I took it from her and slipped it on her finger. “There. It’s official.” I held her hand and gazed into her eyes. “Now that you’ve agreed to be my wife, I’m not sure how long I can wait. We might have to plan a quick wedding.”
She laughed with delight. “Clay Drover, you are the most patient man I know. Surely, you can wait a couple of years.”
“A couple of years!” I shrieked. “Are you crazy?”
She snickered. “I’m joking, sweetheart. I don’t want to wait two years either.”
“Good because I was thinking more along the lines of two weeks.”
She snorted, and yes, the sound came through her nose. “You are out of your mind.”
I nodded. “Yes, that’s true. When it comes to you, I am unequivocally out of my mind.”
***
It was Christmas Eve, and I’d organized a small group to go caroling. We weren’t able to do it the night of the auction, and Jazmin wanted another opportunity. Her entire family was participating, as well as Derek and Callie and a few others from church.
We stood in front of Kate and Evan’s house, and I knocked on the door. Evan answered, surprise showing on his face. We were all bundled up in jackets and scarves and hats, and we immediately began singing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Kate and her young daughter, Amy, came to the door, both smiling from ear-to-ear.
When we finished the song, Callie spoke up. “We’re here to bring you Christmas cheer. How is Amy doing?”
Kate squeezed her daughter’s shoulder and grinned. “So much better. The inhalers she’s using are helping a lot.”
Amy raised her hand like she was in school. “Can I ask a question?”
Kate laughed. “Go ahead, sweetheart. What do you want to know?”
“Do they know Frosty the Snowman?”
“Of course, we do,” Callie said, laughing. She glanced back at us. “One, two, three…”
We all started singing at once. We carried printouts of different Christmas carols and that song wasn’t one of them, but a few in the group knew all the lyrics regardless, and the rest of us followed their lead. We sang one more song and then Jazmin handed them homemade pumpkin bread with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. She and I had made about six loafs early this morning, and the plan was to take them around to those we thought might benefit from a little Christmas cheer.
Walking away from the house, Jazmin turned to me, a smile lighting up her face. “That went well. Where should we go from here?”
“Ed Green is next on the list, and he doesn’t live too far away.”
We all caravanned over to his home and then stood on his front porch. I rang the doorbell and stepped back. Ed answered and blinked in surprised when he saw all of us, and then a huge smile broke out over his face when we began singing Silent Night. We jumped right into O Come All Ye Faithful after that, and Ed’s two sons and their wives and families joined him at the door.
“What a nice surprise,” Ed said, grinning. His gaze found mine, and he reached forward to shake my hand. “Glad you stopped by, Clay, and I see your sweet girlfriend is here with you today.”
Jazmin held up her left hand and smiled. “Fiancée now.”
His eyes widened. “Wonderful. Congratulations to both of you. I’m so happy to hear that.”
I put my arm around Jazmin’s shoulders and drew her to my side. “Thank you. We’re both thrilled.” I looked at her and winked, and she winked back, playfully.
We sang another song and then headed to a few other homes the others from church recommended. The last stop was at an assisted living home for seniors. By the time we were done, our hearts were full and our faces were cold, but it was worth the effort. Everyone returned to my house, the one Jazmin and her family were still staying in, and we had hot cocoa and sugar cookies. One of Jazmin’s cousins had made them the day before with her kids, and each cookie was covered with frosting and sprinkles on top.
Once we finished eating the cookies and hot cocoa, we all grouped in the living room and watched It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed. Jazmin told me her family watched it every year on Christmas Eve as a tradition, so I made sure we kept that tradition.
When the movie was over, Derek walked over and shook my hand. “Thanks for inviting us. Callie and I enjoyed spending time with you guys. Have a blessed Christmas, and congratulations once again. We’re really happy for you and Jazmin.”
Callie made her way over and hugged Jazmin. She slipped a present into her hand and whispered something in her ear. Jazmin tore open the wrapping paper and pulled out an ornament with two love birds kissing and the sign underneath said: Our First Christmas.
“This is so adorable,” Jazmin said, placing a hand over her heart. “I can’t believe you got this for us. It’s so sweet!”
I moved closer and wrapped my arm around her waist, leaning in so I could see the ornament better. The birds were white and the lettering on the sign was written in glittery red and gold. “This is really cool. Thank you.”
Callie grinned. “Derek and I are so excited for you both. First Hunter and Sabrina, and now the two of you. Our circle of newlyweds just got bigger.”
“Have you set a date yet?” Derek asked.
“I’m still trying to convince Jazmin that we should tie the knot before her family returns home.”
Jazmin’s mother overheard us and joined
