by Elena Aitken
“Ssh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “I understand,” he said slowly. “But now I need you to understand something, okay?” She nodded and he took his finger away. “You didn’t need to do this. You absolutely did not need to make a grand gesture, Amber. Not for me. That’s fiction and this is…” He gestured between them. “This is real. I don’t need all this to know how you feel.”
“But, I—”
“No buts, Amber. You told me you love me. Is that true?”
She didn’t hesitate a second. “Yes. Without a doubt.”
“And I love you. That’s all I’ll ever really need.” He kissed her then and all further discussion of Taking the Reins Treatment Center, or grand gestures, were forgotten, because all there was was the two of them.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Auntie Amber!” The moment Logan and Amber walked through the front door of Drew’s house the next morning, Austin came flying down the hall and into Amber’s waiting arms while Logan side-stepped out of the way.
“Merry Christmas, buddy. Did Santa come?”
The boy wiggled out of her grip and started jumping up and down in front of her. “Did he ever! Come see.” He grabbed Amber’s hand and led her down the hall into the living room, leaving Logan to trail behind.
The scene in the living room was one of chaos, with piles of wrapping paper on the floor with toys scattered throughout.
“Merry Christmas, Logan.” Drew greeted him with a hug. “I may have gone a little overboard,” she said with an apologetic smile.
“Not at all.” Ben joined them from the kitchen. “He needed to be spoiled this year. It’s all good.” He handed Logan a cup of coffee. “Merry Christmas, Logan.”
“Merry Christmas,” Logan said with a toast of his cup. “I know it’s a hard one for you guys…” He trailed off, not wanting to make Drew sadder than she already might be.
“It’s okay.” Drew smiled. “It’s always going to be hard, but seeing Austin so happy and…well, honestly you guys all really help too. It’s been rough. But it’s going to be okay.” A tear slipped down her cheek then, but she didn’t wipe it away. “Eric would have loved all this,” she said. “We should have come home more.”
Ben slipped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “Don’t do that, Drew. You can’t change things now.”
Logan watched while she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she was smiling. “Enough tears,” she announced. “It’s Christmas.” She turned to find Amber, who was sitting on the floor, playing with cars of some kind. “Amber, do you need a coffee?”
“Do I ever! This kid is exhausting.”
Twenty minutes later, Amber had managed to extract herself from the toys and convince Austin to have some of his mother’s delicious Christmas waffles. Which he ate as fast as possible before returning to his new toys, leaving the adults alone at the table.
“This is delicious, Drew,” Amber said. “I am so glad you’re cooking again. Lord knows how we survived on my food.”
“It wasn’t so bad.” Drew was lying and they all knew it. “Well, some of it was pretty good.”
“Like the cereal and milk?” Amber laughed. “I got pretty good at that. But cooking is definitely not my specialty.”
“You have other strengths.” Logan put his hand over hers and Drew groaned.
“Seriously? You two are way too sweet.” She rolled her eyes. “But I love it. It’s crazy seeing you with someone, Amber. And I mean that in the best way.”
“I know exactly how you meant it,” she said. “And I totally agree.” She glanced at Logan out of the corner of her eye. She never would have thought she’d be sitting here like this with a man she was totally and completely in love with. “You know what else is crazy?”
Logan looked at her sideways. “I might be scared to ask, but what?”
“I decided to take everyone’s advice,” she announced. “I’m opening a law practice in Timber Creek.” Saying it out loud made it feel real, but instead of being scared, she was excited. “I didn’t have a chance to tell you yet,” she said to Logan. “But I decided just last week. Along with everything else, I guess I just thought…well, maybe I really can have that second chance you were talking about, Drew.”
“First of all,” Logan said. “I think that’s fantastic news. You’ll be the best lawyer in town and I think you can really help a lot of people.”
“I agree,” Drew chimed in.
“And second,” Logan continued. “You didn’t ever need a second chance with me, Amber.”
She nodded. “I know that now. But that’s not really what I meant.” Amber had no idea whether how she felt would translate into words, but she wanted to try. She took a breath. “Before coming back to Timber Creek, I felt broken, as if I’d wasted my life and made choices that would forever define who I was. I was stuck and I never thought it was possible that I could have anything else.” She turned to look at Logan. “But then I met you, and your horses and…something changed. I started to believe that I could have something else. That I could have a second chance to live my life the way I really wanted to and not the way I’d told myself I wanted to. A second chance to write the story. Does that make sense?”
She was looking at Logan as she spoke, but it was Ben who responded first. “I think it makes perfect sense.”
“So do I,” Logan said. “And I for one am glad you came back home, even more pleased that you opened your mind enough to the horses…and to me.”
Amber laughed. “That one took a little more convincing.”
Across the table, Drew stood abruptly, her chair pushing back roughly against the tile floor. She picked up a stack of dishes and moved to the sink.
Amber exchanged a look with Ben that she hoped conveyed the need she had to talk to her friend alone.
Ben, thankfully, got the hint and nodded to Logan. “Why don’t we let the ladies clear up in here and we can take the living room mess?”
She waited for the men to make their exit before picking up a stack of plates and joining Drew at the sink. “You okay, sweetie?”
