Page 8 of Christmas Agreement (Majestic Falls: Christmas Spice #3)

Rugar

The candlelight seemed to reflect off Katie’s sparkling eyes while we finished dessert at Mangiamo’s.

In our own secluded booth, with high walls to give us the illusion of being alone in the low-lit restaurant, we held hands across the table and probably spent way too much time gazing at each other.

And I knew, without a doubt, that I was completely, irrevocably, in love with this woman.

I could see a thousand nights like this spread out before us.

I could imagine how I’d spoil her after I signed with the Lynx.

I could envision our future children, us sitting on our front porch and watching the sun set behind the western Adirondack mountains.

All of it was there for me, clearer than it had ever been.

“What are you thinking?” she asked. “Are you worried about your teammates seeing us together? My brother?”

“No. Not worried.” I’d deal with those problems when or if they occurred. “I was just thinking of you. Us.”

“What were you thinking?”

“A lot. I’m kind of wondering your thoughts on Charleston,” I admitted.

“South Carolina? Or one of the other ones?”

“South Carolina.”

“It’s…far. Different from Majestic Falls.”

Her response didn’t reassure me.

“But would you ever think of going there?” I pushed. “Temporarily at least.”

Her tongue swiped over her bottom lip. “If the circumstances were right,” she hedged. “That’s months away, right?”

I looked down at what was left of my dessert. “Right.”

“Rugar,” she said, drawing my attention back. “Let’s see how you feel about me in May, okay?”

“Or how you feel about me.”

She shook her head. “My feelings aren’t going to change.”

My fingers tightened on hers. “Neither are mine.”

“Okay,” she breathed. “Then we’ll see right. Let’s… Let’s just not rush.”

“Okay,” I agreed. “Ready to go?”

She nodded and since I’d already paid, I slid to my feet and held out my hand to help her from the booth. With our fingers locked together, we headed back to my Jeep.

“Oh my gosh! Look!” she gasped, pointing with her free hand when we were halfway across the lot.

“What—” I cut off as I gaped at the huge moose standing at the edge of the pavement.

He just stared at us, while I tried to assess the danger from the wild animal.

Despite all the stories about Clarence, I knew that moose could charge, even if it was a bluff charge . I needed to be sure Katie was safe.

Clarence seemed unconcerned with us. He regarded us for a long moment then went back to eating one of the decorative shrubs in the Mangiamo’s landscaping.

I couldn’t help but think the owners would be less than thrilled by their bushes being moose food, but I was more interested in getting Katie to my Jeep.

“You know he’s supposedly good luck,” Katie said after I’d handed her into the vehicle and rushed around to my side.

“Is he?” I asked, pretending as if I hadn’t heard the stories.

“Yeah. A lot of couples swear by him—including my boss Jessica and her best friend Melody. If you have a Clarence encounter, you’ll be blessed with an HEA.”

“HEA?”

“Happily ever after.”

I liked the sound of that. “Let’s hope then,” I said. “I’ll take any good luck Clarence will give.”

“Do you think we’ll need it?” she asked. “You know, since we’ve had secret feelings for one another for so long?”

“Everybody needs luck. Even the people with everything going for them.” I lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “If ol’ Clarence wants to give us luck, let’s take it.”

* * * *

The ballet entranced Katie. We didn’t arrive in time to socialize, so we’d just slipped into our seats minutes before the curtain rose. She clutched my hand the whole time while she watched the dancers. And I watched her.

I was familiar enough with the music, but mostly, I enjoyed the expressions playing over her face and her huge smiles as she glanced over at me.

I wanted to give her experiences like this for the rest of our lives.

I didn’t care that it wasn’t my thing or that the seats were way too small for the average hockey athlete. Katie’s joy was everything.

“Rugar,” she breathed when the lights went up for the intermission. “Thank you for bringing me. This is amazing. I love it, and it makes me want to celebrate Christmas today.”

“We can celebrate whenever you want. But…for now…do you want to head out to the lobby and get a drink. We can say hi to a few people then sneak out directly after the second half.”

“Obligatory hellos?” she asked.

I nodded. Standing, I pulled her to her feet and we headed out to the reception area that had been set up for the fundraiser.

“A local wine bar and one of the breweries had donated all the alcohol, so all the proceeds are being donated tonight. They’re also doing a silent art auction, if you want to have a look.”

“Would I be a bad person if I said no?”

“Nope. Can I interest you in a drink though?”

“White wine? Something sweet?”

“Of course.” The bar line went fast, and we soon had stem glasses in our hands.

I steered Katie toward my coach and his wife.

They stood with several of the board chairs.

If we didn’t talk to anyone else all night, we had to at least shake hands with this group.

I glanced around. No sign of Kyle. Good.

That problem could wait for another day.