Holiday with You

by Claudia Burgoa

  I don’t. I need to win the right to be that person for her.

  She stares at her hands. “Why are you here?”

  “To apologize for coming on too strong the last time we were together.” I sigh. “You’re right. There’s a lot to take into consideration. I never want you to think that my life is more important than yours. You and Perry come before anything else. I just thought that . . .”

  I scrub my face with one hand because I’m losing momentum, and she’s still not looking at me.

  “You mentioned how much you liked Winter Valley, and I thought”—I clear my throat—“it was a way to give you what I believed you wanted. We only had a few days, but being with you felt right. I don’t know you well, but I’ve never felt like that before.”

  Her eyes remain glued to my shoes, and my throat closes.

  “This is a long shot, and I’ve never tried long-distance relationships, but I thought maybe we could try to work something out,” I continue. “Perry would love to visit you every weekend if you don’t mind having us both. Three days a week. It’s just the beginning of the year, but once everything has settled, I’ll get a contracting license in California and start looking for jobs here in Los Angeles. Perry and I can move closer over the summer.” I don’t want to uproot Perry again. She needs stability, and she has made Winter Valley her home, but if this is what it takes to make us a family, I think she’ll adapt. And thrive. Again. “We’ll take everything as slow as you need to.”

  She looks up to me. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I love you. Because my heart tells me you and I are meant to be together. Maybe I’m wrong, but if I don’t try, I might spend the rest of my life with the uncertainty of what-if,” I say. “There has to be a way to make this work. I’m just trying to make it fair for all of us.”

  “Your family is in Winter Valley,” she argues.

  “Mom and Dad are there for only six months each year. My sisters live in Denver, and my brothers can manage on their own.”

  When she finally looks up at me, her eyes are filled with moisture, and her sad smile breaks my heart.

  “Thank you.”

  “For?”

  “The offer is really nice,” she answers and smiles. “I just can’t see this working out for us.”

  “Audrey.”

  My heart races along with my mind. I’m almost trembling. This can’t be it.

  “You’re a wonderful father,” she claims. “Perry is lucky to have you. Meeting you all was an experience that’ll last for a long time.”

  She points outside. “I have to go. I have a lot to do before I settle down.”

  Two weeks ago, her departure ripped my heart. Today, I feel like she’s shredding it.

  I should let this go, but before I leave, I step closer, bend over and kiss her cheek. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be waiting for you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Audrey

  “The sign says Snow chains are required October through May. It’s February. And I don’t have any.”

  I grip the wheel as the snow falls at a blinding clip.

  “No one uses those things. You’re five miles out of town, and you’ve made it up the worst mountain. Besides, if you need a tow, I’m your guy.”

  “I’m not paying you.”

  “But I helped you.”

  As soon as I make it back, I’m going straight for Morgan’s garage to smack him. He had helped me . . . but he’d also been a giant pain in the ass.

  “You are driving hands free, aren’t you?” he asks, turning serious.

  “I’ve got a death grip on the wheel. If I hold it much tighter, I’m going to break it.” A car zooms past me, and I half wonder if it’s Morgan or Colt. “You people up here are crazy.”

  “Just take it slow. Colt says he’s loading up his truck now.”

  “I could walk faster than I’m driving.”

  He snickers. “Better speed up a tad. Otherwise, this plan won’t work.”

  I’ve driven fifteen hours straight, only stopping for gas and food. Right now, I’m totally running on adrenaline.

  “If this doesn’t work, you better have a spare room.” I frown. “On second thought, a spare house.”

  I’d spent the past few weeks doing some serious soul-searching. The sand didn’t have the same uniqueness as the snow. Palm trees didn’t do it for me like evergreens. And I finally have a chance to do what I want to do.

  Be my own boss.

  I had the skills and the belief in myself before. Now, I have the courage to try it. To do things my way.

  But that emptiness I’d felt when I left Winter Valley? It has only intensified. No amount of time or distance has helped. Though it has given me perspective.

  And simmered my anger.

  And made me a little crazy.

  “Crap. He’s not headed toward the school.”

  “Where is he going?” My nerves spike. When does a plan ever work to the letter?

  “Toward you.”

  “Out of town?” I squeak.

  “Wait.”

  Silence spreads between us. I can’t take my eyes off the slick road, but Morgan shouldn’t leave me hanging like this.

  “What’s going on?” I bang my fist on the wheel. “This is never going to work.”

  “It’s going to work,” he says. “He turned around and went by the bakery.”

  “Does he usually do that?”

  “I don’t know his exact routine.” I picture Morgan throwing up his hands. “I’ve had to do all the groundwork here.”

  “This was your big idea.” Is this what it’s like to have a brother? Half the time, I want to hug him. The other half, I want to kill him.

  “And it’s genius.”

  It is. It really and truly is. But I’m not admitting that to him.

  “How far out are you now?” he demands.

  “I don’t know where I am,” I say, losing my patience.

  “Colt’s got us covered. Becky can talk to a fence post, so Colin’s not going anywhere for a while.”

