For the Love of Gracie by Amy K. Mcclung Page B

reached out for his arm. “No, you, I want to stay.”
    He smiled and handed me a small gift box.  
    “What is this?”  
    He tapped his index finger against his lip. “Hmm, it’s wrapped in Christmas paper, it has a bow and today is Christmas Eve…a gift maybe?”  
    I laughed. “Sorry, stupid question.”  
    On the tag it read, ‘To Gracie-bug, from  Ash.’   I tore into it and when I opened the velvet box it was a silver charm bracelet with a beautiful ladybug charm dangling from it. The charm was lined in silver, the ladybug was made of a large ruby with black stones, I wasn’t sure what kind, and a large diamond for the head. I gasped at the beauty of it.
    “Ash, this is gorgeous.”  
    He grinned. “It’s a charm bracelet for you to capture your happy moments, achievements, or just things that you enjoy. Something that you can look at when you feel down and it can warm your heart with memories. I started it with a ladybug charm for our day at the lake. I hope that memory makes you happy at least. It’s one of my favorites.”  
    I didn’t respond to his question right away because I was too busy staring at the most thoughtful gift I’d ever received.
    His hand lifted my chin until our eyes met. “Do you like it?” 
    I nodded ever so slightly and held it out. “Put it on me?”   The small silver bracelet looked so tiny against his large masculine hands. My hand trembled as his fingers, adjusting the clasp, brushed against my skin.
    He wrapped his hands around mine. “Are you cold? You’re shaking.”  
    I shook my head. “No, not cold at all.”   I turned the bracelet to look at the ladybug charm.
    “You can find one to represent your friendship with Cameron too.   I know he’d want to be represented.”
    I nodded, unable to speak, as I ran my finger over the beautiful charm and tried to hold back the joyful tears I felt ready to spill.  
    “I saw it and it made me think of you. The day we went fishing and the ladybug landed on you. Plus, since I call you Gracie-bug, I thought it was fitting.”  
    And the tears began to fall. I knew at this moment I’d fallen deeply in love with this man and there was no turning back on those feelings.  
    His fingers traced the charm against my wrist. Once again, I closed my eyes and relished his touch.  When I opened my eyes, they met with his. They seemed to match my feelings at the moment. His hand moved to my cheek. His face leaned in toward mine.
    The moment was interrupted by the deck door opening.    Hudson stood there looking sad. “Can I talk to you?” 
    Ashton looked as disappointed as I felt.   “I’m going to head back in.” 
    Turning my back to Hudson, I asked, “What do you want?”  
    He wrapped his arms around me from behind and I cringed at his touch.   I closed my eyes and imagined it was Ash instead.
    “I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Give me a chance?” he asked.   He moved my hair aside and pressed his lips against my neck.  I squirmed away from his embrace. 
    “Right now, I need some space. Go home, Hudson.”   Defeated, he walked back inside. slamming the door. 
    When it opened again, Ash looked concerned. “Did he hurt you? He looked pretty angry.”  
    I shook my head. “I’m fine. I told him to leav e. He didn’t do anything wrong.”  I fingered the bracelet again and smiled. As he stepped closer to me, I embraced him, pressing my face against his chest. “Thank you for my gift.” 
    He smoothed my hair, “You’re welcome, bug.”   He moved toward the swing and I sat beside him.
    “I’m glad you spent today with us. Are you doing the family thing tomorrow?”  
    He nodded. “Yep, brother, niece, parents, we all have a tradition of going to the Opryland Hotel to look at the lights and the décor.”  
    “I love that place! Especially at Christmas! I haven’t been since they remodeled from the big flood.”  
    He glanced at his watch. “It’s still early. Why don’t we