Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
“How important?”
I drew in a long breath, finally saying out loud what I had been feeling since the moment I’d seen Callie. “Life-changing important.”
“Then we can’t wait to meet her.”
“See you soon.”
I hung up and went inside to find Callie.
4
SHANE
Callie’s fingers worried the sleeve of her red jacket. Then the hem. They moved on to her jeans, tugging at the seam as she stared out the window into the early dawn. Reaching over, I covered her restless hand with mine, pulling it across to rest it on my thigh.
“Your clothing is suffering with your unnecessary worry.”
She met my sidelong glance with anxious eyes.
“This is crazy. You should pull over and I’ll walk home.”
I burst out laughing at her absurd remark. “We’re an hour away from the shop, Callie. I am not ‘pulling over’ and dropping you off. You’re coming with me and spending Christmas with my family. We’re going to get to know each other more.”
“And then?” she asked quietly.
“Then we’ll figure out the next step.” I lifted her hand and kissed the knuckles. “I have never felt this connection to another person before, Callie. Ever. I am not going to waste this chance to explore something I feel is going to be significant.”
“But—”
I shook my head. “No. Don’t overthink this. We both feel it. You told me so. Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out. I have no permanent ties in Calgary. You have no permanent ties here. If we have a future, we’ll figure out the wheres, whys, and whens later. But for today, we’re together, it’s Christmas, and I want you with me. Can that be enough? For now?”
She sighed. “Yes.”
“My family are awesome. Honestly. They’re going to love you.”
“They are going to wonder what kind of weird woman shows up with their relative on Christmas Day, having only met him the night before.”
“They’re going to wonder where you have been all my life.”
Her quick intake of breath made me smile.
“Relax, love. Enjoy the day. I promise it’ll be a good one.”
She regarded me with wide eyes. “Love?” she repeated.
I smiled. “Since you personify it, yeah. It just came out. You okay with that?”
She glanced out the window, remaining silent. Then she nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay with that.”
I picked up her hand and kissed it. “Good.”
I withheld the information that my phone had been blowing up in my pocket. It had started about ten minutes after my conversation with Elly. My family was equally as curious as they were shocked. My mother was demanding to know all about Callie, wanting as much information as I could give, while my father’s texts were slightly more cautious. Alan sent me a thumbs-up and some rather rude emojis, and Elly’s messages were constant. I ignored them all after sending one group text.
You’ll meet her soon. Be nice. She is going to be around the rest of my life.
That caused another frenzy of texts to which I didn’t respond. I was driving, and Callie was with me. They could sate their curiosity soon enough.
And they would love her—of that, I had no doubt. She was sweet, warm, and genuine. My mother would react to the quiet need in Callie’s eyes. My father would feel a protective instinct. Alan would tease her simply to see the rush of color on her cheeks. Elly was going to want to be her best friend. John would be John—sit back and observe, all the time forming his own opinion. Tracey would recognize how alone Callie was and respond positively. She was as tenderhearted as Callie. And my nieces and nephews were going to go mad at having another aunt to love.
And I was going to enjoy watching them all fall under Callie’s spell the same way I had.
We pulled into the driveway as the first of the heavy flakes began to fall. I eyed the sky with worry. “It is looking bad again. You might be stuck here with me for the entire week.” I had hoped she’d stay the whole time, but I was prepared to drive her home sooner if she insisted.
Callie blushed. “I asked Mrs. Cooper to post a sign on the shop door when she goes to check on Jake. So, I’m not seeing a problem with that unless you change your mind. Or your family dislikes me.”
“Neither is going to happen.” I glanced toward the porch with a grin. “In fact, I have a feeling I’m going to lose you as soon as we walk up those steps.” I indicated my sister and mother waiting by the door with a tilt of my head. I leaned across the console and captured Callie’s mouth with mine, kissing her fast and deep.
“What was that for?”
“It’s gonna be a while until I can do that again.” I kissed her again, this time my lips lingering on hers. “Stocking up.” I winked. “Get it? Stocking up?”