Joy to the Wolves (Red Wolf #1) - Terry Spear Page 0,127

birdseed, and birdseed hangers resting in the dish.

Brooke started making ham-and-cheese omelets but saw a big snowman Christmas card for her sitting near the fridge. She opened it and found a gift certificate for one completely redesigned kitchen. “Yes! I was so afraid the stove would go out on me before long, and since it’s set in and an odd size, I’d never find one that would fit and have to redo the counters and everything.” Then she opened the item below it that she was sure was a book. She pulled off the gold paper and found a book showing the most beautiful kitchens she could imagine.

She turned to see Josh and Maverick smiling at her. “You don’t know how much this means to me.” She gave Josh a hug and kiss and then Maverick.

“We’re so glad you’re happy with it, and we’ll start on it as soon as you decide on the kitchen of your dreams,” Maverick said.

“I’d love that.” She served the omelets while Maverick poured cups of coffee for them and Josh made some mimosas. “I had initially planned on selling the house and antique shop and starting all over when my three-year contractual obligation was through.”

“You planned to move to another location and set up another antique shop?” Josh asked, sounding surprised.

“No, doing something completely different.” She sat down and raised her glass of mimosa to the guys. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” the brothers said, taking their seats at the dining table and raising their glasses to her before they drank their mimosas.

“What had you thought of doing?” Maverick asked.

“Nothing I could think of. Then something magical happened. A little reindeer calf came to visit. And I met both of you. This is exactly where I was meant to be.”

“Despite all the trouble you’ve had,” Josh said.

She reached over and grasped his hand. “Absolutely.”

“I’m glad.” Josh took a relieved breath. “I didn’t think working in an antique shop would be as rewarding as it is, but the kind of treasures your great-aunt and great-uncle accumulated sure changed my mind. And working with you makes all the difference in the world.”

“That’s exactly how I feel about you and Maverick.”

* * *

After breakfast, Maverick brought out board games, and they played until it was time to start the turkey. Once lunch was ready, Adam, Ethan, and Mr. Lee dropped in to eat with them and watch the movie, all three of them bearing gifts—pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and white wine.

This was the best Christmas with family and friends Brooke could have hoped for. The last three Christmases she’d been alone, since her parents had died. She had suspected she would be this Christmas too. She’d never believed she’d be laughing at the table, eating with a whole group of wolves, and then watching her favorite movie with them afterward.

She might never have left Phoenix to come to Portland if her great-aunt hadn’t stipulated in her will that Brooke had to keep the shop for three years. It hadn’t taken that long to convince Brooke she was right where she needed to be—with her mate, a new pack, and her new family and friends.

* * *

The meal was perfect and the company great, everyone having a grand time talking about the new year and their new year’s goals. Before Brooke had come into his life, Josh really hadn’t had any new year’s goals. Every year was about the same. Same work. Same living arrangements. Same people to hang out with. In a heartbeat, she’d changed all that for him.

First on the agenda was making sure she had a new kitchen. And renovating anything else she needed to have done. He wanted to make a special corral for the reindeer when they came to visit so they’d be secure for visitors, because now they had two places to showcase the reindeer—the ranch and her place, when she wanted them there.

But he also wanted to arrange to have others taking care of the shop while they took trips. He hadn’t gone anywhere in eons, too busy with work. In fact, the emergency leave he took to be with her, to protect her, was the first leave he’d taken in years.

“So when are you going to have a wedding?” Maverick asked.

Josh looked at Brooke. She reached over and took ahold of his hand. “In the summer? I want it to be warm.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“A honeymoon?” Maverick asked. “We’ll have to watch the shop for you, but you deserve to go somewhere