  The snow-covered sign that reads “Welcome to Winter Valley” comes into view. My stomach does a flip flop. This could go well . . . or bomb out.

  “I’m in town.” I recognize the edge of the town square.

  If I squint, I can probably see his truck, but I don’t. I concentrate on the road straight in front of me—no time to mess up now.

  There’s the B&B. A fondness wraps around my heart and squeezes. My nerves ramp up another notch, but I’m happy to be back.

  “Colt says he’s leaving the bakery.”

  “How does he know this?” Were the brothers secret spies in another life?

  “He called Becky, and she left the phone on so Colt could hear everything.”

  I grin. Small towns and nosy neighbors are the best.

  And then I spot him.

  Colin pauses in the doorway, says something to Becky, then jogs around the truck and hops in. How does he do that when it’s so slick out?

  “Step on it, Unicorn, or you’re going to miss him,” Morgan says.

  Without thought, I do as he says but misjudge the distance when I try to pull into the empty parking spot on the street behind Colin’s truck.

  I stomp on the brake, which is the wrong thing to do, and slam into the back of his bumper.

  “You were supposed to tap him,” Morgan says oh so helpfully.

  “I know that,” I growl and toss down the phone.

  Colin jumps out of the cab and doesn’t even look for damage on his truck. He’s making a beeline straight for me. Because, of course, his first concern would be for the other person.

  I push out of my car, slide my hands in the pockets of my onesie, and look at him sheepishly.

  His steps falter.

  “That was supposed to be a love tap.” I flick my chin toward where our cars are French kissing. His bumper is dented. The front of my Honda is . . . smashed.

  “Unicorn?
” He doesn’t come any closer as if he’s afraid to. “Are you okay?”

  I nod. “All good. I think I need more practice driving on the ice.” Is it hot out here? All at once, I feel like I’m in the tropics despite the freezing temperatures.

  He runs his eyes up and down my body like he needs to check for himself.

  “Where are your all-weather tires?”

  “I didn’t exactly know I needed those.” I shrug, a little touched he’s so worried about my safety.

  He glances behind me to my car, packed to the brim with everything I own. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d see if there were any cookies since it’s afternoon snack time.” Audrey. You’re so lame. Don’t chicken out now.

  He stares at me, unamused. “Your feet are going to get cold.”

  I couldn’t even tell he was looking at my feet. Guess it’s kinda hard to miss the new addition to my outfit. Giant unicorn bedroom slippers. I have matching ones for Perry . . . somewhere in my car. Maybe we can find them by next year.

  Again, his concern for my well-being gives me hope.

  “Actually, I’m here for you and Perry.” Wow. That was harder to say than I thought it would be. I mean it with everything I am, but I have to give him props for all the things he’s said to me. I’m not sure I can get out another sentence.

  “But you said—”

  “A lot of stupid things. Because I was mad. And hurt. But the thing is . . .” I draw in a deep breath and release it. “The thing is, my life is here. And if I’m not, then I’ll miss out on the best people to ever happen to me.”

  His brow furrows. That’s not a good sign. I hoped he’d sweep me into his arms and we’d live happily ever after.

  “Perry hasn’t taken it well.” His voice is gruff, and regret fills me. I never ever meant to hurt that little girl. “Neither have I.”

  “You lied to me. All of you. I needed time to sort my head out.” There’s a desperation in my tone I’ve never heard.

  “It was a risk to let you into our world. I have my daughter to think about. She needs stability, and I lost sight of that.” He looks down as if collecting his thoughts. “Winter Valley isn’t a revolving door.”

  “Perry’s taught me so much about who I want to be.” I sniffle, thinking about how amazing she is. How much I’ve missed her. I close the distance between us. “So have you.”

  Colin twitches his fingers at his sides but doesn’t touch me.

  “You said you’d wait,” I plead.

  “Are you here for good?”

  I light up. “I have a job,” I say excitedly.

  “Where?” That sculpted brow furrows again.

  “Here, silly.” It turns out, his family is pretty good at keeping secrets. I kinda think they enjoy it.

  “At the bakery?” He motions toward the building where Becky is not so discreetly watching us from the window.

  Actually, Colt and Morgan are at the end of the street. Mrs. Pollard is across the square, not even trying to pretend she isn’t taking in the whole scene.

  “At the B&B.” I can’t stand being away from him a second longer. I touch his arm. “I worked out a deal with your family as an independent consultant. I’m going to run it under my own terms.” I grin at him. “With all of your help, of course.”

  He stills, his expression impossible to read. “What if I decided I can’t take the risk with you?”

  My heart crashes to my feet, but somehow, I hold it together. “Then I hope you can get used to me being around. I love it here.” I step closer until our bodies are flush. “I love your crazy family. I love Perry.” I cup his cheek. “And I love you.”

  He doesn’t say anything for so long, and I wonder if he’s frozen. But he didn’t run away screaming either. That has to be a good sign, right?

  “I thought love couldn’t happen that fast.”

  I’d basically told him that very thing. “I was so wrong.”

  “Yeah. You were, Unicorn.” He slides his hand behind my neck and gently pulls until our noses are inches apart.

