Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“Why don’t you? Just half an hour.”
“No, I can’t. I’m still behind on some things from a few weeks ago. I really need to get it under control.” I sighed, forcing my eyes open again. “I’ll rest after. Wait, where did you put the baby?”
“Jack? He’s on the doorstep.”
“Tom…”
He laughed and got up. “He’s with Lizzie, don’t worry. She’s watching him while I check on you.” He leant down over me and kissed my forehead. “Are you sure you’re fine?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing I can’t handle. Don’t forget we promised Danny we’d go to the Christmas markets with him tonight. He wants to buy Beth and Zara their Christmas presents. I think he wants something for Lily, too.”
“I know. He’s only reminded me every day this week.” He grinned and kissed me again. “Rest now, okay? I’ll come and wake you in half an hour.”
“You promise? Only half an hour. No longer. I have to work.” I yawned and repositioned the sofa cushions as I lay down.
“Yes, I promise.” He gently laid a blanket over me and tucked me in. “I’ll handle everything, don’t worry.”
“Mm. Famous last words,” I murmured, snuggling in under my little blanket. “Can you throw another log on the fire, please?”
“Of course.”
The air filled with crackling, and I smiled into my blanket.
“Is that better, Your Grace?”
I opened my eyes to his face right in front of mine and laughed. “Yes, thank you. Remember, half an hour.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Thirty minutes only.” Tom dipped his head and kissed me softly. “Sleep. Do not pick up your phone. In fact, I’m putting it out of your reach.”
“But I—”
“No.”
“Okay,” I muttered, watching as he put my phone on the shelf on the other side of the room. “You know me too well.”
He smiled from the doorway. “Of course. That’s how I conned you into marrying me, after all.”
I yawned. “It wasn’t a con if I willingly participated.”
“True.” His eyes softened. “Have a good rest, my love.”
I closed my eyes as the door clicked shut, and I smiled into my blanket. I could barely believe that only three years ago we were still bickering every time we saw each other.
Not that we’d stopped that, mind you.
And now, here I was, about to spend my first Christmas back in Castleton as an official resident of the village once more.
Not only that, I was married.
I was having a baby.
I hadn’t left behind the life I’d built—I’d taken it with me and rebuilt it brick by brick, stone by stone, and tile by tile.
It hadn’t been easy.
But now, as I lay here, giggling into my blanket at the sound of my husband telling my sister to, “Shut up before you wake her up,” I knew one thing.
It was worth it.
Every tear, every bit of sweat, every moment I spent lying awake, wondering if I was making the right choices.
It was all worth it.
All because Thomas had, once upon a time, saved my Christmas.