Christmas Escape

Chapter Fifteen

Micah

Joseph, Peyton’s father was intimidating. The way he glared at me I wasn’t sure if he was going to punch me or hug me. It’d filled my gut with nerves. His warning was completely expected. I would’ve reacted the same way.

“Something smells delicious in here,” Lana said as she bustled in through the back door with arm loads of bread.

“Breakfast,” I answered taking the bread out of her arms. “Did you want some?”

Lana shook her head as she stole a piece of crispy bacon off the plate on the bench and slipped it into her mouth. “No, I’ve got to get back. I’m just doing a quick lot of deliveries then I’m starting on my own Christmas lunch.”

I thanked her and laughed as she stole another piece of bacon before slipping out the back door with a wave over her shoulder. Rolling my eyes, I quickly fried up some extra bacon to replace the stolen pieces. I could hear people starting to file into the dining room.

Peyton was happily greeting people and introducing her parents to our visitors. She had fit in so well here. People seemed to love her. And she had a way with people. She smiled and chatted happily. Certainly, nothing like that scared girl that first came here that couldn’t even make eye contact. She had only been here for almost two weeks and her personality had changed so much.

I picked up the plates of bacon and eggs and pushed through the kitchen door. Camilla and George were sitting at the table with Peyton’s parents Joseph and Arabella. There were a couple of other visitors sitting at other tables chatting with each other. The atmosphere was warm and festive. Everyone wore a smile on their faces. For the first time in a long time, it was a Christmas that I wasn’t just going through the paces, but I was truly going to enjoy it.

“Merry Christmas everyone,” I called as I started to place plates down in front of our guests.

A chorus of Merry Christmas was returned to me. Peyton followed me back into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of plates and balanced them on her arms, before turning towards the dining room and sitting them down in front of people with a smile.

Once everyone had a plate of food, I took my seat at Peyton’s side. “So, Joseph and Arabella, what do you think of our young Micah here?” George asked with a smile in his voice.

I groaned and wanted to sink under the table. “I would like him a lot better if he wasn’t kissing my daughter,” Joseph growled, causing George to bark out a laugh.

“Well, if Peyton was to date any man, Micah would be on the top of my list,” George replied glancing over at me. “He is like a son to me. From the day that our Lucy came here. We might not have Lucy in our lives anymore, but I couldn’t imagine a Christmas without Micah.”

Camilla nodded her head and sniffed, dabbing at her eyes. Arabella reached over the table took Camilla’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “Your daughter came here like Peyton did to?” Arabella asked.

Camilla nodded again and wiped at her eyes. “Yes. But unlike Peyton, she went back to her ex-husband. Unfortunately, it was the worst decision she could have made.”

“Oh god, I’m so sorry,” Arabella said as her own eyes welled with tears.

Camilla squeezed Arabella’s hand. “It’s why we come here every Christmas. It hurts to spend it alone, knowing our daughter isn’t around anymore. So, we come here and spend it with Micah. He has always made us feel at home.” Camilla looked over at Joseph. “I can guarantee that Peyton is very safe with this young man. And if Peyton turned his head, then I know that she is one incredibly special young lady. Many women have tried over the years, but none have ever succeeded. But the minute I saw you Peyton, I knew that you were the one. Plus, Bessy loves you.”

“Bessy?” Camilla asked with a look of confusion on her face.

“The house,” Peyton replied with a laugh. “She is a living breathing house.” As if in reply to Peyton’s statement the pipes groaned, causing the whole table to erupt into laughter.

“Well, son, it seems you come with some high recommendations,” Joseph began. “It is going to take a long time for me to trust that any man is going to treat my daughter right, after that asshole. But I’m willing to give you a shot.”

Joseph reached out his hand to shake. This time his grip wasn’t bone crushing and threatening but one that said welcome to the family. I smiled at him and nodded my head. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. I promise to treat your daughter like the queen she is.”

“That’s all I can ask,” Joseph replied before tucking back into his breakfast.

Before long we were all filling up on breakfast and chatting about Christmas’s past. The atmosphere was relaxed, and laughter flowed. This really was going to be a Christmas to remember.