When we had told Mona that we were dating, she could not contain her excitement. She’d hugged the both of us and told us she’d hired me hoping we would fall in love.
Mona was our living Cupid.
I picked up a bit of snow and splashed it on Abby’s face. “I don’t kiss and tell,” I said quickly and ran.
“You—” Abby gave chase.
I sprinted in circles around Lee and the kids, leaving footprints, my leg muscles working harder. It was difficult to tread through the snow, especially with my heavy snow boots.
“Don’t fall.” Tyler opened his arms wide, protecting the snowman.
I stopped, panting, and something cold hit my cheek. Flakes fell into my mouth and I spat out liquid. “Hey...” I scowled at Abby.
She was never the one to give up. While chasing me, she’d managed to scoop up a handful of snow.
“Truce.” I stood behind Tyler, moving from side to side, using him as my shield, while Abby mirrored me with a snowball in her hand. “You won’t dare hit your son, would you?”
Plop! A snowball smacked Tyler in the center of his chest.
“Mom.” Tyler squealed. He picked up a chunk of snow and threw it at her.
Abby had started a war. Snowballs flew in every direction between the five of us until we were spent and out of breath.
“Who wants hot cocoa?” Abby opened up her backpack on the log and took out a thermos and cups.
Steam rose from the thermos and my mouth watered at the sweet scent.
“Me,” the two kids cheered, eagerly waiting in front of her.
I was just about to help Abby, when Lee draped his arm around my shoulder from behind and planted a kiss on my neck. “Abby is coming tonight, right? I invited Ian.”
I had told Lee that Ian was perfect for my sister, but thought it might be too soon to set them up. Lee had suggested they meet at a casual gathering. Hopefully, they would become friends and perhaps it could turn into something more down the line, like how it had happened for us.
“Yes, she’ll be there.” I spun to face him and put my arms around his neck. “And you said my parents can come as well? They’ll probably leave about nine and take Tyler home with them. Abby and I can stay longer.”
“Of course. They should come. We can celebrate Eastern Standard Time and celebrate again at midnight.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Then perhaps you can meet my parents next month when they visit.” He sounded hesitant, as if unsure.
“I would love that.”
The way he looked at me with such tender eyes, I felt how much he cared for me. I fell more in love with him at that very second. He was not just Bridget’s hero, but mine as well. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to have a future with.
Plop. Plop.
Snow whacked Lee’s left cheek, and something cold slapped my face. The kids had restarted the snowball fight.
“I ... am ... Skeleton!” Lee’s voice went guttural as he curled his fingers like claws and chased after them.
“I’m Skeleton, too.” I followed beside Lee, mimicking his monster expression.
We ran in circles around the log until Lee grabbed Tyler and I grabbed Bridget. We became tickle monsters and poked their sides as they squirmed. Giggles and snorts filled the air.
The kids rushed to work on their snowman by the tree while the three of us sat on the log and watched.
I recalled the first day when I’d arrived in Kauai and had seen a rainbow just as we pulled onto my sister’s street. No sign that it had rained, except for the beautiful shimmering colors that arced across the sky. I’d had a feeling that Christmas was going to be special, and it was. But never had I imagined I would find Leonardo Medici.
Life was unpredictable and full of surprises. Sometimes fate intervened, and sometimes the people you love did. Like Mona hiring me, my sister owning a gallery, and me being Bridget’s temporary nanny. Who knew all these coincidences would bring Lee and me together?
“We need help with our snowman,” Tyler hollered and poked two sticks into the side for arms with Bridget’s help.
“Coming,” I said.
As Lee and I walked hand-in-hand, wind chimes tinkled on the chill wind. Despite the cold, a warm breeze brushed past me. Strangely, I didn’t feel the invisible hand caressing down my back.
Turning my head, I searched for the sound, but I couldn’t figure out where it came from. I thought I was hearing things until Lee stopped walking and looked at me with his eyebrows arched, silently asking if I’d heard it too. Then his gaze lowered to his jacket pocket.
There was no reception here. Bridget didn’t notice the sound, as if it were meant for just Lee and me. When Lee pulled out his phone, the sound stopped. But even though there was no reception, the caller ID flashed: Unknown caller.
Lee and I exchanged a baffled look as I thought about all the times I had heard unexplained wind chimes on my phone. Perhaps it wasn’t a fluke after all. Lee must have thought the same.
Lee smiled wide and beautiful, meeting my gaze with intensity, and said, “Sometimes angels come in human form.”
"I couldn't agree more.” I smiled the kind of smile I reserved only for him.
Then Lee kissed me, brushing a thumb along my cheek, and I knew with absolute certainty ... Bridget’s mother was looking down on us.
About the Author
Mary is an international bestselling, award-winning author. She writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers around the world. Her books span a wide range of genres, and her storytelling talents have earned a devoted legion of fans, as well as garnered critical praise.
Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privileged of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.
Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry.