“Season’s greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Prescott,” the flight attendant greeted them with a dazzling smile.

Allyson returned her smile. “And Happy Holidays to you.”

The flight attendant led them to their seats, and Allyson sat back in the plush leather seat with a deep sigh. They were in the air in no time, finally cruising toward New York City.

It didn’t matter how many times Allyson flew on their private jet, she knew she would never get used to all the luxury. The jet came complete with a conference table for dining and meetings, a bedroom and bathroom, comfortable seats with plenty of leg room, and two flat screen televisions.

The décor was fabulous; everything was brown, cream, beige, and gold. It was more like a mini hotel than an airplane. First-class on a commercial jet was nothing compared to this.

“How did the meeting with the town officials go?” she asked. Now that they were in the air, their time enjoying each other’s company was going to have to come to an end for a little while. She had to focus on work despite the holidays. Prescott wasn’t going to slow down just because they were getting a few days off.

Dane was sitting across from her, reading the newspaper. Probably checking the business section first, if she knew her husband. “It went really well,” he replied. “Sales were even better than expected. In fact, sales were so good that I think we can start refurbishing our Colorado factory ahead of schedule.”

“Oh, Dane, that’s wonderful!”

He nodded. “We’re going to be bringing some more jobs to the region.”

“Excellent,” she said. “When do you think we can start refurbishing?”

“We’ll have to discuss the details with the board, but I really think we can start early next year,” he said. “Orders for products in the women’s line have been incredible. You’ve done a terrific job with everything.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said with a smile.

“Well, I guess we couldn’t have done it without each other,” he said. “I’m so proud of you.”

She blushed. No matter how chaotic things got, she knew she could always count on Dane to support her. For years, her family had believed that she was a failure. Not living up to their sky-high expectations. Her parents were professors at prestigious institutions after all, so it made sense for them to want their children to excel. But she had never gotten real support from her family. Nobody had cheered her on. Nobody told her they were proud of her.

But Dane had been proud of her no matter where she was in life. He had appreciated her when she worked as his assistant. And now, despite the fact that she was still taking university courses online and learning on the job, he believed in her. Was proud of her.

Suddenly, she felt tears form.

Dane leaned forward, concern on his face. “Allyson? Are you okay?”

She nodded, quickly brushing the tears away. “It just feels so good to have someone root for me for a change. My family never did.”

“It’s a damn shame they don’t see how great you are,” he said. “You started an entire division, and in less than a year you’ve made it successful.”

“They think if I’ve accomplished anything it’s because I married a rich man,” she said. “My brother and my sister started their successful careers before they got married. In their eyes, all my accomplishments are because I got lucky.”

“There’s no way you could have had such a successful launch at the sports show without your own talent, drive, and intelligence,” he said. “Just because they’re not smart enough to see how amazing you are doesn’t mean that you aren’t amazing, Allyson. Some things are true even if people don’t believe them.”

She let out a shuddering sigh. “Honestly, I’m really nervous about how Christmas is going to go. We’ve had joint family gatherings before, but nothing is like Christmas.”

“Has that been stressing you out?” he asked.

“A little,” she admitted.

“It’s okay to need a break. Or to tell me if you’re stressed,” he said. “You try so hard to be perfect and make it all look effortless, when you don’t have to do that. Sometimes you put a hell of a lot more pressure on yourself than anybody else does.”

Her husband was probably right about needing a break now and then, but there was nothing wrong with hard work. “Your mother expects things to be a certain way,” she reminded him.

“Nothing will ever be good enough for her,” he said. “That’s simply the way she is. You don’t have to work yourself to death for her approval. You’ve been doing so much to please your parents and my mother. When are they going to try to please you for a change?”

“Their presence during Christmas is enough to please me,” she replied.

Dane scoffed. “You’re too good for them. For all of them. They don’t deserve you.”

Allyson wanted to believe her husband’s words. Believe and accept them. But Dane had an obvious bias. He always supported her. Always believed in her. Even when he was stubbornly trying to protect her, he did it not because he didn’t think she was up to a challenge, but because he valued her so much.

Being cherished like this was so new to her. She was trying to accept it, but was still getting used to it. Still, if she had learned anything this year, it was that she wasn’t going to be afraid of her newfound happiness.

Not even when she was keeping a secret that would change everything.

~~*~~

SHE WAS TEXTING SOMEONE. As her fingers typed out the message on her phone, a blush crept up her cheeks.

The change on her face was subtle, something only Dane would notice. Who on earth was she texting that made her blush like that?

“Are you texting Cameron?” he asked, keeping his voice even so he wouldn’t give his annoyance away.

Her hands started shaking, and she nearly dropped the phone. “Yes. How—how did you know?”

“Lucky guess,” he muttered.

“I was just messaging him back since he sent a text to let me know he got to California safely,” she said.

He glanced out the window. The sun was setting, a reflection of its red and gold rays bouncing off a wing of the plane. They would be in New York soon. But the thought of spending Christmas with a bunch of people while his wife pulled further and further away didn’t appeal to him.

“I also sent a message to your mom,” she continued quickly. “She wanted to know if she should send something to Nicholas Handel. Guess she had the same thought I did.”

