Page 50 of A Christmas By the Sea
“Seriously?” She felt a bigger rush of hope.
“So, I honestly think there’s a future for you here in Seaside,” he declared.
“I’d like to believe that.”
“Listen to him!” Jackson leaped to his feet, going over to the tree where she’d added more decorations earlier. “These are so cool, Mom. I’ll bet you sell every single one by Christmas.”
“That would certainly help,” she admitted. “But it’s not the same as a full-time job with benefits.”
“I’ll be looking for someone to replace Crystal in my shop,” Caleb told her. “It’s not full-time, and I don’t have much in the way of benefits. Although you’d get commission.”
She considered this. As badly as she wanted to remain in Seaside, to carve out a new life, she still had Jackson’s future to consider.
“And you have a marketing background,” Caleb continued. “Maybe you could help me in that department too. I could sure use it.”
She brightened. “I was wondering why you don’t have a website or even a catalogue.”
“Because I never have time to set that stuff up.” He held up his hands. “Or the know-how.”
“Come on, Mom,” Jackson urged. “Please say we can stay here.”
“As much as I’d love to say yes, I’m the grown-up in this family, Jackson. I have to do what’s best for—”
“Okay.” Caleb stood, holding up both hands with an uncertain expression. “I doubt this is the proper way to do this. And I’d really been planning on something more romantic—like on Christmas Eve.” Caleb dropped down on one knee. But instead of facing Wendy, he turned to Jackson. “I’d like to ask your permission to marry your mother, Jackson.”
Jackson’s whole face lit up. “Really? You mean it?”
“I absolutely mean it.”
“Yeah!” Jackson nodded. “Well, if it’s all right with Mom. I guess you should ask her too.”
Caleb pivoted around to face her. “Wendy, I know this must seem sudden to you, but something inside me clicked that day we met in the hardware store. Remember, when you thought I was a pesky salesman?”
“But you won me over,” she said quietly, trying to absorb what was happening.
“I won you over?” he repeated with hopeful eyes. “So will you? Wendy, will youpleasemarry me?”
Wendy was speechless. “Wait a minute.” Her voice trembled with emotion. “Is this apity proposal? Because if it is, I can’t possibly—”
“I assure you, this isnota pity proposal.” He reached for her hand with both of his. “I love you, Wendy. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I think I fell for you almost as soon as we met. I want you for my wife. And I want Jackson for my son.” He paused. “But I realize this is sudden. If you need some time to think about it, I’ll understand and—”
“Yes!” Falling to her knees next to him, Wendy threw her arms around him, and right there in front of her son, they kissed. “Yes, Caleb, I do love you!” she declared. “And I do want to marry you.”
Jackson let out a loud cheer, rousing Oliver from his snooze. Suddenly the three of them, with Oliver bouncing about their heels, were all dancing around the room in joyful celebration.
“God really did it, Mom!” Jackson shouted. “He answered my prayers!”
“Mine too,” Caleb said with his arm still around Wendy.
“Mine too,” Wendy confirmed.
“Yours too.” Jackson hugged Oliver. “We’re all going to have the best Christmas ever!”