She didn’t answer, but shook her head.
“I wish I knew what to say.” Amber wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulders and steered her away from the sink and in for a hug, but Drew shook her head and stepped away from the embrace.
“No,” she said. “It’s fine. I’m just having a moment.”
“Of course you are. It’s Christmas. It’s—”
“So hard,” Drew finished the sentence. “I never thought it would be this hard, Amber. This morning when Austin was opening his presents from Santa, ripping the paper off and throwing it in the air, all I could think of was that Eric would never be there for a Christmas morning ever again.” Drew shook her head. “And do you know that last night, after Ben helped me bring Austin home and tuck him into bed, he offered to help with all that? With all the Santa stuff so I didn’t have to do it alone.”
“Oh, Drew. I should have been—”
“No.” She shook her head. “I made him leave. I wanted—no, I needed—to be alone. I poured myself a big glass of wine and I did it all myself.” She shook her head with a sad laugh. “I cried throughout the entire thing,” she said. “But I couldn’t bring myself to let anyone else be Santa. It was bad enough that it had to be me. It was always Eric’s job.” She looked up at Amber, her eyes full of tears. “But he’s gone, Amber. He’s really gone.”
Amber nodded slowly. “Yes,” she said gently. “He is.”
“I think that finally hit me last night.” Drew dabbed at her eyes. “Like, really hit me. I mean, I know he’s gone. But…” She dissolved into tears and instead of reaching for her right away, Amber let her cry for a moment because she knew that’s what Drew needed.
“He’d be so proud of you,” Amber said. “It hasn’t been easy for you, but you’re doing an amazing job, Drew. Today is going to be hard, but then you’ll wake up tomorrow and know that you g
ot through it. And then the next day, and the day after that. And maybe one day—”
“It won’t be so hard anymore,” Drew finished.
Amber nodded. “I really hope that’s true.” She hugged her then and squeezed her friend tight.
“Me too,” Drew mumbled into her shoulder. “Me too.”
Amber was still full from the brunch at Drew’s when they pulled up to her father’s house later that afternoon. She still wasn’t sure she’d be able to eat another bite, but she’d promised her dad they’d have Christmas dinner together. The first one since she’d left home.
Earlier that morning, Logan called to invite his own father over, too, and for the first time since Amber could remember, she was actually looking forward to Christmas dinner.
When they arrived at the house, the smell of roasted turkey greeted them on the porch. Instead of knocking, Amber opened the door and called out, “Merry Christmas. We’re here.”
Her dad appeared, looking younger and brighter. He wore a Santa suit apron and held a spoon in one hand. “Merry Christmas.” He smiled, but she could see the hesitation in his eyes. Their relationship had made leaps and bounds in the last few weeks, but there was still a lifetime of uncertainty and old habits.
Amber made the first move, crossing the space between them and pulling her dad into a tight hug. “It smells fantastic in here, Dad. I didn’t think you were going to make a turkey.”
In fact, as far as Amber could remember, her dad had never cooked a turkey. Their tradition had always been Christmas macaroni and cheese. Nothing special, but Amber came by her cooking skills honestly, and it was the best they could usually come up with.
“You’d be surprised what you can learn on that internet.” Joseph laughed. “Logan.” He waved him out of the door and into the house. “Did you know there’s a video for everything?”
Logan laughed. “I have heard that, yes.” He stuck his hand out. “Merry Christmas, Joseph. Thank you for welcoming us.”
“It’s nothing.” He grumbled, and Amber tried not to laugh at his attempts to downplay the occasion. “Come in already. Your father is here. He brought the potatoes. Look pretty good, too.”
Logan laughed and caught Amber’s eye with a wink. “My father always did make some mean mashed potatoes.”
Amber couldn’t have anticipated that sharing dinner with their fathers would be so enjoyable, but it turned out to be one of the nicest Christmases she could remember. Besides the turkey and stuffing, which her father perfected, Junky’s mashed potatoes, and a bowl of carrots and peas, her father had also cooked a pot of macaroni and cheese. Logan and his father looked confused by the unusual side dish, but Amber had to blink back tears when she saw it.
Junky’s presence brought out a lighter side of her dad, and when the meal was finally served, he started to relax, and actually even laughed a few times. More than once, Amber found herself sitting back and watching the little group and marveling at how this now was her life. These people, her family.
“I got you kids something,” Joseph announced suddenly when the dishes were cleared from the table. “Wait here.”
“Dad,” Amber protested when he returned and handed them each a box. “You didn’t have to get us presents. We haven’t exchanged gifts for—”
“Maybe it’s time for a new tradition,” he interrupted her. “A lot of things have changed—maybe this should too.” Amber smiled, but before she could say anything, her dad said, “Besides, it’s not much. Open them.”
Logan looked at Amber and nodded. Together, they removed the shiny paper he’d wrapped them in and removed the matching lids. Inside Amber’s box was the most beautiful hand turned wooden pen she’d ever seen. It was a deep red wood and had been sanded until it was so smooth it was almost silky. It was stunning.
