Colton pressed his lips to her throat. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“The tour doesn’t start until March.”
“I’m already dreading it.” The label had loved the new music he’d cowritten with J. T. The album had been released just a week ago, and the first single had instantly hit number one. That meant a stadium tour. He’d missed performing, but the thought of only seeing Gretchen a few times every month was torture.
The sound of giggling in the hallway outside brought a laugh from her and a groan from him. He’d hoped they’d have another hour or so to celebrate privately before his nieces and nephews awoke to see what Santa Claus brought in the night. But it was Gretchen who shooed him out of bed.
“Come on,” she coaxed. “We don’t want to miss the kids opening their stockings.”
She was almost as giddy as they were.
What a difference a year made.
They were the last to go downstairs. The aroma of cinnamon rolls drew them to the kitchen, where his mother had likely been awake for an hour or more.
His brother snorted when they walked in. “Look who finally woke up.”
“Oh, we’ve been awake for a while,” Gretchen said, grinning. Colton winked at her and then found his mother watching them both with an emotional smile.
“Let me see the ring again,” she said, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
As his mother fussed over Gretchen, Colton leaned against the counter and stifled a yawn behind his hand. His brother handed him a cup of coffee and matched his pose.
“Been awake for a while, huh?” Cooper teased.
“Mind your own business.”
Cooper huffed out a laugh over his mug.
“Hey,” his sister called from the other room. “If you guys don’t hurry up, my kids are going to go feral.”
Gretchen walked toward him. Colton set down his mug and opened his arms for her. She snuggled against his chest and sighed. “Merry Christmas,” she said.
Colton kissed her head, his throat too thick for words.
In all his life, he’d never known a moment as perfect as this.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Every time I finish a book, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to do this for a living and even more so that I have such a strong support network of people who make it possible. So, as always, I must first thank my family. I truly could not do this without my parents, my husband, and my daughter.
Writing a book set in the world of country music required a great deal of research. So special thanks to Lauren Laffer, staff writer at SoundsLikeNashville.com, and to Richard Cohen of Mick Artist Management, for walking me through the business and creative side of the music industry. You both spent a gracious amount of time answering my questions, and I am grateful for your expertise. On a similar note, I want to give a big shout-out to the city of Clarksville, TN, which hosts a real Christmas on the Cumberland festival!
To my VIP reader Erin Harlow: Thank you for coming up with the name Carraig Aonair for the Winthrop whiskey company. It was a perfect fit in so many ways! Thank you for being part of my reading community!
Major thanks to my writing friends—Meika Usher, Christina Mitchell, Alyssa Alexander, Victoria Solomon, Kelly Ohlert, Tamara Lush, Thien-Kim Lam, Erin King, Elizabeth Cole, G.G. Andrews, Deborah Wilde, Jennifer Seay, Amanda Gale, and Jessica Arden. I am grateful that our writing pursuits brought us together. I can’t imagine navigating this industry without your humor and support.
Finally, thank you to my agent, Tara Gelsomino, and my editor, Kristine Swartz. Both of you have helped me become a better writer with your patience, understanding, creativity, and enthusiasm.