Sunset on Moonlight Beach - Sheila Roberts Page 0,111

their way into the living room just as the sound of music drifted in from outside.

Emma came bounding down the stairs. “The fire truck is here!”

Sure enough, the Moonlight Harbor Fire Department had sent out one of its two trucks, all decked out for Christmas with multicolored lights and a big wreath, to serenade the neighborhood. Emma rushed to the front door and threw it open to the strains of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Other residents on their street were also opening their doors to listen and wave.

The truck stopped, and out hopped Santa, carrying a black velveteen sack over his shoulder.

“He’s coming to our house!” Emma cried as he started up their front walk and threw open the door.

“Hello, ladies, merry Christmas,” he said once he reached the porch.

Courtney knew that voice. “Santa, aren’t you a little early?”

“Not according to your mommy, little girl,” he said with a wink. “I know you’ve been naughty this year, but Santa likes naughty girls.”

“He doesn’t,” Emma scoffed. Even though she was no longer a believer she still knew the Santa rules.

“Uh, no, you’re right. So be good and mind your mommy.” He turned back to Courtney. “As for you, young lady, Santa has something special for you.” He whipped the bag around from his shoulder and reached down deep. He pulled out a small black box with a gold lid and a red ribbon and handed it to Courtney. “You can open it early.”

This was it. With trembling hands, she pulled off the ribbon and the lid. And yep, there was the ring box. She opened it and discovered the most beautiful diamond she’d ever seen—a big fat solitaire set in a white gold band.

“Wow,” she breathed.

“Sorry I forgot the fries,” joked Santa, referring to Courtney’s long-ago starter marriage proposal. “So, what do you say, Court? Will you make my life perfect and marry me? Santa needs a Mrs. Claus.”

“Oh, Jonas, yes!” she cried, and threw her arms around him and kissed him.

The driver behind the wheel of the fire truck gave a celebratory honk while the neighbors, catching on quickly, applauded.

“How’d I do?” Jonas asked her. “Is this memorable enough to share with our kids?”

“You bet. Thank you. You are amazing,” she said, and kissed him again.

“Come on, Santa,” called the fireman from behind the wheel. “We got other neighborhoods to hit. Good luck, Courtney,” he added. “You’re stuck with him now.”

“Fine with me,” she called back.

She gave Jonas one final kiss, then shut the door as the truck rolled away, switching from “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” to “Joy to the World.”

“Put it on,” Annie said.

Courtney did and the diamond sparkled and winked at her.

“Wow,” said Emma.

“This is the best Christmas ever!” Courtney cried, hugging herself. She took both Annie and Emma by the hand and started them all dancing in a circle, Annie smiling and Emma giggling.

“We have to celebrate,” Annie said. “I’m making hot chocolate.”

“And I’m calling Moira and Jenna and Celeste. Let’s party!”

* * *

Jenna was delighted for Courtney. She’d finally found her happy ending.

At least someone had, she thought wistfully as she drove back home after consuming enough chocolate at her friend’s impromptu celebration to keep her up all night. It was late and Sabrina was in bed, conked out. The place was quiet as a tomb.

Tomb. Don’t go there.

Jenna locked the door and climbed the stairs to her room. Her lonely room.

Alone. Only a few months ago she’d thought she was going to be sharing a bed with someone. And a life.

“You still have a life,” she lectured herself. So what if it wasn’t the one she’d wanted? It wasn’t all that bad. She had her family and her friends, the beach, a lovely house. Life was what you made it and she’d continue to make hers as good as she could.

Which meant celebrating the season. She took her daughter to Crafty Just Cuz to make miniature Christmas trees from sea glass and did a mother-daughter outing to Waves to get their hair cut and colored. She also finally persuaded Celeste to ride in the Seaside with Santa parade on their float, made to look like a miniature Driftwood Inn. This year the weather was kind to them. No storms, no power outages.

No Brody to pitch in and help.

Never mind him, she’d told herself. He was the past and from now on she was all about the future.

She’d made sure both she and her sister were dressed warmly in matching black leggings,