“Great minds,” he said blandly.

“Anyway, I told her that it was probably best not to.”

He glanced back at her and raised an eyebrow. “You changed your mind?”

“Yes. I mean, you were right. Sending Nicholas and Francesca a card for Christmas was kind of a ridiculous idea,” she said. “And I don’t think sending a card to either of them would go over well. They’d probably think we were trying to rub their misfortune in their faces. I’m guessing they resent us enough as it is.”

“That’s the right call,” he said. “Wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea.”

Her lips pursed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means we don’t always know people’s motives,” he said flatly. “We think we know a person, but maybe we really don’t.”

She flinched. “What’s wrong, Dane?”

“Nothing.” Getting into another argument about Cameron wasn’t going to change anything. The unease about the guy was all his, and somehow he was going to have to get over it. “Haven’t gotten into the Christmas spirit yet.”

“You will. Just wait until we’re surrounded by all our friends and family.” Allyson reached for the fizzy drink on the table between them and took a sip. The frosty glass had been decorated with metallic wrapping paper and the drink topped off with a candy cane garnish. Exactly the kind of thing his wife would order and appreciate.

Watching her look over the glass with a smile on her face made some of his annoyance disappear. Here they were, on a luxury private jet, and the thing that had caught his wife’s eye was a decorated cup and candy cane. With Allyson, it really was the simple things. Maybe that’s what they needed to get back in sync. Some simplicity. If only he knew how to make their complicated lives less complicated. 

“Your mother says she’s gotten you a gift you’re going to love,” she said. “Maybe that will lift your spirits.”

He gave her an incredulous look. “Don’t you think I’m a little too old to be getting excited about Christmas presents from my mom?”

“Gosh, it didn’t even occur to me, but you must have been impossible to shop for,” she said.

“Why?”

“You must have had everything as a child.”

“I did not have everything,” he said defensively.

“Oh yeah? What kind of presents did you used to get?”

Memories of past holidays flitted through his mind. “Nothing that unusual. Action figures. A television. I think one year I got a polo mallet.”

She threw back her head and laughed. “A polo mallet? What kind of present is that for a child?”

“I was fifteen,” he said. “I’ll have you know that I was a damn good polo player. I needed that mallet. I also got a horse the year before.”

She stared at him, eyes wide. “You’re actually serious.”

He nodded. “Oh, for my eighteenth birthday my parents bought me some shares in a local sports team. And an ice rink.”

“That’s crazy.”

Holding up his hands, he admitted, “Okay, maybe my childhood wasn’t exactly normal. What did you get?”

“Doll houses, stuffed animals. I think one year I got a chemistry set,” she replied. “But those presents were from Santa, not my parents.”

“I never got presents from Santa.”

An amused expression flashed on her face. “Why? Were you a badly-behaved boy?”

“Oh no, I was actually a pretty well-behaved kid, considering what a brat I could have been,” he said. “I just mean that I never believed in Santa as a kid.”

“You’re joking!” She was staring at him like he had just sprouted horns. “Why didn’t you believe in Santa?”

H shrugged. “My mother told me that it was all a bunch of nonsense.”

“Dane, promise me you won’t do that to our kids,” she pleaded.

“You want me to lie to our kids?” he asked.

“I want you to give them a sense of wonder,” she replied. “Teach them to have an imagination. Besides, it’s possible that Santa is real. You said it yourself: some things are true even if people don’t believe in them.”

He let out an exaggerated groan. “Trapped by my own words.”

“Promise me,” she begged again, sounding positively horrified that she even had to ask.

Placing a hand on his heart and raising the other, he said solemnly, “I promise not to tell our kids that Santa isn’t real.”

“You had better warn your mother, too,” she said. “I don’t want her ruining Christmas for her grandchildren.”

“Oh, so you finally found something to criticize her about.” He chuckled.

“Promise me, Dane,” she said sharply.

Hand on heart again, he said, “I solemnly swear to make sure my mother never tells our children that Santa isn’t real.”

“Right, because that isn’t true or accurate,” she said. “Santa is real.”

He stared at her. She was dead serious. The look on her face made him laugh. “Allyson, what am I going to do with you?”

“You’re going to love me and cherish me forever and ever.” A sudden, delighted laugh escaped her. It was such a beautiful sound. High and clear and pure. Like she was laughing from her soul. He had missed that sound terribly.

They talked for a little while longer until Allyson began yawning.

“Why don’t you go take a nap?” he suggested.

“I am kind of tired. Been a busy week.” She yawned again. “Are you sure?”

“Of course, I’m sure,” he said. “You deserve to rest. I’ll wake you up before we land.”

She got to her feet and approached him to give him a quick kiss. “Goodnight, Dane.”

“Goodnight,” he said as she slipped away to the bedroom. “Sleep well.”

He focused his attention on reading the newspaper, making sure to go over the business section carefully. When he finally set the newspaper down, he heard the captain’s voice over the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Prescott... this is your captain speaking...” The captain’s voice trailed off. Then the captain said the words Dane had never wanted to hear. “We seem to have a bit of a problem.”