A Sleigh Ride
Home
By Roxanne
Rhoads
The moonlight
glittered off the freshly fallen snow. It was like taking a sleigh ride through
a forest of crystals. Everything sparkled, glimmered and shimmered. It was
truly beautiful. Caleb was really trying so hard to give me the “good, old
fashioned Christmas” experience that I had always dreamed of; complete with a
one horse open sleigh, fresh falling snow, and a thermos full of hot cocoa.
The blanket
started to slip off my lap so I tugged it up to make sure it didn’t fall to the
floor of the sleigh.
Caleb glanced my
way, “Are you cold Maggie?”
How could I be
cold with Caleb, the man of my dreams and fantasies sitting beside me? I had
wanted this man since high school, when he was the popular, hot guy that was so
nice to everyone. Including a skinny, scrawny girl with braces and glasses. Me.
“No, I’m actually quite warm. The night doesn’t feel that cold and between my
thick leggings, sweater, wrap and the blanket I am toasty warm.”
“Good, I didn’t
want you to get cold. After living in Texas for the past couple years I bet you
aren’t used to the cold, Michigan winters anymore. I was afraid you’d be
freezing by now.”
Caleb was always
so wonderful. He was the kind of guy that was always concerned about people. We
had been pretty good friends. He was so sweet he even took me to our senior
prom seven years ago. I was sure he’d just done it to be nice because he felt
sorry for me since no one else had asked me to be their date. Now I wasn’t so
sure that he had taken me to the prom just to be nice. Maybe he had real
feelings for me. The kind of feelings I have for him.
This was only
the second time I had seen him since I left to go to college in Texas right
after graduation but I had never stopped thinking about him.
It seemed that
he never stopped thinking about me either. He sent me letters, cards and emails
from time to time always asking when I was coming home. This was the first year
I had replied telling him that I’d be home for Christmas. Usually my mom flew
out to Texas to spend the holidays with me there. This year though my mother
had finally met someone special and she wanted to spend the holidays with
him…and me. Honestly I was glad. I had really begun to miss Michigan lately,
especially at Christmas. There was nothing like a snow covered Christmas.
“No matter how
long I stay in Texas I’ll always be a cold blooded Michigan girl.”
His smile
twinkled as bright as the snow, “Glad to hear that.”
“You know Caleb
this was awfully nice of you to invite me on this sleigh ride. The drive
through town seeing all the Christmas displays and lights was fun and then
here, in the woods…it is so still, so quiet and so utterly beautiful. It is a
dream come true.”
“Maggie, I
remembered that last Christmas we spent together before graduation and how you
would always talk about wanting an old fashioned Christmas with sleigh rides
and hot cocoa and even ice skating. I have always wanted to give that to you.
I’ve had old Drew here,” he motioned to the horse, “and this sleigh for five
years now hoping you’d come home for the holidays so I could give you the
Christmas sleigh ride you’ve always dreamed of.”
“Really? Caleb,
I had no idea. But why?”
“Why? Maggie
isn’t it obvious? I love you; I’ve been in love with you since middle school.
I’ve tried to put you out of my head, I’ve tried dating other people but it’s
you. You are the one that’s always had that special place in my heart.”
My eyes welled
up with tears as his words rang true. My heart swelled telling me I felt the
same way. All this time I hadn’t let myself believe in my feelings because I
feared rejection.
Caleb pulled the
sleigh off the trail and into a small clearing.
“Maggie would
you consider coming home?”
“Caleb, I am
home,” I said as I threw my arms around his neck.
“Really? To
stay? With me?” he mumbled into my neck.
“Yes, with you,
for as long as you’ll have me,” I cried.
“I hope forever
isn’t too long for you,” Caleb said with a smile as he pulled away from my tear
soaked embrace to look into my eyes.
“Forever sounds
just about right.”
Fangs
for the Holidays
A
Vehicle City Vampires
Short
Story
Roxanne
Rhoads
Genre: Holiday erotica, short
story
Publisher: Bewitching Books
Cover Artist: Ari Napolitano
Book Description:
After spending the day baking
holiday goodies Anwyn drops by her vampire boyfriend Galen's home so they can
spend some quality time together.
He is surprisingly enticed by the
smell of baked goods on Anwyn's skin which leads them to a drama filled
discussion about family holiday gatherings, the other man in her life...and
eventually to very hot holiday sex.
The
events in this story take place between book one, Hex and the Single Witch, and
book two, Hex and the City.
About the Author:
Story strumpet, tome loving tart,
eccentric night owl...these words describe book publicist and erotic romance
author Roxanne Rhoads.
When not fulfilling one the many
roles being a wife and mother of three require, Roxanne's world revolves around
words...reading them, writing them, and talking about them.
In addition to writing her own
stories she loves to read, promote and review what others write. She owns Bewitching
Book Tours and operates a book review blog, Fang-tastic Books.
When not doing book things
Roxanne loves to hang out with her family, craft, garden and search for unique
vintage finds.
Author Website http://www.roxannerhoads.com
Bewitching Book Tours www.bewitchingbooktours.com
Twitter @RoxanneRhoads
This book sounds fantastic.
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