Charming Co-Worker - Jeannine Colette Page 0,42

at me and gives a wink. “There’s definitely no semi here,” he teases.

“Gross.” She rolls her eyes, and I laugh at his crudeness and ability to lighten the mood.

Ella holds up a Slinky she got in her stocking and runs to the stairs to see if it will walk down them.

“I need coffee,” Melissa states, probably needing the extra help that caffeine offers so she can deal with the Christmas chaos that has only just begun.

Hunter reaches behind him and pulls out a box. “Santa brought you something too.”

He holds it out for me, and my heart melts at the simple red bow tied so nicely.

“Hunter,” I say, exasperated, “you shouldn’t have.”

I undo the ribbon and open the box to see a snow globe. Inside is Rockefeller Center at Christmastime. The enormous spruce is set in front of the building, covered in colorful lights. The ice rink is in the foreground with tiny skaters whirling about, and the walkway is lined with angels trumpeting into the air. When I shake it, snow flurries over the iconic New York scene.

I cover my mouth even though it’s my eyes I should shield from anyone seeing how misty I’m getting over this gift.

“You said you love New York at Christmastime. Now, you can have a piece of it all year long.” He leans in and gives the globe a shake too.

My eyes start to pool with emotion. This is beyond thoughtful.

He puts the globe on the coffee table, and we watch the flakes fall on the inside. I’m mesmerized by it, touched by the sentiment.

Hunter hits my thigh and rises. “Let’s get something to eat.”

I stand and follow him around the couch. When we get to the hallway, away from the prying eyes of his family, I stop him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. And not the sweet Christmas kind. This is a stand on your tippy toes and take everything from your soul and pour it into him kinda kiss. As his arms snake around me, he pulls me in and kisses me back. And, no, there’s no semi here.

“What was that for?” he asks as our mouths part.

“I’m just really happy I came here.”

He smiles, taking my hand in his. “Me too, my Katie McGee.”

Hunter wasn’t kidding when he said the Johnstone family Christmas was a big affair. After breakfast, we get dressed for the holiday. I put on a red sweater dress with black leggings and little black booties, and then I go back downstairs to help Randy set the table.

Hunter busies himself in the kitchen to make the sides with Nancy while the food cooks in the oven. I play with Ella and Thomas, Ella showing me how to use her new toys and me showing Thomas how to use his.

I’m on the floor, sitting with my legs bent to the side, making toy train noises, when I glance up and see Hunter standing in the doorway, wearing a look of contentment. I smile but am quickly brought back in the land of trains when Thomas puts his hand on my face and literally brings my focus back there.

Every couple of minutes, the doorbell rings with more family arriving. Hugs are given, traffic is cursed about, and pies are handed off as, one by one, the extended family piles into the home.

Now that everyone is here, it’s a bit overwhelming.

I thought the tree was overloaded before, but now, there’s barely room to sit with the presents piled so high into the seating area.

Hunter never falters with introducing me as his girlfriend, and honestly, I’m not tired of hearing it. His cousins seem surprised. His grandma hugs him with glee, praising the Lord that he’s finally found someone. And his uncle Gerry tells me I am a fine piece of candy cane—a comment that has Hunter turning to me with an I told you so expression written all over his face. I politely thank the gentleman so as not to cause a scene.

“What’s the difference between snowmen and snowwomen?” Uncle Gerry asks, and then he quickly answers, “Snowballs!”

I laugh as I sit and listen to several more while Nancy continues to tell her brother-in-law that he’s being inappropriate.

“Dinner’s on!” Randy yells from the kitchen.

Ella is the first to jump to her feet and race to the dining room. All day, they’ve had to remind her that we won’t open presents from the family until after dinner, and she’s been asking when dinner