“Dad…” She lifted the pen from the box. “You made this? It’s…”
“Gorgeous,” Logan finished for her. Amber looked to see him holding an identical pen in his hand. “Joseph, these are outstanding.”
“They’re made with bloodwood,” he said with a nod. “First time I’ve used that wood and I thought…well, I thought maybe you’d both be needing pens with your new businesses.” He grunted, obviously uncomfortable. “So, there you go.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Amber got up from the table and wrapped her arms tightly around him. She held on until he hugged her back and then she just kept on hugging, unwilling to let him go.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The crowd gathered in the Log and Jam for New Year’s Eve was one of the biggest that Timber Heart had ever performed for, maybe the biggest. Either way, the energy in the room was incredible and just like she was during every show, Christy was energized. They’d just finished their first set, and had escaped to the little storage room in the back of the bar that they’d claimed as their dressing room.
“This is great,” she said to Jamie. “Can you believe all the people out there?”
“It’s pretty crazy,” Josh, the drummer, agreed. “What a perfect night to show off some of our new stuff. I’m really glad we decided to change up the set list.”
“Me too.” A few nights ago, at their last rehearsal before the New Year’s performance, Christy had campaigned the guys to add some more of their original songs into the set list. Usually they focused on some popular cover songs that got the crowd going, and only mixed in one or two originals, but more and more Christy couldn’t help but think they were missing a real opportunity to showcase what the band really could do. “I’m glad you all agreed.”
“You’re hard to say no to.” Jamie laughed. “I mean, you have met yourself, haven’t you?”
“You are pretty persistent, Christy.”
She laughed and took it as the compliment it was intended. She knew she could be a bit overbearing when there was something she wanted. But so far, that determination had been paying off and she couldn’t wait to tell the guys just how much it had paid off. But that would have to wait.
“I’ll be right back, okay?” She hopped off the stool she’d been perched on. “I’m just going to go say hi to Mark. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Sounds good,” Jamie said. “But let’s meet back in ten, okay? That’ll give us enough time for a good long set before we ring in the new year.”
“Perfect.” Christy slipped out into the busy bar and headed straight for the table full of her friends.
“There she is.” Mark jumped up and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “You’re amazing tonight, Christy. I mean, you’re amazing every night, but…”
“Thanks, babe.” She took a seat next to him and joined her friends. “Are you guys having a good time?”
“The best.” Cam smiled at her from across the table where she sat with her new husband. “You guys are awesome. I love your new stuff.”
“Me too,” Amber agreed. “It’s great. And the crowd seems to be into it, too. How is it you don’t have a record deal yet?”
Christy laughed and next to her Mark winked, because he knew the secret. “Hopefully soon,” she said. “I can’t stay long, though. We’re going to start our new set soon. I just wanted to come say hi and propose an early toast in case things get crazy later.”
“Sounds good to me.” Drew, who already looked as if she’d had a few drinks, picked up her wine glass.
Christy shot Ben, who’d just arrived with another tray of drinks for the table, a look that she hoped he would pick up on, but ultimately she knew Drew would be okay even if she had a few too many drinks.
“To us.” Christy raised her glass. “May the new year bring us all even more happiness, more adventure, and more opportunities than the year before.”
“To good friends,” Amber said.
“And family,” Ben added. “And friends who feel like family.”
They all toasted, glasses clinking together before Cam let out a loud cheer and they all laughed. All but Drew, who, after draining her glass, was refilling it from the bott
le on the table.
Before Christy slipped away, back to the band, she went to give Drew a hug. “Hey,” she said quiet enough so only her friend could hear. “This year is going to be better.”
“Well, it can’t get any worse,” Drew said, a slight slur to her words.
Before Christy could say anything else, although she didn’t know what it would have been, Ben reached between them and put a glass of water in front of Drew.
With one last kiss for Mark, she rejoined the band in the back room. “Are you guys ready to do this?”
“Absolutely.” Josh tapped his sticks together. “Let’s do—”
“Just one more thing before we go.” Christy stopped them before they could leave. “I have some news.”
“News?” Jamie crossed his arms over his chest and Caleb turned to stare. “Please don’t tell me that you’ve finally had enough of us after all and you’re quitting.”
“Are you kidding?” Christy laughed. “Totally the opposite, actually.” She had to keep from jumping up and down with excitement. “I was going to tell you earlier, but I wanted to wait for the right moment…”
“Just tell us already.”
“Okay, okay.” She rolled her eyes. “Remember those demos I sent off awhile ago with our original stuff?” She didn’t bother waiting for an answer; they all knew what she was talking about. “Well, we got some replies. Two, in fact.”
“Two?” It didn’t sound like a lot, but it was and they all knew it. “From who?”
“Bryce Bengston and Derrick Webb. They’re both agents out of Los Angeles.”
“We know who they are,” Caleb said. “They replied?”
“Not only did they reply,” Christy said. “They want to meet with us in the new year. They’re both very excited about our potential as a band. Isn’t that awesome?”
She looked around the small group while they absorbed the news. It was Jamie who reacted first with a yell, and pretty soon they were all yelling and hugging and celebrating what the new year could mean for Timber Heart.
