A Family for Christmas by Noelle Adams Page A

Gabe had just pulled her into the embrace so he could have a private
conversation with her while the others were in the room, but it felt now like
he was supporting her.
    She
kind of liked the feeling.
    “Daddy?”
a voice came from behind her.
    Gabe
pulled away and looked down on his daughter, who had moved over to stand near
them. “Hi, sweetheart. You looked beautiful and held your flowers perfectly.”
    “Thank
you. Are you done hugging her now?”
    “Yes,”
he said, with a low chuckle, reaching down for his daughter. “Now I can hug
you.”
    He
hugged the little girl in a tight grip, and the feeling between them was
obvious. Lydia felt cold and still trembly, after having lost the embrace, but
she wasn’t about to complain.
    She
needed Gabe to get to India. She didn’t need him in any other way.
    ***
    They had a small
reception at the church, and then Lydia and Gabe drove to Asheville while Ellie
went to stay with her grandparents.
    Gabe
and Lydia were going to spend the weekend in a historic inn in Asheville.
Everyone expected them to have a honeymoon, and this was the most
low-maintenance thing they could think of.
    It
wasn’t like it was a burden to spend the weekend in an upscale inn. What
everyone else expected to happen over the weekend didn’t actually have to
happen.
    The
drive went quickly because she and Gabe were talking about plans for their work
in India. She was as interested in his business center as she was in her own
work, and they actually got a brainstorm for a potential project that could
give girls rescued from the brothels training for jobs.
    It
was in the early stages—just ideas at this point—but Lydia was excited, and she
had a great time talking it all out with Gabe, who had the best head for
business she’d ever seen.
    The
inn was a renovation of an old mansion, and it was gorgeous, set amidst the
mountain scenery and obviously very expensive.
    Lydia
felt the first qualm as she pulled her bag out of the car. “They’re not going
to give us a honeymoon suite or anything, are they?” she asked, gazing up at
the white columns and wide porch.
    “No.
Of course not. I got a two-bedroom suite.” Gabe looked surprised, like she’d
offended him. “What did you think?”
    “Nothing,”
she said hurriedly, feeling guilty for her question. “I didn’t think you
would…I mean, sorry.”
    He
gave her a half-smile and shook his head.
    “Did
you have to make up some excuse about why we need two rooms?”
    “No.
It’s none of their business.”
    She
thought about that for a minute and decided he was right. She wasn’t sure why
she thought it was a big deal. It certainly didn’t matter whether the manager
of this inn thought they were strange for getting a two-bedroom suite for their
honeymoon.
    The
manager greeted them warmly, and then a bellboy carried up their luggage. The
suite was spacious with lovely hardwood floors, a large balcony, and two
fireplaces.
    Lydia
gulped, thinking about how much money Gabe must have spent on it. She’d have to
offer to chip in. Obviously, given the difference in their finances, any
contributions she made would be mostly token, but it still felt important to
her to make the gesture.
    She
never wanted Gabe to mistakenly believe she thought his money was hers to use
as she liked.
    Once
all the features of the room and inn were explained, the bellboy left, and Gabe
and Lydia stood in the main room, staring at each other.
    Tonight
was their wedding night.
    Lydia
couldn’t help but be acutely aware of the breadth of Gabe’s shoulders, the
strength of his jaw, the masculinity in the lines of his body.
    He
really wouldn’t be a bad choice for a wedding night.
    Not
that they were going to have sex, she reminded herself.
    “Which
room do you want?” he asked at last, after staring at her the way she’d been
him.
    “It
doesn’t matter. They’re both lovely.”
    “Why
don’t you take the one with the tub, then? Assuming you like to take baths,
that