  We stare at one another, breaths shallow. I finally feel whole. And whether he likes it or not, I’m never letting him go. Hence, I cling to his jacket as though my life depends on it.

  “Because I know how I feel. I love you. And I’m not ever going to stop.”

  He smashes his lips to mine the way I smashed my car into his. I melt against him, reveling in the feel of his sure and steady heartbeat. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted and didn’t know I needed.

  Someone whistles behind us. There are claps and hoots, but I’m not embarrassed. These people will have to get used to it because I’m kissing Colin whenever I feel like it.

  “Unicorn!”

  We break apart at Perry’s shriek. She races toward us. I squat down and open my arms. She flies into them.

  “I knew you’d come back. I knew it.” Her tiny arms hug me with the strength of someone twice her size.

  “I’m back. And we’re going to have the best unicorn and fairy party you’ve ever seen.” I kiss the top of her head and stand.

  Colin scoops her up and pulls me close.

  “Grandma is giving me a spa day.”

  “Your mom?” I ask. Colin’s mother is a lovely lady, but spa days don’t seem to be her thing. And she lives in Arizona.

  “I’m glad you finally came to your senses.”

  I turn. My mom is behind us with a knowing smile.

  “Thanks for helping me sort it out.” I hug her, thrilled to finally see my mother.

  She reaches for Perry. “Come on, little lady. We’ve got a spa day to get to.” She looks at Colin and me. “Take your time.” She winks.

  Colin’s cheeks turn red. I’ve missed him so much.

  “Ready to go home?” He kisses my forehead.

  “So ready.” I snake my arm around his waist. “Mind if I borrow your truck? I might’ve had a little fender bender.”

  He laughs. “You can have anything of mine you want.”

  Epilogue

  Audrey

  * * *

  “Perry! You know I can’t run on ice, sweet pea.”

  The girl has no fear when it comes to my issues with gravity. After almost a year in Winter Valley, I’m still a disaster on the slick surface.

  Just yesterday, I slipped on the steps to the B&B again.

  “But we gotta get there.” She drags me along, pretty strong for a child her age.

  I’m not putting up much resistance to her tugs.

  “You still haven’t told me where this emergency is.”

  “If I tell you, then you’ll know.” She makes a zipping motion over her lips. “We’re almost there.”

  We’ve only been a few blocks in the December wind, and I pray we don’t have much farther to go. I haven’t gotten used to the cold even though I’m a local now.

  She drags me down the path toward the center of the town square. Once we round the massive bush, my view of the gazebo is no longer obstructed.

  It’s as magical as the first time I saw it. Snow-covered, twinkling white lights, and . . . Colin standing in the middle?

  I slow my steps. His hands are in his pockets, and from this distance, he appears casual. But I’ve lived with this man for almost a year. I know when he’s anxious.

  Now I am too.

  His scarf blows in the wind, and I smile to myself. His mom and Perry made it. While it’s far from perfect, it’s the only one he wears.

  Because he’s a great dad. A great man.

  And I almost let him go.

  But I know that my life would have been a shadow of what it is now.

  He spots us heading toward him and straightens. Our eyes lock. My heart thumps in triple time.

  Perry’s little hand is warm in mine. If it weren’t for her, I’m not sure I’d be moving.

  I love them.

  More than I ever knew was possible. If it weren’t for these two, for their family
, I’d still be lonely and chasing a career that had sucked the life out of me.

  Now I have everything.

  Including time for afternoons off.

  Apparently, they had plans I wasn’t privy to, but I don’t care. I’m just happy to be with them anywhere.

  Colin walks to the edge of the short steps and holds out his hand. He never lets me fall.

  When I take it, that bolt of electricity that should be long gone since the new shine of our relationship has worn off shoots up my arm. His eyes flare, and I know he feels it as strongly as I do.

  The intensity of our bond should scare me. Instead, it excites me.

  “What are you up to?” I ask slyly when he pulls me flush against him.

  “Unicorn,” he breathes as if he can finally relax now that we’re together again. It should be silly that he still calls me unicorn . . . but I love it.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey.”

  “Daddy, hurry up.” Perry tugs on the sleeve of his jacket.

  He gives her a patient smile. “You don’t think we should wait?”

  “Nooooo!” She pulls more insistently this time.

  “Wait for what?” My heartbeat speeds up as I look back and forth between them.

  Colin reaches inside his coat and produces a small box from his pocket.

  I stare at it and swallow hard. “Colin?”

  It’s not exactly the right size for—but it could be. I look up at him, frozen.

  “Open it.” He holds it out, closer this time.

  Reluctantly, I release his hand and take it.

  There’s no wrapping paper. Just a simple bow that I’m pretty sure Perry tied. I slide off the ribbon and slip it over my wrist.

  I hold my breath as I lift the lid.

  Nestled on a soft bed of cotton lies the Bradford family Christmas ornament. The one that’s always hung first on the tree.

  I’m almost afraid to pick it up. Why would Colin give this to me? It’s their tradition.

  I carefully run my finger over the painted names on the ceramic. And then I see one that wasn’t there before.