.
“Oh, come on,” he said. “What did you expect for New Year’s Day? And look, there’s Jude and Ryan waiting for us.”
Luke waved, caught their attention, and started toward them. Kyla held his hand as they made their way through the crowd. It smelled like heaven on a plate. Everyone was dressed up island style. Jude had on a bright purple turtleneck with a matching fleece vest and velvet scarf. Even Ryan had on a button-down black shirt tucked in his jeans.
Jude threw her arms around Kyla. “Happy New Year!”
“Same to you.” Kyla turned to Ryan, expecting a handshake, and was pleased by a big hug.
“Let’s get you two a mimosa,” Ryan said. He turned to the bar behind him and picked up two glasses. “Here you go.”
Kyla reached for the glass and her new engagement ring sparkled in the overhead lighting.
Jude grabbed her hand and admired the ring. “Is this the news you promised us today?” she asked. “We’ve not seen you for a few days and lots has changed.”
“It’s a claddagh Irish engagement ring.”
“I can see that,” said Jude. “And just when did this new development happen?”
“Right before Christmas,” Luke said. “We’ve been hiding out at my place since the parade, so now it’s out. I asked Kyla to marry me and she said yes.”
“Congratulations to you both,” Ryan said, shaking Luke’s hand. He stepped back and put his arm around Jude.
Kyla caught the glance between them. Love was at work there, she was sure.
“When’s the big day?” Jude asked.
Lily, wearing a bulky red sweater, slipped between Jude and Ryan. “Big day for what?” she asked.
Jude held up Kyla’s hand. “Seems another wedding is in the making.”
“Another wedding?” Ian said, joining the party. “Nice ring. I’ve seen some like that in Ireland.”
Kyla held her hand up, admiring the ring herself. But it was more than a gorgeous piece of jewelry; it represented the bond between her and Luke and his acceptance and embracing of her Irish lineage.
“The big day is set for some time in June at the winery,” Luke said. “We’ll let you know more soon.”
“This calls for a toast,” Jude said. “But first, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Ian spoke up. “I’m going to get a drink and get Lily some orange juice. You all go find a table and we’ll join you in a minute.”
Luke scanned the room. “There’s a big table by the window that just opened up. I’ll go grab it.”
Kyla and her friends followed behind him, saying their hellos to neighbors and friends along the way. She waved at Audrey across the room, who was sitting with that rowdy book group she led. Empty champagne bottles were scattered across their table. Kyla wondered if they realized they were sitting under the mistletoe.
The waitress was clearing off their table while Luke stood and kept guard over it. Kyla admired the gold candles surrounded by a fresh holly centerpiece on the polished old mahogany table. Harp music played softly in the background. She looked out the window at the cove. A winter’s mix of snow-flaked rain drifted toward the ground, laced the trees with white, and danced on the surface of the water before dissolving. A lone deer stood under a glossy-leafed Madrona tree. The smooth red wood with its delicate peeling bark made the tree most enchanting.
“You can have a seat now,” the waitress said. “It’s a buffet, so you can help yourself whenever you’re ready. Can I get you all coffee first?”
“That would be great,” Kyla said. “There are six of us.”
“Forget sitting, let’s get in line,” Jude said. She steered Ryan toward the tables of food.
