My opening the box to reveal the diamond engagement ring inside resulted in a round of mumbled obscenities from the brothers as all three closed in around me, as if they were circling the wagons.
I looked behind me, wondering who they were protecting me from since we seemed to be alone in the building.
Stone glanced around the shop and hissed, “Are you nuts? Put that away.”
“What? Why?” I frowned.
“He’s not around enough to know what it’s like here,” Boone said.
“Well, he’d better learn and fast.” Cash blew out a breath and focused on me. “Dude, if any of the town gossips see that, there goes your surprise.”
I shook my head. “Nobody’s going to—”
“You don’t think so?” Stone leveled a stare on me as he asked, “Did you stop by the liquor store on the way here and pick up a couple of bottles of something?”
Frowning, I said, “Yes. How did you know?”
I’d bought a bottle of red wine for dinner tonight, and, in hopes of a celebration forthcoming, a bottle of champagne.
“Old Lady Trout saw you,” he told me. “She stopped by here a few minutes ago and made me open the register to sell her a quart of cream-line milk before the crowds got here. She took great pleasure in telling me you had not one but two bottles in your hand before noon. She’s now wondering if you have a drinking problem.”
“What?” I laughed at the pure absurdity of that.
“And Alice Mudd asked Red if you and Elizabeth were having problems because Binoculars Brimley told her Elizabeth was back in town without you,” Cash said.
“Jesus.” I shook my head. “She came early to set up the Santa Station.”
I had to work so we’d agreed I’d meet her for the weekend.
Stone nodded. “Oh, I know. You don’t have to tell me.”
“But it’s proof of how things are around here, bro. Get used it,” Cash warned.
“What are you guys so engrossed in talking about over here?” Elizabeth’s sudden appearance behind me surprised me but explained why Boone’s eyes had gone wide as he stared over my shoulder. She pressed a kiss to my check. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I replied, grateful I’d already put the ring box back in my pocket.
“I was just telling Chris here how lucky we are to have you helping out again this year now that you’re a fancy store designer in the city,” Boone slid smoothly into that impressive fib.
She laughed. “Not so fancy. It’s for a small chain of stores that upcycle old things into new things. All I do is arrange the displays. But I love it. I’ve never been happier.”
I cocked up a brow. “I hope I maybe have a little something to do with that happiness.”
“Maybe a little.” She held her thumb and forefinger close together and smiled.
I pulled her close to me and kissed her on forehead. “I missed you this week.”
She rolled her eyes. “I was only gone four days.”
“I know. But the apartment feels empty without you in it.”
Stone cleared his throat. “Do you want us to go so you two can be alone?”
I drew in a breath and leaned back from Elizabeth to look at the oldest Morgan brother. “Sorry. I can’t help it. And no, I don’t want you to go. I want you to help me pick my Christmas trees.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Trees? Plural?”
I smiled. “Yes. One for the farm. One for the apartment.”
Her blonde brows drew low over her sky blue eyes. “Didn’t you tell me you haven’t had a tree since moving out of your mom’s house after college?” she asked.
“That’s true. What can I say? I’ve been overcome by Christmas spirit. It must be because your Winter Wonderland here is so wonderfully festive.” I pulled her closer and rested my forehead against hers . . . then heard the combined groans of the three Morgan brothers.
“You guys are sappier than our trees,” Cash joked.
Boone snorted out a laugh. “Good one, Cash.”
“How about I pick those trees for you while you two continue . . . whatever this is?” Stone offered.
“Thanks,” I said, without releasing Elizabeth and without even looking up.
A Christmas tree—or two—would be nice, but there was nothing Santa could put under either of them that I needed or wanted. I already had everything I could ever want right here in my arms. And if—when—she said yes and agreed to wear that ring hidden in my pocket, it would be like Christmas every day of the year.