Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“I’ll make the hot chocolate!” Lilith called out with David offering to help.
Ladd laced his fingers with mine and we walked back into the family room after shedding our coats. He grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around my body. “You’re shivering.”
“I didn’t even notice that I was cold. I think I’ve been running on adrenaline and happiness.”
Smiling, Ladd replied, “Same here. I didn’t even notice who brought out our coats.”
Giggling, I settled onto the sofa next to him. A fire was going in the fireplace, and the Christmas tree lights gave off a soft glow in the room. We both looked at the tree for a few moments, taking in the lovely sight and reflecting on what had just happened.
I lifted my hand and looked down at the ring. “It’s just gorgeous, Ladd.”
He took my hand in his and used his thumb to move the ring back and forth. “I knew the moment I saw it that it was the ring for you. I wasn’t even planning on buying a ring that day. I was in the jewelry shop with Gary, who was picking up something for his father to give to his mother for their anniversary, and there it was. I stared at it for so long, the guy working at the time came over and told me to just buy it already.”
I laughed. “I’ve never had anything so beautiful before.”
Lifting my hand to his mouth, he kissed it.
“Here we go,” Lilith sang as she walked into the family room, David and Gus following behind her with two trays.
“We’ve got hot water, hot chocolate, and all the fixings,” Nellie said as she walked into the room with a tray of her own.
“What a wonderful evening this is,” I sighed as I took the mug Gus handed me.
Ladd smiled. “Grams started this when we were little. Every Christmas Eve, we have our hot chocolate.”
“We slowly started adding all the extras over the years,” Nellie said as she set her tray on the coffee table. It held small bowls, each filled with something to add to the hot chocolate. Crushed candy canes, shaved chocolate, cinnamon sticks, mini marshmallows, large marshmallows, sprinkles…even shredded coconut.
“Oh my gosh,” I said as I looked over all the different hot chocolates. “I didn’t even know they had so many different versions of cocoa.”
A few people in the room chuckled as they made their own perfect versions of hot chocolate. David and Ladd got a little crazy with the whipped cream, as Lilith taught me how to make the “perfect” cup of hot chocolate. I hadn’t felt such a sense of home in a very long time, if ever.
“I know it just happened,” Nellie started to say. “But when do you think you’ll want to get married?”
“Mom!” David laughed. “It’s only been a couple of hours and you’re already asking for a date? They haven’t even been alone since he asked her.”
Ladd took my hand in his. “We’ll talk about it and see when the timing is right.”
“And the store?” Gus asked.
“Still part of the plan,” Ladd replied with a wide grin. I didn’t know how he was able to keep what was happening with the store a secret.
I cleared my throat before I spoke. “I do know I’d like one thing when it comes to the wedding.”
Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
“What’s that?” Ladd asked.
“If it’s possible, I’d love to have it here, on the ranch.”
Nellie let out a little yelp, then covered her mouth, as Lilith jumped up and fist pumped while crying out, “Yes!”
Turning to Ladd, I said, “If that’s okay with you?”
“Okay? That’s perfect, Viv.” He cleared his throat and glanced at the family before turning back at me. “Will you be letting your parents know?”
I shook my head. “No.” I looked around to see all eyes on me once again. “Trust me, my mother and father will not care about me getting married.”
“Do we need to keep it more on the down-low?” Nellie asked. “By that, I mean, we don’t have to run anything in the paper about the engagement or the wedding.”
Ladd squeezed my hand.
“If we could not do that, I’d appreciate it. At least not right now.”
Jason looked confused. “Why? Are you in hiding or something?”
A nervous laugh slipped free before I exhaled and decided to just get it out in the open. I was, after all, going to be a part of this family, and they all had the right to know the truth.
“My father is Senator Pennington.”
Lilith’s eyes went wide. “Why didn’t I piece that together? Oh, honey, I don’t blame you for not wanting to have anything to do with that man. He’s a piece of—”
“Mom!” Gus interjected, standing quickly and nearly knocking over one of the trays.
I covered my mouth to keep from laughing.
“Grams, I don’t think now is the time or place to give your political opinions,” David said with a half-hidden smile.