Texas Christmas Bride: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 6 Read Online Free Page B

Christmas?”
    He chuckled. “You mean the commooty Christmas?”
    She giggled. “Of course.”
    “Where did that idea come from?”
    “Eric.”
    “Eric? Rissa’s Eric?”
    “Our Eric. He’s a Gallagher now—well, a Mackey, technically, but—”
    “Yeah. I got it. So what’s up with that?”
    “Everyone—and I do mean everyone, including the Morning Star branch and the Marshall clan—will be invited. Locals can bring guests.”
    “Wow.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Don’t tell me—Scarlett plans to cook for it.”
    “She was going to, but that got nipped in the bud. The event has morphed into a giant pot-luck. Tree on the courthouse lawn, Secret Santa so everyone has a gift…”
    He smiled and slipped his arms around her waist. “In other words, the best of Sweetgrass.” His gaze went distant. “Hmmm…”
    “What are you thinking?”
    He drew his attention back. “Well, if half the known universe will be there already, and we can pitch in to provide food, maybe Penny and I should give your idea serious consideration and bring in some key staffers who don’t have other plans.”
    “But where will you house them?”
    “Lodging, temporary and permanent, is high on my list of priorities for the town. Some bed and breakfasts, at a minimum.”
    “In all your spare time.”
    He caught the sarcasm and grinned. “Bridger and I talked earlier about some sort of temporary dormitory-type housing on the square—but I’d have to hire crews to construct them. There’s no way we can get it done in time. Besides, Bridger’s hell-bent to get a foundation poured on their house before Christmas. Assuming Penny will stop dinking with the house plans, that is.” He paused. “I volunteered Ben and me to help him build it. Good practice for when we build our own.”
    She glanced around at the home where she’d raised her babies. It would be difficult to leave, but she understood Jackson’s wish to make a home that was all their own. This had been the Butler homestead and David was a benevolent ghost, but his presence was never completely forgotten. Keeping him alive for his girls—and Ben, too—was important. David had been a good and decent man who’d stepped in when she was terrified and hopeless and had done right by her in so many ways.
    It wasn’t his fault he wasn’t Jackson.
    “We don’t have to rush,” Jackson reassured her. “We won’t do it until you’re ready.”
    “I’ll be ready soon. I just—”
    “You’ve had a lot thrown at you, too. Which reminds me, I am still determined to hire you some help around here. Not that I mind helping out, but—”
    “Being a mogul is pretty time-consuming. Your company needs your attention.”
    “Not at your expense.” He hesitated. “Vee, there’s one thing I really want, though. It’s the only thing I—” He didn’t finish.
    It was so out of character for Jackson to be tentative—about anything. “What is it?”
    He kept one arm around her waist, and with the other hand, he lifted her left hand to his lips. “I want to put a ring on this finger. I want to know you’re mine.”
    “Of course I’m yours.” In a way she’d never fully forgive herself for, she always had been. She’d loved David, but theirs had been a gentle, comfortable love that had grown over time. Jackson was the love of her life and had been since she was fifteen years old.
    “I want this, Vee.” He drew in a deep breath. “I…need it.”
    For such a strong, powerful man to make that admission was a sign of how seriously he took this. “I want to marry you, too. I just think it’s important to give the kids time.”
    “I agree, but I’m Prince Daddy now, and Ben seems at peace—or as much so as a teenage boy can be. What are we waiting for?”
    “I—”
    “Be my Christmas present, Vee. Marry me for Christmas, would you? It’s the only gift I want.”
    “How is it a gift, when you’re the one with the magic wand and all the money?”
    “I’m getting so much