The Christmas Bouquet by Sherryl Woods

grass to meet him. He studied her face, trying to guess how things might be going inside.
    “You okay?” he asked, taking the time to kiss her thoroughly despite whatever prying eyes might be watching.
    “Getting there,” she said, a little breathless from their kiss.
    “Does everyone inside know what’s going on?”
    “I’ve only told Mom, Gram, Trace, Grandpa Mick and Grandma Megan, but I think we can assume the word has spread. I was getting an awful lot of speculative looks just now.”
    “What about Carrie? Is she around?”
    “Nope, she’s at some fashion thing in Milan or Paris.” She shrugged. “Someplace in Europe. I’ll tell her next time she calls.”
    He grinned. “Are you sure you two are identical twins?” he asked, checking out her loose-fitting linen slacks and oversize sweater in a shade of purple never intended to be worn with her coloring. He thought she looked amazing, but he imagined her fashion-conscious sister would have been appalled.
    “I know what you mean,” she said, glancing down with a rueful expression. “I’m a mess.”
    “Not even close,” he objected. “Just oblivious to the designer racks, thank goodness. I think you look perfect.”
    “And that’s why I love you,” she said, linking her arm through his. “Are you ready to do this?”
    “Are you?”
    “I think so,” she said. As they neared the house, she leaned close and whispered, “Don’t worry. Whatever happens, I’ll protect you.”
    Noah smiled at that, then stopped her when she would have opened the door. “Cait, have you made any decisions?”
    She shook her head. “I told you I wouldn’t, not until we’d talked. Did you think I’d go back on my word?”
    “No, it’s just that you seem more at peace than you did the other day.”
    She paused, her expression thoughtful. “I think I am,” she admitted, sounding surprised. “It must be the Chesapeake-Shores effect.”
    Whatever it was, if it had put a sparkle back into her eyes, Noah counted that as a blessing.

4
    C aitlyn watched carefully as her family chatted with Noah. He seemed to be holding his own with all of them, even Grandpa Mick and Trace. The tension in Trace’s jaw had finally eased. He’d even nodded approvingly when her mom appeared at his side. Abby had looked ready to intervene if things got out of hand, but Trace’s glance evidently reassured her.
    Still, Caitlyn held her breath as her grandfather pulled Noah aside. When she stepped in their direction, Noah gave a subtle shake of his head and Grandpa Mick regarded her with a forbidding expression.
    “Let them talk,” Nell advised. “You come and give me a hand in the kitchen. I’ll give you a few more tips on the finishing touches for the Irish stew. And I’ve made Irish soda bread to go along with it. You can take notes on that.”
    “I doubt I’m up to baking bread,” Caitlyn protested.
    “It’s a great stress reducer,” Nell promised. “It’ll come in handy whenever you’ve worries on your mind.”
    “In that case, bring it on,” she said. “I’ve plenty of challenges ahead, it seems.”
    As she turned to go into the kitchen with Nell, she cast a last worried glance in Noah’s direction, then dutifully followed her great-grandmother. She still couldn’t seem to concentrate on Nell’s words, though.
    “Child, my first impression of Noah is that he’s a fine young man with a quick wit and a good head on his shoulders. I think he’s capable of putting Mick’s fears to rest,” Nell said at last. “All your grandfather wants is to know that you’re loved.”
    “Love doesn’t always solve all the problems, though,” Caitlyn said, thinking of how many things needed to be resolved to make this situation right. Some of the obstacles seemed insurmountable.
    “Of course it does, at least if it’s the real thing,” Nell said impatiently.
    “Then why do people say that love isn’t always enough?”
    “Because they don’t understand that the