“That’s all Brody.”
“Yeah,” I agree. I know exactly what she means. Silas is always doing things like bringing home flowers, sending me text messages telling me he’s thinking about me and how much he loves me. He even went as far as to get me a signed copy of the book I’ve been dying to read. He has connections since he’s on the cover. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the world being able to ogle my man, but turns out I’m good with it. He comes home to me every night, and I’m the one who shares his last name. It’s easy to stay in love when you both work at it. I drop by the station and bring dessert and dinner for him and the guys, and most nights, if I can, I wait up for him on his long shifts. I never want to take him or our love for granted. I know what life is like without him, and that’s not something I ever want to go back to.
The announcer on TV gives us a five-minute warning. I watch as my husband hands my niece back to her dad and heads toward me. Charity notices as well. She sets her drink on the table and goes to her family.
“Happy Birthday, beautiful,” Silas says as his lips press to mine. “If I remember, we were supposed to sneak away before midnight.” He wags his eyebrows at me.
“Maybe next year.” I smile up at him.
“It’s hard to believe just one year ago tonight was the first time I made love to you. You gave me a gift I will always cherish.”
“A gift, huh?”
“A treasure,” he says, kissing me again.
“I think I can do better this year.” His eyes heat as he pulls me closer. I can feel his hard length pressing into my stomach.
“Impossible. There will never be a greater gift than you giving me you.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“It’s a fact.”
Standing on my tiptoes, I place my lips next to his ear. “You’re going to be a daddy.” I fall back to my feet and watch as a display of emotions cross his face.
Confusion.
Fear.
Happiness.
Love.
The countdown begins as his forehead rests against mine. “Thank you, baby. For this life, for your love, and for our baby.”
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
His lips press to mine, and just as he’s always done, he shows me with the slide of his tongue against mine what he’s feeling. By the time he ends the kiss, we’re both breathing heavily, and there are smiles lighting up our faces. This is our future, with many more years filled with love, happiness, and a midnight kiss for each of them.
About the Author
Kaylee Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. When she’s not spinning tales of happily ever after, she’s reading or spending time with family. Born and raised an Ohio girl, Kaylee resides in Cincinnati with her husband and their son.
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Chapter One
Kara
“Kara, are you sure you’re ready to do this alone? I’m worried about you.”
“No, Donna, but I have to.” I grip the steering wheel as if I’m hanging on for dear life. My biggest fear is driving up a windy mountain road, going off the side, and plummeting to a slow and painful death. Ever since I can remember I’ve had dreams of it happening. Maybe it’s irrational, but because of it, I’ve never driven up here alone. Thank goodness I have my best friend Donna as my moral support. Unfortunately, the price for the beauty of nature is a lack of cell service. Our call will eventually drop, but in the meantime, I’m enjoying her company for as long as we stay connected.
“Okay … please remember to call me as soon as you get to the cabin. Our offer for you to come spend the holidays with us is open if you change your mind. This has been such a hard year for you; I wish you’d reconsider.”
I crack the window and take a deep breath. Aromas of pine and fresh rain fill my car—my favorite scents in the world. Memories of vacations and holidays flood my mind as I blink back tears.
“Thank you. I need to say goodbye to my parents and this is the only way I feel I can do it properly. Besides, this year has been hard on everyone. You know that more than most people.”
Donna sighs softly. “I’m just going to book a ticket and come to you. I can be there as early as tomorrow.”
“Don’t you even think about it. You’ve got precious few days off to spend with your family and it’s Natti’s first Christmas. I love you for wanting to, but I’d never forgive myself.”
“Fine … when you … tell me …”
The phone is finally cutting out and I don’t even bother trying to reply. I’ll call her from the cabin. As soon as I disconnect the call, Madonna blasts through the car. Normally, I love Madge at the highest of volumes, but I can’t concentrate on this drive without turning her down to a whisper.
I quickly glance over to the urn in my passenger seat, making sure it’s still safely belted in. “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad, I’ll have you home in no time.”
This pandemic took more than my job; it took my parents’ lives and many others. My parents didn’t raise a quitter though. I’ll survive, and a good dose of holiday spirit in my favorite place is what I need to start the next year off right.
As I drive around the final bend before town, I release a heavy breath. I made it. Anxiety about the drive down the mountain creeps in but I push it away. I’ll worry about that when I go back home. One step at a time.
When the town general store comes into view, I flip on my turn signal and pull into the small lot. Once parked, the reality of my situation dawns on me. There’s no way I can walk around the store with an urn. Even if I’m in the middle of nowhere, I won’t leave them in the car and risk them being stolen.
I’m being completely irrational, I know. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a crime being committed up here—not a serious one, anyway. But I’m not willing to become the first victim either. After backing out of my spot and straightening my car, I do a quick double take at the man exiting the store.
“Dammit! Not today. Please, God, not today.”
Grumbling as I change gears, I hit the gas too hard and rocks shoot out from underneath my tires. The running joke up here is that you can always tell who the tourists are because they spray gravel like an Olympic sport without a care in the world for who may get hit. There’s no way he hasn’t noticed me.
I look up, cheeks red with embarrassment, and catch him looking right at me. He flashes me a gorgeous smile and raises his hand in a wave. It’s a damn shame the karma gods haven’t caught up with him yet. He’s still as handsome as ever. I bet women continue to fall under his spell.
“Sorry, Ben, I’m not in the headspace for you today,” I mumble before driving off and heading home.
Ben’s family owns the cabin next door to ours. They never use it during the winter, and it never crossed my mind he’d be here. We met as teenagers and had a summer fling our junior year of high school. Not a day passed that we didn’t talk or text. By the summer of senior year, we were inseparable.