Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,108

first. Explain what I did and then ask his permission to marry you.”

Wynn blinked several times, as if holding back tears. “That would be great.”

Garrick pulled her close again. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life having your back, Wynn. You have my word on that.”

“I’ll have yours, too,” she whispered. “Always.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

WYNN WOKE UP early Christmas morning. There was no reason not to sleep in, but at quarter to six, her eyes popped open and refused to close again. After a few minutes, she gave up trying to fake sleep and got up. She shrugged into her robe, then made her way to her kitchen where she started coffee. While that brewed, she pulled out the breakfast casserole she’d made the night before. She would let it warm up a bit before popping it into the oven.

The shelves of the refrigerator were overflowing. Her turkey was next door at Garrick’s, but all the ingredients for the side dishes were in hers. The chocolate cream pies that were a holiday tradition at her house had the place of honor on the top shelf.

She poured herself a cup of coffee, then walked into the dining room. All the extensions were in the table, and the special holiday linens were waiting to be put in place. The house would be full today, she thought happily. Full of family and friends and soon-to-be family. Jasper and Renee would join them for dinner, along with Joylyn, Chandler and their baby. Hunter, of course, and Garrick.

Just thinking about him made her glance down at the sparkling diamond on her left hand. She and Garrick were engaged—a happy truth that still made her giddy. The knowledge that he loved her as much as she loved him warmed her. They were blessed, she thought.

This weekend, Wynn, Hunter and Garrick were going to spend more time looking at houses online. Monday she and Garrick had an appointment with a mortgage broker to discuss financing for the house they wanted to buy. Tuesday they were going out with a real estate agent to look at the houses that fit them best. Hunter already had a wish list that included a bonus room big enough to be converted into a media room, and a pool. She wanted a big kitchen with plenty of storage, and Garrick wanted a garage with a workshop area.

She went into the living room and turned on the tree lights before sitting on the sofa. Happiness bubbled through her. She’d come a long way from that scared single mom she’d been fourteen years ago. Finding where she belonged had taken a lot of work and some patience, but it had been worth it in the end.

“Hey, Mom,” Hunter said, stretching as he walked into the living room.

“Merry Christmas,” she said, standing and hugging him.

He hugged her back, all long, skinny arms and bony ribs. He was still growing and already taller than her. When had that happened?

“Merry Christmas,” he said as he slumped down on the sofa. “You’re up early.”

“So are you.”

He grinned. “I couldn’t sleep.” He pointed to the pile of presents under the tree. “Santa came.”

“Yes, he did.”

Her son stretched again. “You know, Mom, it’s okay for Garrick to spend the night. I’m not a kid or anything.”

“Thank you for that, but we’re going to wait to live together. The wedding is only a few weeks away.”

They were getting married at the end of January, hopefully right around the time they closed on their new house. They would get settled and then take a delayed honeymoon in February or March. Hunter would stay with Jasper and Renee while Wynn and Garrick were gone.

Until then, she and Garrick would steal their moments together. Once Joylyn and Chandler returned to San Diego, Garrick would have his house back and they could have a little privacy.

Not that she minded having the young family with them. She and Joylyn had become friends, and Chandler was good company. Elijah was an added bonus, giving Wynn a little baby practice. She and Garrick had agreed they would start trying to get pregnant over the summer. They wanted a few months to settle into married life before the excitement and yes, stress, of a baby.

“Garrick and I have been talking about what kind of car I’m going to get when I turn sixteen,” Hunter said.

“Have you.”

Her son grinned. “Uh-huh. We talked about buying an old junker and restoring it, but decided that wouldn’t be the best choice. We’ll get