Page 97 of The Merry Christmas Project

‘Have fun, Fred,’ I said. ‘And watch out for the punch. I seem to remember Astrid overdoing it and having a hangover for days after last year’s party.’

‘Now that I have to see,’ Fred chuckled. He tipped his hat to us. ‘Bye, kids.’

‘Bye, Dad,’ Cole replied, ‘see you tomorrow.’

After Fred had gone, Cole pulled me onto his lap and kissed me.

‘I could get used to this,’ I said, curling my arms around his neck. ‘Maybe you should call in every afternoon.’

He grinned. ‘Maybe I will. Today, however, I’m after more than just a kiss.’

I flashed my eyes at him. ‘Tell me more.’

He rubbed a hand over his jaw. ‘I’ve got a dilemma. I’ve had offers for my last two houses.’

‘That’s fantastic !’ I searched his face and realised he was frowning. ‘Isn’t it ?’

‘I’d always had in the back of my mind that I’d keep the last house for myself and the kids.’

‘Can’t you accept one offer and not the other ?’

He shook his head. ‘They’re all one big family who want to live side by side.’

‘Fliss and Cesca !’ I exclaimed. ‘They came back to you after all !

Cole looked bemused. ‘Have you got something to do with this ?’

I nodded guiltily. ‘I met them at the school fair. I did paint a rather lovely rural picture.’

‘Is that why one of the children kept asking to see the reindeer ?’ He shook his head and laughed. ‘You should be on commission.’

‘But I’ve done the wrong thing ?’ I asked worriedly.

He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and kissed me softly.

‘Not at all, it’s just that the kids will be home for Easter and I’d hoped to be settled into a home of my own by then. I’d never be able to afford something as large as an Orchard Gardens house if I had to pay full price.’

I cupped his face in my hands. ‘Cole, the children will be looking forward to spending time with you, they won’t care if you’re all stuffed in one room, believe me. Being together is all that matters.’

We shared a knowing look ; he understood how much I’d wanted to be with my mum, regardless of how little space we had.

He let out a breath. ‘I want to have a home that they love coming back to.’

‘It’s you they’ll love coming back to,’ I promised him. ‘You represent home.’

His gaze softened. ‘How do you always know what to say to make me feel better ?’

I glowed with pride that I was capable of making this man happy. ‘I’m just telling the truth.’

He smiled. ‘Deep down, I know you’re right. It’s head over heart. It makes financial sense to let the property go, but my heart was set on it.’

‘Your heart will love the thought of those two families growing up together,’ I told him. ‘Besides, if you haven’t found somewhere to move into by next spring, I’ll move out of Holly Cottage and you can bring the kids there.’

Cole shook his head in wonder. ‘Looks like you’ve covered all the bases. OK, Fliss and Cesca get the houses. So that’s that sorted.’

‘Anything else I can help you with ? I pressed a line of kisses along his jaw, breathing him in.

He groaned. ‘There is one other problem, but I’m going to need Santa Claus to fix this one.’