Page 59 of Beneath the Mistletoe
One year ago, Baxter couldn’t have imagined such felicity in his life. Though he was quite familiar with the concept, the sentiment had been a stranger to him. Not that his life had been devoid of all joy, but it was vastly different from being happy. A moment of jubilation was delightful, to be certain, but to exist in a constant state of contentment and pleasure had seemed like a fairy story one told children. Yet standing in the parlor as his daughter and son-in-law drank to the health of his wife, Baxter knew it was real. He was truly happy.
Soon, they were joined by his daughter and son-in-law’s friends, and though Baxter usually avoided gatherings, good people celebrating good news was the best sort of party. He opened his cellars and pantry to the revelers as Christmas was ushered in early. Holding his daughter in his arms, Thomas beamed like a proud papa as Charity began planning their future in London, and as much as it pained Baxter to think of her traveling so far away, he couldn’t help but smile at her unrestrained delight.
Hettie stood to one side, and it was easy enough to know what thoughts were shuffling about her mind, for there was no artifice in her expression. She was the picture of contentment, and he rather wished he had his pencils on hand to capture it, though he knew he could never do the warmth in her eyes justice.
Sneaking up behind her, Baxter slipped an arm around her chest and held her to his own as she leaned into him with a contented sigh. Then, secreting out a bit of mistletoe, he drew it up over her head with his free hand, and she gazed up at it with a feigned frown.
“It is too early for that, Mr. Baxter,” she said in a tart tone. “The greenery isn’t to come out until tonight.”
“Then will you deny me a kiss?”
With a huff, she turned her cheek, presenting it to him as though allowing him a great honor—one which Baxter did not turn aside. Leaning close, he pressed his lips to her skin, lingering to savor the touch, and with her snuggled close to him, he felt the quickening of her pulse. It matched his own.
Leaning her head back, she rested it against his. “I am so happy for them, but I cannot help but be a little selfish and mourn the thought of them moving so far from home.”
“London is not so very far from here,” replied Baxter, though he couldn’t help but agree with Hettie’s assessment. “It is some fifty miles, depending on where they settle in Town, and the roads are very good. It won’t be difficult for us to visit them as often as you like.”
“Every day?” she asked with a slight laugh.
“We could move there, too, if you wish.”
Hettie stiffened and turned her head to look at him. “Do you wish to?”
But Baxter couldn’t say if he did or not. Certainly, being close to his daughter and her family was quite the enticement, but Juniper Court was his home. So, he gave her the only answer he had to give.
“If it will make you happy.”
“Will it make you happy?” she pressed.
“As long as I have you, I am happy.”
Twisting around to face him, Hettie circled her arms around his neck. “You say the sweetest things, my love.”
His hands rose to cup her cheeks, and Baxter stared into her eyes, once more awed by this magnificent lady. That he was her “love” struck him anew every time she uttered the endearment. How could he ever be worthy of such a lady? But only fools questioned good fortune when it came their way, and despite his many flaws, Baxter was no fool. Hettie was his, and he was never letting her go.
*
Though Hettie never tired of hearing Baxter speak those lovely sweet nothings, staring into his eyes as he looked at her with such reverence was even better. There was no artifice in that gaze. No tempering of his feelings. Hettie felt as though he saw to the very heart of her and loved her all the more for it.
But as much as she adored gazing into his eyes, she wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. So, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. As she drew her arms tight around him, the world narrowed to this single moment, stripping away everything else in her life until it was just her and her dear Baxter.
Unfortunately, their audience was far too rowdy to let the moment go, and teasing jeers soon had the pair parting.
“Ungrateful brats,” grumbled Baxter, swiping a hand at his daughter and the rest. But it was Thomas’s waggling brows that had Hettie losing the last of her composure, and she dissolved into a fit of laughter that was more befitting a lady half her age.
Turning to face them once more, Hettie took her previous stance whilst Baxter drew his arm around her, holding her close.
“You have done this for our family,” he whispered into her ear as they watched the others return to toasting their plans for the future.
Hettie’s heart nearly burst at the swell of happiness. Between the celebrations raging around them and her husband snuggled close, she didn’t know how to contain the incandescent bliss surging through her. Baxter’s words echoed through her, burrowing deep into her heart and filling her so completely that she couldn’t help the joyful tears that gathered.
Ourfamily.
