Bet on a Mistletoe (10 page)

 
    
“You two are just in time for breakfast,”
her mom said as she and Richard arrived at the house shortly after sunrise.

     
Embracing
her mother, Lorna was amazed how her parents seemed at ease with the fact she’d
been snowed in a house all night with a virile, single man.

     
“Great,
I am starving,” Richard kissed her mother on the cheek.

     
They
all moved into the kitchen where her father was pulling out the ingredients for
breakfast.

     
Crossing
the room, she received a kiss from her father. Richard and her dad shook hands
and exchanged small talk about the snow outside and Mr. Julian’s plow.

     
Lorna
left them all downstairs and went up to her room and changed clothes. She’d
showered with Richard before they left his house.

     
When
breakfast was complete and they all sat around the half of the table that
wasn’t covered with her mom’s puzzle, she said, “Mom, Dad, I need to tell you
all something.”

     
She
noticed her mother looking from her and Richard expectantly. Before she told
them the news that apparently they were expecting, she needed to be honest. “I
didn’t know how to tell you all this, but I came home because I lost my job
months ago.”

     
“Are
you all right? Do you need money for rent?”

     
Her
mother was speechless, her mouth gaped and her hand covering her heart.

     
“There’s
no need for that now, Dad. I lost my apartment this month even with all my
saving. I had no other options but to come home.”

     
“Why
didn’t you tell us?” her mother reached over and stroked her arm.

     
Lorna
shrugged. “Shame mostly. I pushed so hard to make it then the bottom fell out.
I was too stubborn to quit when I was ahead. Then everything snowballed.”

     
“Well,
you’re too smart for something not to come along, soon,” her dad got up and
hugged her.

     
“And if
it doesn’t you always have a home. Whatever the reason I’m glad to have you
here.”

     
“Thanks.”
She took the napkin from Richard and wiped her face and eyes, clearing off the
tears. “I love you both so much.”

     
“We
love you, too.” Her parents echoed in unison.

     
Richard
stroked her back as his warm gaze assessed her, inquiring if she were okay.

     
She
nodded.

     
Turning
towards her parents, Richard spoke, “Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, I’d love the honor of
having your daughters hand in marriage.”

     
Her
mother screamed, clapped her hands and threw her arms around Lorna and Richard
at the same time.

     
“Now,
that’s a Christmas present,” her father commented as he rose from his chair and
came around the table. “I’d be glad to give my approval.” He gave Richard a hug
and a pat on his shoulder as he reached over and embraced her with his other
arm.

     
“Well,
I have something else for you and mom.” Dragging everyone into the living room,
she presented her parents with the gifts she bought them.

     
“Honeybear,
this is perfect.” Her dad admired the craftsmanship of the bear carving along
the body of the cane.

     
“I’m
glad you like it, Dad. I figured it would help getting around during the winter
when your legs get stiff.”

     
Her
father kissed her on the cheek again.

     
“Lorna,
where’d you find these pictures?” Her mother held up the quilt with all three
of their baby pictures screened on three of the squares.

     
“One
day I was going through some boxes in the attic and found your picture in
grandpa’s things. I called Uncle Greg and got a picture of dad. Mine was easier
to find.”

     
They
all laughed.

     
“I love
it, sweetheart.” They hugged.

     
“I know
how much you like reading by the fire or working on your puzzles, that way
you’ll be warm and won’t have to put on so many layers.”

     
Her
mother nodded. “Do you want your gift now?”

     
Shaking
her head, she said, “No, I’d rather wait. I think I have everything I need
right here.”

     
Crossing
the room, she slipped her arms around Richard.

     
His
arms tightened around her as he kissed her on the forehead.

     
Lorna
looked around the room at the people she loved the most in the world. It had
taken her nine years to realize that she was running away from the life she
wanted instead of to it. She was willing to place a bet
on
every holiday mistletoe
that she’d never forget again.

Happy
Holidays!

 
    
I've been penning erotic tales since 2006,
on the hedonistic side of the romance genre. However, I've been writing romance
under a different pen for a while. I'm eclectic by nature. My stories range
from paranormal, contemporary, BDSM, sci-fi and historical.
Mostly
short stories, but occasional full-length novels.

     
I'm
married to my best friend. A guy that makes me
laugh
'til I can't breathe and one who steals my breath every time he walks into a
room. I believe in happily ever after like the rising of the sun depended on
it.

     
If
you’d like to find out more about my books, visit my website.
http://yvettehines.com

Facebook: Yvette Hines (Author Yvette Hines)

Twitter: @sasseYvetteH

Blog:
http://www.sasse-yvette-hines.blogspot.com