Friday Romance: Christmas Brunch (Part 4 of 4)
As everyone dug into their plates, Jennifer leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her mimosa. She'd placed Wyatt at the other head of the table. It made sense for the cooks to be at either end...
Snow was falling as Jennifer began putting plates on the table. She couldn’t help but glance outside and feel cheerful at the notion of a white blanket coating everything on Christmas morning.
“Brunch is served,” declared Jennifer.
“You’ve really outdone yourself, Wyatt,” said her brother.
“Funny,” said Jennifer. “I helped. Right, Wyatt?”
“I couldn’t have applied the jelly any better if I tried,” said Wyatt.
“Tremendous,” exclaimed her mother.
Her father entered the kitchen with his coffee in hand. A satisfactory smile and nod were his only response.
As everyone dug into their plates, Jennifer leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her mimosa. She’d placed Wyatt at the other head of the table. It made sense for the cooks to be at either end, right? So they could look at the delicious bounty of food they prepared? Had she done it in hopes they’d catch each other staring across the table?
She reached for the salt beside her brother.
“So, Wyatt,” said her mother. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Head home and rest up for the big day,” he replied. “What are you all up to?”
“We’re going caroling,” said her mother. “Care to join us?”
“Jennifer mentioned caroling yesterday. I’m not much of a singer, but I can’t turn down an offer to spread some holiday cheer. When are you going?”
“As soon as we finish eating,” said her brother.
Jennifer took a bite of her pancake and glanced at the table. Everyone was busy enjoying their meals. She looked at Wyatt and locked eyes with him, and smiled. He smiled back at her. She restored her gaze to her plate. Her cheeks felt warm, and she wondered if they’d turned red.
Everyone at the table sipped their drinks and picked at the last remnants of their plates as Jennifer began clearing the table of condiments.
“I hope everyone has room for dessert,” she said. “Gingerbread cookies.”
Wyatt walked alongside Jennifer to the next house on the street. He took a bite from the candy cane they each had been gifted him at the previous house. He noticed her brother’s children were the only ones doing the same.
How’d he end up walking alongside his high-school crush on Christmas Eve? If he’d stayed in the small town they grew up in, could they have ended up together?
Was it too late to give it a try?
“Uh oh,” said her mother. Wyatt looked up and noticed he and Jennifer were standing under mistletoe.
“Who puts mistletoe above their porch?” he asked.
He turned to Jennifer, and she gave him the same stare he’d caught from across the table during brunch. He leaned in. She did the same.
The cool air nipped his nose as he pulled away from her warm lips.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered.
Thank you for reading this week’s entry of Friday Romance. I hope you enjoyed! Do you know anyone who would enjoy romance stories in their inbox? Please share with friends and family if you wish, this helps my newsletter grow and reach more readers.
The sequel to The Centennial Courtship (The Centennial Engagement) is available on Kindle! Get it today
I hope you’re excited to visit Brooks Landing during the holidays.
If you haven’t visited my Amazon Author Page lately, it’s been updated with my Kindle Vella series! The Centennial Engagement is COMPLETE on Kindle Vella. Check it out and look out for the eBook version coming to Amazon soon!
More Friday Romance Stories:
Coffee Pot Conversations:
The Centennial Engagement (The Centennial Series Book 2)
Book a room at the bed-and-breakfast and return to Brooks Landing during the holidays. Abigail and Hunter's relationship continues to grow, but are they ready to make the next step? Meanwhile, Colin finds himself in a blooming love triangle. Unfortunately for Hunter, and Colin, their love lives are uprooted when the neighboring town of Peak Creek calls on the help of Officer Robinson (and his crime-stopping partner Colin Bloom) to solve a mystery once again-This time before Christmas.
The Centennial Courtship (Book 1) is also available on Smashwords and Nook.