A Farmer's Christmas Read online

  “Damn right.” Raven smiled as she looked Janette straight in the eye. “So, it’s settled then. You’re staying and never moving out.”

  “Let’s not say never.”

  “Why?”

  “Makes me think of dying.”

  “Oh.” She let the plate she was washing drop back into the water with a soapy splash and forced Janette into an embrace. “You’re much too young to think of that.”

  Janette scoffed, and Raven squeezed her tighter.

  “Besides, I don’t want Ben blaming me if you move out.”

  “He won’t. I’ll tell him.”

  Raven sighed, releasing her from the hug. “You’re not bloody moving out. There’s plenty of room for the three of us here.”

  “You want me to stay as a third wheel.”

  Raven looked her in the eyes. “I want you to stay as my mom.”

  “Oh.” Janette’s eyes welled with tears. “Oh.”

  Raven got up and embraced Janette. There was a noise behind her, and she turned to see Ben.

  “Mom, are you crying? I was worried the fires might be too much,” said Ben.

  Janette quickly stepped back and used the edge of her tea towel she was holding to wipe the corners of her eyes. “Raven just made me very happy.”

  Ben strode over to Raven and hugged her. “She has a way of doing that.”

  Raven secretly grinned to herself, nestling into Ben. She had finally rendered Janette speechless.

  Christmas Day

  Wednesday, December 25th

  The shared Christmas lunch had been a success. The sun shone hot and high in the cloudless sky, making everyone drowsy from overeating.

  Brumbie had given Raven a detailed outline of the timeline he’d already worked out to get Old Marg up and running and back to her former glory. She was glad a simple idea had helped him to connect with life and not despair after losing so much in the fire. Who knew if there would be any money in printing her own cards, but it meant that she was getting to know a local, and the idea was giving him a reason to live. That’s all that really mattered to her. Raven felt like she was beginning to be part of this community. The loneliness still lingered, but now it was under the surface, and it didn’t haunt her as it had only days ago. She knew it was something she could handle. Now and in the future.

  “How do you like your first Christmas on the farm?” asked Ben coming up to her with his gift in hand. She lay on the little section of grass that hadn’t been burned by the fire.

  “It’s perfect.” She sat up.

  “High standards for next year, then?” he said as he sat next to her. It felt good to have him close to her again and not in danger fighting the fire.

  “Yes.”

  His grin broadened. “You mean you’re happy to be here for another year?”

  “And even more than that.” She winked at him.

  “I think hearing that is the best Christmas gift I could ever hope for.”

  “I’m just glad you’re not on the harvester.”

  “I’ll stop for Christmas, and with you here, I can make it a break for the entire day.”

  “A farmer’s Christmas, then?”

  “Well, some jobs still need to be done like feeding the alpacas. They like the extra bit of feed they get for Christmas, you know, especially Evie.”

  “She does like her food.”

  “So, do you.”

  “Hey.” She playfully slapped him on the arm. He laughed.

  “Merry Christmas.” He handed her his gift.

  She noticed Ben was holding his breath as she ripped the Christmas paper and lifted the lid of the box. “Are you saying I need to work more?” She lifted out one of the new work boots.

  “Dammit, I should’ve just got you chocolate.”

  “I love them.”

  “What?”

  “I need a pair of work boots if I’m staying. So, you’re happy if I stay, right?”

  “Damn right, I am.”

  “Good.” She reached over and took out a small box. “Merry Christmas.”

  “You didn’t need to get me anything.”

  “It’s our first Christmas together. I wanted to.”

  He tore away the red and gold Christmas paper and picked up a little statue of an alpaca.

  “It’s too cute, right?” Raven squirmed. He doesn’t like it.

  “It reminds me of Evie.”

  “It’s meant to.”

  Ben turned and put his arm around Raven, pulling her close to him. “Thank you.” He kissed her long and slow. She sighed pleasantly.

  “It will always remind me how much you’ve given up being here with me, to give us a chance.”

  She pecked him on the cheek. “This is my home now. I can feel it.”

  He brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face. “I’m so glad you feel that way.”

  “I love you,” she kissed him, letting her mind spin with desire when their lips touched.

  “I love you, too.”

  Raven shimmied closer to Ben, and they held each other, looking out at the farm, alpacas grazing in the paddock beyond the sheds.

  “This wasn’t how I thought Christmas would be, but I can honestly say it’s perfect,” said Raven.

  “It is, and I look forward to many more with you. Maybe next year we’ll manage to get a Christmas tree.”

  “With or without a Christmas tree, as long as you’re with me, and we’re here on the farm. I quite like this farmer’s Christmas.”

  “Welcome to the family.” Ben kissed her on the cheek. Raven smiled at him. It was good to finally feel like this was her home.

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  Thank you Kaylene for editing and formatting, and always having time to offer support and advice.

  Thanks to Kelly Dennis for a sexy, hot cover design.

  Thanks to my sisters for their support of their crazy sister who is a writer, and my toddler boy for being well-behaved so I can still have time to write and nurture my soul.

  Thanks to my dog, Kimba, for reminding me when it’s time to eat and go to bed, and for simply just lying there next to me or at my feet, being that extra life in the room, so the writing journey isn’t so lonely.

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  Lilliana Rose is an Amazon bestselling author, who writes romance in the subgenres of contemporary, paranormal, steampunk, and rural. She enjoys helping characters overcome problems or issues, and the misunderstandings that often plague relationships, to help them fall in love. Whether it’s city heels being replaced with country work boots, or some magic beyond this world, or cogs and gears and corsets, each story shows how love can prevail.

  Check out more of her work at www.lillianarose.com and as an Amazon Author and her blog on creative inspiration and wellbeing, Café Pondering www.cafepondering.com.

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