Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 61

*Shelby*

“I hope you packed for the snow,” Michael said as he pulled me into a hug.

Lucille followed down the stairs behind me, pulling her fur wrap tight around her shoulders.

“I can’t believe we actually get to spend Christmas here again,” Lucille said, smiling wide.

Michael gave her a quick k**s on the cheek and held the door for us to get into the back of the car waiting there for us. He slid in after us and closed the door, cutting off the cold wind from turning the tips of our noses pink.

The snow was so cold, it crackled under the tires as we pulled down a long driveway lined on each side by pine trees. We turned the corner, and a massive mansion built to resemble a log cabin sat nestled in between the snow-laden trees. Snow covered the roof, and each window was illuminated with warm glowing light, inviting us all to come inside.

“Oh, good. It looks like Bruce already arrived and lit all of the fires for us. The cabin hasn’t been used in a while, so I bet it took some warming up.”

“How sweet of him,” Lucille commented.

“I hope that you two don’t mind, but I invited Bruce to bring his wife along. It didn’t seem right to separate the two for Christmas. They’re staying in the west wing, so we won’t interrupt their festivities,” Michael explained.

My heart warmed at Michael’s thoughtfulness.

Michael opened the car door as we pulled up to the stone steps leading up to a wrap-around porch that spanned at least a football field. The porch was tastefully decorated with log deck chairs and porch swings; each one looked as though it had been dusted with powdered sugar. I could only imagine how beautiful the mountain views must be sitting on the porch in the summer months.

We walked in through the front doors, and the first thing I noticed was the large stone fireplace framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. The heat from the fire filled the room, helping to thaw us out, after the walk from the car.

“Which would you like to see first? The rest of the cabin or the grounds?” Michael asked me.

I looked out the window, figuring we only had a few more hours of light left.

“The grounds,” I answered.

“Lucille, would you like to help me give Shelby the grand tour?” Michael asked his cousin.

“You two go on without me. I am going to get settled, then look for Grandma’s Christmas decorations. You two replace a nice tree while you are out, and we will decorate it together when you get back.”

Pulling my hat down over my ears as we headed back out into the cold, I followed in Michael’s footprints through the ankle-deep snow. It was so beautiful that I didn’t mind the cold.

“We won’t go far. There are some great trees at the end of the meadow. When we get there, you can pick out the perfect Christmas tree,” Michael said, turning to smile at me.

We walked in silence as I tried to absorb all of the mountain views around me. It was so quiet that I noticed the small squeak the snow made as I stepped into Michael’s tracks.

“Here we are,” he said, setting down the ax he was carrying over his shoulder that a member of the staff had brought out to us before we left..

I stood there looking at the line of trees, imagining how each one would look standing in the middle of the cabin’s living room.

“How about that one?” I pointed at one of the smaller trees whose branches were full and deep green.

“Really? But that one is barely taller than you,” Michael said with a laugh. “What about one of those bigger ones?”

“Fine, that one then,” I said, pointing at one of the tallest trees. It really would be impressive in the living room, decorated with lights.

“That’s more like it,” Michael said, the smile spreading across his face.

“Just remember that you have to drag it all the way back,” I said, laughing as Michael’s smile dropped.

“I forgot about that part; maybe we should go with your first choice.”

“Nope, my heart is set on this one now,” I said, still chuckling.

Michael picked up the ax and started cutting the trunk of the larger tree I’d picked out. I stood and watched, taking in every drop of sweat that dripped down his forehead. I was used to a suit-wearing Michael, but I could definitely get used to watching him use his whole body.

“Don’t worry, I got it,” Michael said, pausing to take a break, panting hard.

“I don’t mind the view,” I said with a shrug and a grin.

Michael winked at me and then took his last swing, and the tree fell sideways, leaving a pile of loose needles across the clean patch of snow. Michael tied a rope to the trunk and began dragging the tree back toward the cabin.

“Let me help,” I said, not letting him protest as I grabbed the rope.

We only made it halfway before we had to stop to take a break.

“See, you should have listened to me when I picked the smaller tree,” I said with a teasing smile.

“It will be worth it for the look on your face after we light the tree,” Michael said, kissing me softly. It had only been a few days we had spent apart, but I had missed the feel of his k****s.

