I laugh, and some of the tension melts away like snow in sunshine. “Not a mistake. Just ...”
“Brady?” he asks as if taking a guess.
I nod. “And because of my career and because we barely know each other anymore and—” I pause, because that’s not quite right.
His eyebrows crimp together and his shoulders dip slightly.
I wave my hand, not liking the way this is coming out. “Can I start over?”
He exhales with relief, maybe. “Of course.”
“It feels like I know you better after one day than I know most people I’ve worked with for years, but?—”
He leans in, letting me finish.
“But I just shared all the reasons I’m uncertain. There are a lot of things?—”
He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “To figure out.”
His callused fingers grip mine. Hands that are used to doing things, figuring things out, solving problems … wiping frosting from my cheek, a hair from my face, trailing down my spine.
Suddenly flushed, I nod, thankful he understands.
Reese adds, “We’ll figure things out together.”
That was exactly what I needed to hear. Wanted to hear.
My fingers lace through his, and warmth blooms in my chest. The kind that reminds me that this is a season of hope.
We spend Christmas morning doing all the things Noella has planned—sledding down the hill behind the lodge, coming back rosy-cheeked and laughing to find a bonfire blazing. Toasting marshmallows and sipping hot cider. Inside, we play charades, which I dominate. Reese discovers I do a frighteningly accurate impression of a penguin, which sends him into fits of laughter.
By late afternoon, we’re curled up by the fire near the big tree, the lights casting everything in a soft glow. I’m tucked against Reese’s side, and even though we haven’t exchanged gifts, this feels like the biggest one I didn’t know to put on my list for Santa. Pookie is in pug heaven, belly full with thanks to some bacon scraps, and lounging by the fire. After all, this is the season of giving.
I abruptly sit up. “Wait. I have something for you.”
I scurry to the room and return with a small wrapped package. “I got this yesterday at the gift shop.”
Reese raises his eyebrows. “Thank you.”
“Go ahead, open it.”
He unwraps it carefully, and when he sees the ceramic mug with a painted winter scene, his smile grows.
“It’s so we’ll never forget our first cup of cocoa because that’s what started this—” I explain while waving vaguely. “I got myself a matching one.”
“Becca, this is perfect.” He pulls out a small box from his pocket, wrapped with a red ribbon. “I got you something too.”
He must’ve bought this while I was agonizing over which pajamas to buy Pookie. My hands shake slightly as I open it. Inside is a delicate silver necklace with a snowflake pendant.
“It’s to remember your Christmas here and the quiet life you said you wanted. The one with snow and small towns and?—”
My heart suddenly overflows. I kiss him before he can finish, soft and sweet, because words aren’t enough for what I’m feeling.
When I pull back, my eyes are misty. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
He fastens it around my neck, his fingers lingering on my skin, and I shiver for reasons that have nothing to do with temperature because I’m warm inside and out.
Spinning on my toes to face him, I touch the snowflake and ask, “If you could do anything for someone this Christmas, like be an anonymous Secret Santa, what would you do?”
