Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Cole steps up beside me, his arm wrapping around my waist, and he leans in, brushing a kiss over Holly’s head. “She’s the cutest Santa this town’s ever had,” he murmurs, his voice low, teasing, and my heart does a little flip, like it always does when he’s close.
I grin, nudging him with my shoulder. “You say that because she’s your spitting image.”
He chuckles, slipping an arm around me, holding us both close, like we’re his entire world. And maybe we are. He glances down at Holly, his eyes softening as he reaches a finger down for her to grab. “Nah, I see a whole lot of her mama there too. Besides, I can’t take all the credit if she ends up as stubborn as you.”
I roll my eyes, feeling that familiar spark of banter that’s always between us, that never seems to fade, no matter how many Christmases we spend together. “Stubbornness or determination? Maybe she’ll get a double dose.”
Cole laughs, his gaze locking onto mine with that same bold, unfiltered look that always gets under my skin. “Good. She’ll need it to keep up with us.”
Just then, Knox and Perry join us, Perry letting out a little squeal as she leans over to peek at Holly. “Oh my goodness, Ivy! She’s just perfect. Look at her—already giving that ‘don’t mess with me’ look. That’s pure Copper Mountain attitude right there.”
Knox grins, giving Cole a hearty slap on the back. “Better watch out, bro. In another fifteen years, you’re gonna have your hands full.”
Cole grins back, not an ounce of worry on his face. “Good. Keeps life interesting.”
Pope and Ruby join us next, and Ruby’s coos over Holly send my heart soaring with pride. “Oh Ivy, she’s beautiful,” Ruby says, gently brushing her fingers over Holly’s tiny mitten-covered hand. “She’s going to be breaking hearts before you know it.”
Pope smirks, crossing his arms. “Let’s just hope she doesn’t take after her dad in the grumpy department.”
“Oh, she’s got plenty of her mama’s sunshine to keep her balanced,” Cole says, squeezing my waist and pressing a quick kiss to my temple. His voice drops, low and intimate, making me shiver. “Lucky for me, she inherited her mama’s charm.”
The warmth spreading through me is almost too much to bear, and I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. “We’re just getting started, aren’t we?”
Barron and Tamlyn approach, Barron giving Holly a nod like she’s already one of them, part of the family. He’s got his arm around Tamlyn, who looks down at Holly with a quiet, sweet smile, eyes lighting up. “She’s perfect,” Tamlyn says.
Archer sidles up with Bella, a playful gleam in his eye as he studies Cole. “Cole, did you ever think you’d be the guy bringing a baby dressed as Santa to a Christmas festival?”
Cole laughs, and I feel his hand tighten on my waist. “Never in a million years,” he admits, grinning down at Holly. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
King, Cruz, Arrow, Judge, and Creed Steele are the last to join us, forming a circle around Holly and me, their expressions a mix of pride and amusement. They’re all big, tough men, yet each one softens a little at the sight of her, like she’s a spark of light they can’t help but be drawn to.
“So,” Creed says, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Are we all ready to start taking bets on whether she’s going to be a heartbreaker or a troublemaker?”
Perry laughs, leaning into Knox as she watches Holly with that loving gleam in her eyes. “Knowing her parents, I’d say she’ll be both.”
Cruz chuckles, nodding. “Exactly what Copper Mountain needs—a little more spark to keep things interesting.”
They’re all bantering back and forth, trading jokes and laughter, but my focus drifts to Cole, who’s watching me, his eyes warm and steady, like he’s taking in every detail of this moment, locking it away somewhere only he has access to. I feel the familiar warmth of his hand on the small of my back, and I lean into him, savoring the way he holds me, like there’s no place he’d rather be.
“You’ve really made this place feel like home,” he murmurs, his voice low, just for me.
I glance up at him, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “We did it together, didn’t we?”
He nods, a soft smile tugging at his mouth as he looks down at Holly, his hand coming up to brush his thumb over her tiny cheek. “She’s the best Christmas gift I ever got.”
The festival is in full swing around us, families skating on the rink, kids running around with cups of hot chocolate, and couples cozying up under twinkling lights. Everywhere I look, I see happiness, warmth, and love, and I can’t help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world, wrapped up in this life we’ve built together.