A Seagrove Christmas (South Carolina Sunsets #6) - Rachel Hanna Page 0,1
in Mississippi, so they’d had to fend for themselves on Thanksgiving.
Dawson had done an outstanding job with the turkey, while Dixie had brought the most delicious stuffing. Janine, the world’s worst cook, had smartly brought a pre-made cake from a bakery. SuAnn brought pound-cake, of course, and Julie had cooked the sides. It had been the most fun Thanksgiving she’d ever had. Every person she loved was sitting around the table, and that was more than she could ever ask for in her life.
“I forgot,” Dylan said.
“But there are some snacks in the fridge. Just don’t eat too much before bed, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said before he scurried off into the kitchen.
Dawson opened the box and looked at Julie. “How are we supposed to get more ornaments on this tree?”
“We aren’t putting them all on there. This box has some family ornaments that I’d like to put up, though. Like this one,” she said, pulling one out of the tissue paper and smiling. “Colleen made this in third grade.”
“Aw. A cute little doggie,” Dawson said, taking it from her hand.
Julie stared at him. “It’s a snowman.”
Dawson laughed. “Glad she didn’t become an artist.” She smacked him on the arm playfully.
“And look at this. My grandmother knitted this little stocking ornament when Meg was born.”
He smiled. “You know what I love about this Christmas?”
“What?”
“That it’s now our family. Not yours and not mine. Ours.”
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Forever.”
* * *
Colleen stared at the computer screen, trying to get her eyes to focus. Thanksgiving had been so much fun, but she’d eaten too much, couldn’t sleep, and she was still exhausted. Besides, who wanted to work at all during the holiday season?
“How’s it coming?” Tucker asked, walking up behind her. Everyone else in the office was off today, but they had work to do if his new toy was going to take off this holiday season.
“Well, I just sent the report to Ted, and the numbers are looking great. You know we’re on the best toy list for this Christmas season?”
Tucker grinned. “Seriously? Oh, Colleen, I think this might be our big break!”
She stood up and faced him. “I’m so proud of you, Tuck. All the hard work is paying off.”
He pulled her into a tight embrace. “I couldn’t do any of this without my best friend. Thanks for believing in me, Colleen.”
“Always.”
As they stood there, hugging in her cubicle, she was so thankful to have found a man like Tucker. Some days, she didn’t know what she did to deserve him. He was always kind to her and everyone else. He went out of his way to help people. He loved his career, and he was a kid at heart. Being around Tucker was pure joy.
“What do you say we go get some lunch?”
Colleen rubbed her stomach. “Great idea. I’m starving.” She picked up her purse just as the phone on her desk rang. Sighing, she reached over and picked it up. “This is Colleen. How can I help you?” She listened for a moment, and then her mouth dropped open. “Can you hold just a moment, please?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Tucker, that’s Jamison O’Malley.”
“What?”
“He wants to set up a meeting with you.”
“Jamison O’Malley wants to meet with me? About what?” The CEO of the largest toy manufacturer was hanging on the line to talk to her boyfriend, and Colleen felt like she couldn’t breathe. This was like the President of the United States calling.
“I don’t know, sweetie. But I don’t think keeping him on hold is the best idea.”
Tucker nodded quickly and took the phone. As he answered, his voice vibrating slightly at the beginning, Colleen felt her heartbeat quicken. This was a big deal, and she knew it. Tucker deserved all the good things, and she was certain this was the start of something big.
* * *
Hen pinched off a piece of the cinnamon apple pound-cake that SuAnn had given her and stuffed it into her mouth like she hadn’t eaten in days. “I swear I’ve gained ten pounds since we stopped hating each other.”
SuAnn rolled her eyes. “Would you rather we went back to hating each other then?”
Hen thought for a moment. “No. I’m too addicted now.” She wiped her mouth and took a sip of her sweet tea, the rush of sugar surely flying through her veins. “So, I actually came today because I have some news for you.”
“What kind of news?” SuAnn asked, biting into her piece of pound-cake and realizing that it needed more