Page 30 of Christmas Treasures (Sugarville Grove #6)

O n the last day of the year and their first night together as a family, Charlie opened a bottle of wine while Max showered.

They’d tucked Bianca into her new bedroom at Charlie’s house earlier, and she’d been asleep before they turned off the light.

Moving day had been a vigorous one, and they were all worn out but happy.

She held her hand up to the light to admire her engagement and wedding rings. It was still hard for her to believe that Max had convinced her to get married a few days after Christmas. But with Bianca in the picture, they’d figured it was better to do it sooner rather than later.

Today had been move-in day. It had made more sense for Max and Bianca to move in with her.

Her house was large enough for all of them, plus she didn’t want to give up her greenhouse.

Max had plans to expand the store to the space that had once been his apartment into a Vermont tasting room.

He would host cheese, wine, and local goods as a way to get people into the store but also to help the local artisans and farmers sell product.

They’d spent some time figuring out where all of the artifacts from Max’s travels would go.

Some had to be sacrificed to the attic, but they’d been able to accommodate most of them.

Fig, thoroughly suspicious of the invasion, had disappeared beneath furniture until curiosity overpowered indignation.

The cat emerged, tail twitching with reluctant interest, compelled to investigate each unfamiliar object.

It took mere hours for him to recognize the advantages of Bianca's permanent presence. It took no time at all for him to become Bianca’s shadow and sleeping companion.

Footsteps on the staircase drew her attention. Seconds later, Max materialized, with damp hair and clad in loose cotton pants and a shirt emblazoned with the Hayes Maple Syrup logo.

Max leaned against the woodwork, observing her with loving eyes. "How are you doing? It was a big day.”

“Good. I’m glad we’re done with the move and can get on with our lives. Together.”

He reached for her, pulling her against him for a kiss. “My wife. Isn’t it something?”

“It truly is. We’ve been blessed beyond reason.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Mrs. Hayes.”

They took their bottle of wine and glasses into the living room to enjoy the Christmas trees for one more night. How funny that Charlie would actually miss them. But next year would come soon enough.

Until then, she would enjoy every moment with her husband and their little Bianca. Every day was like Christmas morning with the two of them by her side.

Thank you for reading Christmas Treasures!