“Any Christmas wishes?” Kacey could think of one of her own.
He chuckled. “I have everything I need.”
She scanned the glorious dark sky and felt his eyes focused on her, pulling her gaze to meet his. The intensity in his expression made her lose her breath.
Drew reached up and cupped his hand to her cheek. She leaned into his touch as he tilted his head toward hers. Her breath hitched, and her pulse raced as she waited for his lips to meet hers.
“Who’s out there?”
Drew jerked back and looked to where the voice called from the end of the pier. “Dad! It’s me!” He jumped to his feet and held his hand out to Kacey.
She latched on, and he helped her up. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to catch her breath.
Drew’s father still stood at the end of the pier. “Why didn’t you come to the house?”
“We didn’t want to bother you and Mom,” Drew said, resting his hand on Kacey’s shoulder.
She lifted her hand in a wave. “Hi, Mr.Murphy.”
“Kacey Williams,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”
She nodded. “Yes, it has.”
“Come inside and visit.”
“We should really be going,” Drew said.
“Nonsense. I insist,” his father said.
“Okay,” Drew said, sounding resigned.
While his father started up the hill toward the house, Drew took Kacey’s hand in his and motioned for her to slow her pace, putting some space between them and his father. “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I was hoping we could sneak out of here without seeing my parents.”
“It’s totally fine.” Kacey smiled and gave his hand a squeeze.
Drew and Kacey followed his father up the deck stairs and into their enormous family room. She glanced around, spotting new furniture and a larger flat-screen television than she remembered from high school.
Mr.Murphy had also changed. His dark hair was mostly peppered with gray, and his dark eyes were rimmed with wrinkles. He also looked as if he’d gained at least twenty pounds, and Drew was now at least a few inches taller than he was.
“Marilyn,” Mr.Murphy called, “you’ll never guess who I found out on the pier.”
“Who is it, Randy?” Mrs. Murphy appeared in the doorway, and she smiled as she hurried into the family room. “Drew! Kacey! Oh my goodness. What a nice surprise.”
Although Drew had received his angular jaw and perfectly proportioned nose from his father, Kacey had always noticed that his gorgeous green eyes and sweet personality came from his mother.
Drew nodded and smiled. “Hi, Mom.”
“It’s nice to see you, Mrs.Murphy.” Kacey shook her warm hand.
“Call me Marilyn.” She motioned for them to follow her. “What on earth were you doing out on the pier in this cold weather?”
“We were taking a trip down memory lane,” Drew said.
And your son almost kissed me, but your husband interrupted!Kacey pinned a smile on her face as the recollection of that moment made her legs feel like cooked noodles.
Marilyn waved them over. “Come into the kitchen, and I’ll make some cocoa.”
Randy followed his wife out of the family room.
