Resigned to the fact that this is happening, Nathan walks me to my rental car, kisses me again, and makes sure I’m safely tucked into the driver’s side. Then he stands at the bottom of the porch steps, watching me drive away until I’ve faded out of sight.
As I drive down Main Street toward Dockside Cafe people wave as I pass, and for the first time since before I left for college, I feel like one of them again. Not the girl who left, but the woman who came back and found something worth staying for.
I meet my parents at the cafe before heading to the airport. Mom’s already waving from a corner table, her Christmas-sweater enthusiasm on full display. Dad sits beside her, reading theGazette, but folds it up and sets it under his coffee cup when I walk toward them.
“Sweetheart!” Mom beams, hugging me tight.
When she lets me go, she gestures to a coffee and peppermint cinnamon roll already on the table. “I know you’re on a tight schedule, so I ordered for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I slide into the booth.
“We watched your teaser segment last night. The shots of the tree-lighting were magical!”
“They turned out so well. I can’t wait to see what my boss has to say about them.” I beam with pride, while trying to ignore the way Dad is peering at me over his glasses.
“So,” he says slowly, “we heard you’ve been spending time with Chief Hale.”
Oh boy. Here we go.
So much for waiting until I got back to break the news.
Mom’s eyes sparkle. “Nathan Hale! That man, I swear he has aged like a fine Bordeaux.”
“Mom,” I groan, while Dad clears his throat. “Please keep your voice down.”
At this rate the whole town will know before I finish my peppermint cinnamon bun.
“He’s a good man,” Dad admits. “But, uh…he’s a bit?—”
“Older?” I finish for him. “Yes, Dad. I know. He also happens to be the most decent, frustrating, wonderful person I’ve ever met.”
Mom gives a dreamy sigh. “You always did have a thing for authority figures.”
“Mom.”
“What? Remember that crush on your eighth-grade history teacher?”
I cover my face. “Can we not?”
Dad chuckles, then softens. “Look, Tessie Girl, your mom and I just want you to be happy. Nathan’s—well, he’s got roots here. While you’ve been gone a long time. You have a whole life in New York.”
“I know, but…uhm…I think it’s time I put down some roots of my own. Right here in Mistletoe Bay.”
They both look at me with curiosity and bewilderment for a beat. Then Mom reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Well, if you’re happy dear, then that’s all that matters.”
Dad is a bit more skeptical. “You don’t think it’s a little soon?”
I shake my head. “What have you and Mom always told me? When you know, you know. He truly makes me happy. I know it sounds crazy, and ifanyone’ssurprised by this development, it’s me. I never thought I’d fall for him. It just…happened.”
“And I assume he feels the same?” Dad asks.
“He’s all in,” I assure him.
Dad nods. “Then I expect to see you both for Christmas dinner this year. No exceptions.”
And just like that, it’s settled. Nathan is unofficially, officially, part of the family.
I finish off my sweet treat and coffee, then it’s time to hit the road.
