Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas by Sharon Kleve, Jennifer Conner, Angela Ford, Natalie-Nicole Bates Page A

for the phone. “I’m just tired and hungry.”
    “I’ll get you something to snack on in a minute.” I opened the oven and read the thermometer. It was time to take the turkey out.
    “Hello.” Keaton’s face turned red after a moment of listening. “Who is this?” He listened some more, his expression hardened and then handed the phone to me.
    I took the phone and whispered to Keaton, “Who is it?”
    “Your boyfriend, Wayne The one you left behind after your three month vacation in Florida. Is that what this is? Just a three month fling?” Sadness clouded his features.
    “No!” First, The Love List and now Wayne. No wonder he was upset. “Let me explain, please…”
    He unclenched his jaw. “Okay.”
    I put my ear to the phone. “Expect a visit from the authorities, Wayne. I will not put up with this harassment any longer.”
    “But I’m here in Vine Grove. I thought if you saw me in person, you’d change your mind and come back to Miami with me.”
    I needed this craziness to end. “Where are you?”
    “I’m staying at the Mountain Inn.”
    “Can I call you back?”
    “Yes! Call me right back.” He hung up. Wayne’s excitement was scary as hell.
    I touched Keaton’s hand. “That was the guy I told you about. He’s nuts. Do you know anyone on the police force?”
    “Yes. I have a good friend. Are you going to file charges?” Keaton’s steely voice reassured me everything would be all right.
    “Yes.” I took a deep breath and put my heart on the line. “Keaton, I don’t plan to leave. I’ve been soul searching for several months, but I feel like Vine Grove is home.”
    Keaton waited patiently for me to continue.
    “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding about The Love List and especially for Wayne. He was never my boyfriend. I never cared for him like I do you. I love you, Keaton.”
    Then his whole body relaxed and he hugged me. “You love me?”
    “Yes,” I breathed in his ear.
    He captured my face between his palms and kissed me gently. “I love you, too. Deep down, I was scared you would leave in January so I never asked if you were staying—I should have.”
    “And I should have been more open about my plans.” I bit my lower lip. “Are we okay?”
    “We are more than okay. We’re in love.” Keaton slipped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
    “Let me go call my buddy, Joe and have Wayne held until Joe can contact the officer in Miami. Joe will need to verify your story, but I can attest to the phone call just now.”
    “Thank you. I’m sorry this happened.”
    Keaton squeezed my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. “Everything will work out. Write down where he’s staying, his phone number, and your contact in Miami.”
    I wrote everything down and then sniffed the air. I broke away. “Crap. I need to get the turkey out of the oven before it dries out.” I opened the oven and removed the turkey along with the potatoes and rolls.
    “I’ll go make the phone call and then entertain our guests while you put the finishing touches on dinner. How does that sound?”
    “Perfect.” He took my hand and pulled it to his mouth, gently kissing my fingertips. He grabbed another quick kiss before leaving the kitchen.
    My heart melted.
    When Wayne was taken into custody he became angry, uncooperative, and punched a deputy. They ran his prints and it turned out I wasn’t the only women Wayne had stalked and swindled. He had additional charges for fraud and identity theft he was going to face when he transported back to Miami. I was assured I wouldn’t be hearing from Wayne again.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    November made its way quickly into December with snow and sleet. Snow I could handle, sleet was a different matter. Kettle and Corn wormed their way into my heart and became permanent residents in my home. Scorch loved and looked after them as if they were his own. The Thanksgiving decorations were taken down and boxed up and I spent