“It’s a good can’t believe this, I hope?”
Without a single thought for propriety or consideration for whoever else was in the restaurant, I stood and rounded the table to Daire’s side.
He pushed back his chair just in time for me to slide onto his lap.
I tucked my face into his neck.
He locked his arms around my waist and nestled me against his chest.
His chest that vibrated with warmth and love.His chest that protected me from the hard facts of life.His chest that was the safest place I could ever be.
His chest that was wide enough and strong enough to hold all of me.
“I love you, Harley.”
“There are no words, Daire.No words for what you’ve done for me.”
“I’ve got a few,” he murmured.“Wanna go for a spin?”
38
Blessing
“Ican’tbelievethisisactually happening!”I squealed.“I’ve never been anywhere!”
We spent Christmas Day with my family.With all of us together, and happy, it was the first Christmas since losing Hunter that wasn’t shrouded in guilt.
Or overwrought with grief.
After dinner, Hawkley stood and raised his glass.“To Hunter.We love you.We miss you.And we wish you a Merry Christmas.”
If a few tears were shed, maybe even one or two from me, it was only a reflection of the love we all shared.
And how much we would always miss him.
Roughly thirty hours later, Daire and I exited the taxi and walked up the path into Ashley’s welcoming embrace.
Daire’s mom was everything I expected her to be and more.
For two blissful weeks we fully immersed ourselves in Greek culture.Hot springs, the farmer’s market, authentic Greek cuisine, and hiking in the mountains.
I couldn’t get over the food!
Preserved peaches so sweet they made my teeth hurt.Yogurt as rich and thick as ice cream.
And every morning, Daire slipped down to the kitchen and brought up a tray for us to have breakfast in bed.
The first morning, seeing him with a tea towel over his arm, and a dome-covered dish on a tray complete with a flower in a bud vase, orange juice, and coffee, I laughed.
By the third morning, I looked forward to it.
But a couple of mornings before we were set to go home, Daire didn’t get out of bed.
I looked at him curiously, and he smirked back at me.
I gave him a shove with my foot.“Don’t stop now, go get our breakfast!”
“Maybe you should get my breakfast this morning,” he teased.