“It looked like you two could use some help,” Bruce called out to us. He was jogging toward us down the path we’d made on our way out into the meadow.

“Your timing couldn’t be better, Bruce,” Michael laughed. “Shelby had to have the biggest tree out there.”

“Don’t listen to him, Bruce. He’s the one who talked me out of the little tree,” I called after them. They had each taken an end of the rope and were making a lot more progress together.

We made it back to the cabin just as the sun started sinking behind the mountain.

“We’ll work on getting this tree inside. Why don’t you head inside to get warm?” Michael said, gesturing to the fire glowing inside the cabin.

“Alright, I’ll go see if Lucille needs any help replaceing those decorations,” I said.

Michael gave me another quick k**s, and I headed inside. I turned to ask Michael where I could replace Lucille when I noticed Michael and Bruce huddled close together, having a whispered conversation. I could sense the seriousness of the topic from the look on their faces.

I turned and quickly made my way inside, anxiety flooding over me.

Lucille was sitting in a large oxblood chair situated in front of the fire. She had a box of ornaments on her lap and was looking at each delicate piece carefully. I took a seat in the chair’s pair and slipped off my hat and mittens.

“You look just about frozen,” Lucille said.

“I feel just about frozen,” I responded with a small chuckle.

I tried my best to push my anxiety down. I had no idea what Michael and Bruce were talking about. It could have been about work, so I shouldn’t worry. However, I had a sinking feeling that Michael was hiding something really important from me.

“Would you like something to drink to help you warm up?” Lucille asked, staring at me.

“That would be amazing,” I said, hoping that I could get control of my worry before Lucille noticed.

She set the box of ornaments down on the end table before she stood up and walked in the direction of what I guessed was the kitchen. A few minutes later, she came back with a wine bottle and two glasses in hand.

“This might not be exactly what you had in mind, but I don’t care much for hot chocolate,” Lucille said, cracking a small smile as she popped the cork off the bottle.

“Wine works for me,” I said with a laugh. I silently thanked her as the wine was sure to help me calm my nerves.

Lucille poured us each a healthy glass full and took her place back in front of the fire. I sipped on the wine while I took in more of the details of the cabin. The vaulted ceilings were accented by wooden beams and a large chandelier hanging in the middle of the room. A spiral staircase sat situated at one end, and the kitchen was tucked under the overhang of the second floor.

“I see that you found the Christmas decorations,” I said, gesturing to the box.

“I did. They were my grandmother’s. I was just looking at some of the ornaments. They were bringing me back to when I was a child, and she would let me help her decorate the tree with her. She would help me hang each one, so we could get it in the perfect spot. Decorating the Christmas tree was her favorite part of the holiday.”

“That is such a sweet memory,” I said, and Lucille passed me the box of ornaments.

Each one was set in its own divider wrapped in tissue paper. I pulled out a delicate-looking glass pear ornament, and let it spin on its red velvet ribbon.

“She had great taste,” I said, admiring the other ornaments.

“She really did. I have tried my best to emulate her style in many ways. It makes me feel close to her,” Lucille admitted.

“I am sure that would mean a lot to your grandmother. It sounds like you two were very close.”

“We were,” Lucille said with a smile. “Are you close with any of your grandparents?”

“I am. My grandpa raised me after I lost both my parents in a car accident. He is the most important person in the world to me.”

“Oh, Shelby, I had no idea about your parents. I’m so sorry. I’m very glad you have your grandpa, and that you two have a good relationship.”

“I am too. I’m very grateful that I have him. He doesn’t leave the house much anymore, but one day, I hope I get to introduce him to Michael.”

We were quiet for a bit before Lucille broke the silence.

“I’m sorry this conversation turned so heavy. I’ve just been reminiscing about old times. One thing I am sure of though, is that our grandma would have liked you very much.”

I smiled at the thought and handed the box of ornaments back to her, which she cradled in her lap.

“I’m glad I was able to replace all of the decorations. The last time we were here for Christmas, everything got put away in such a rush, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to replace it all again,” Lucille said.

“What happened the last time you were here?” I asked.

“Lauren and Marmie happened.”