Blackstone Ranger Scrooge - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,35

decor.” Glancing around, he took note of the eclectic collection of memorabilia and knickknacks. “James Dean? And Billy Joel, huh?”

“Oh yeah, my old man loved him. Ever see that video where he’s in the mechanic shop and that gorgeous blonde pulls up in the 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith? He was so tickled pink by it and he always called Ma his Uptown Girl, even though she grew up in Jersey City. Anyway”—she hopped down off the table—“why don’t we get outta here?”

“Of course. But … have you forgiven me yet?”

“Duh,” she said. “But you still have to make it up to me.”

“I do?”

“Yes.” She took his hands into hers. “Come with me to the Christmas Carnival at Lennox Park.”

“When?”

“Now. They’re going to turn on all the lights soon.”

“Now?” His first instinct was to say no. How could he explain that his feelings regarding the holidays were the complete opposite of hers? The scores of happy families around them would only remind him how glum his Christmases were.

What day are you fetching me for the Christmas holiday, Father?

I’m afraid that’s not possible, Cameron. You’ll have to stay put for now.

Oh. Maybe next year?

Perhaps.

But, knowing how much she loved Christmas and what it meant to her—not to mention how understanding she’d been despite the fact that he’d left her alone for days and she was still willing to take him back and find a solution to their logistical problem—he knew he could bear one night surrounded by the trappings of this godforsaken holiday. “All right.”

“Really?” Seeing her eyes light up and her body practically vibrate with excitement made him and his bear glow with pleasure. “Great! The Christmas Carnival is so awesome! You’ll love it, I swear! Let me get my coat.”

Chapter Nine

Lucas Lennox Park was already teeming with crowds gathered for the beginning of the Winter Carnival when they arrived

“Lennox Corp. goes all out during the holiday,” J.D. explained as they made their way to the center of the park. “They get the whole place lit up, and they have a huge Christmas tree and everything.”

“Kinda like Rockefeller Center in New York City?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “We used to go every December. Ma and Pop and me, I mean. It was our tradition. When Pop and I moved here, we were kinda glad they had this. It was like having a piece of her come over with us, you know?” She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes remembering all those good memories. Any other time of the year, the loss of her parents only made her sad, but during the holidays, it was as if she could feel their presence in the air. It was a consoling feeling.

“So, where’s your spot?”

She blinked at him. “My spot?”

He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Tut-tut. You’re no amateur, are you, McNamara? Surely over the years you’ve curated the best spot for the tree lighting ceremony?”

How did he know? “Of course. C’mon.”

She dragged him across the park, not toward the large tree and stage set up in the middle, but up a small hill on the east side. They trudged up a path until they reached the top, which offered them a view of the park below.

“It’s starting,” she said.

The Christmas music piping in through loud speakers faded away, and the people cheered and clapped as an emcee came onstage to start the festivities.

“… and now, let’s welcome our benefactor and honored guest, CEO of Lennox Corporation, Mr. Matthew Lennox, to say a few words before he officially opens the Blackstone Winter Carnival.”

Though they were far away, she could make out Matthew as he came on stage, his wife Catherine by his side, carrying their son, Devon. The dragon shifter said a few words, made a joke or two, then finally, declared the carnival open.

A dazzling display exploded in front of them as the lights turned on, starting from the fifty-foot tall tree in the center and then spreading out across the entire park.

“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered.

A pair of strong arms came around her, and Cam rested his chin on top of her head. With a contented sigh, she sank back against him, allowing his warmth and scent to surround her. Her cat purred contentedly.

Turning around, she pressed herself up against him, then looked up into his blue-violet eyes. His chest rumbled as he bent his head down.

God, I’ve missed this so much, she thought as their lips touched. Which was impossible because it had only been a week since