I can’t help the smile that stays on my face at the amount of love everyone has for him. My mate. While he chatters away, quickly catching up with what must be half the town, his mom approaches my other side, cautiously taking my other hand in hers, her eyes asking for permission. I smile and nod. Theanswering smile she gives me is almost enough for my eyes to tear up, and I don’t understand why.
“I thought this would be a good time for us girls to chat while he’s busy,” she suggests sweetly.
Nodding again, I agree. “I’d love too.”
She leads me over to the side just a bit, but still close enough that Kodi can still see us when he glances around, making sure I’m still within sight. I smile over at him before turning my full attention to his mother.
The first thing she does takes me by surprise. She wraps me in a hug that rivals one of Kodi’s bear hugs. When she pulls away, we’re both a bit misty-eyed. She keeps her hands resting on my shoulders as she beams at me. The first thing she says is, “I’m so glad everything that happened, took him to you.”
No longer able to keep them in, a few tears escape, trickling down my cheeks and I admit, “I’m glad that my life led me to him and he brought me . . . here,” as my gaze sweeps across the magical Christmas atmosphere.
Her head tilts slightly to the side, not understanding why this is all so much more than your every day holiday dinner to me. My heart no longer feels heavy when I think of what could have been. In its place, is a bright shining ball of hope. Taking a quick glimpse of Kodi, I channel my strength and tell his mom everything about my parents, childhood, and my life before and since Kodi, catching her up completely.
By the time I’ve finished, we’re both silently crying, cleansing tears, and she gives me another giant hug. Halfway through, Kodi checks in on me through our bond, no doubt feeling everything I laid bare to his mother. When I told him I was okay and what I was doing, the pride he felt for me was overwhelming.
“Well, then,” his mom says with a sniffle, wiping away the last of her tears, “that just won’t do. My name is Patty, but you call me whatever you like. Kodi’s always called me Mam and you’re welcome to, as well. In fact, I’d be honored.”
All I can do is nod because the gratitude I feel is something that can’t be put into words.
When Kodi has finally mingled to his heart’s content, he wraps me and his mother in a double bear hug, lifting us off the ground just a bit. We both let our laughter ring and swat at him to put us down.
We take our places at what is apparently their table here, where Crispin’s seat at the head of the table looks like a mall Santa chair, just like his chair at his house. Patty—Mam—takes the seat on his right. Kodi takes the seat on his left, and I settle in next to Kodi and pick up the stunning red, leather bound book in front of me to find it’s the menu.
Not only is it the most beautiful menu I’ve ever seen, the red leather is embossed elegantly in all things Christmas, but the options are more eclectic than I’ve ever seen.
There is a long list of traditional holiday meal items, but there are also two pages of random, classic comfort foods that you can find at any café or eatery in the nation. Having never had a classic holiday meal I let Kodi order for me. He recommends the Christmas Classic Sampler that comes with carved turkey breast with gravy, a slice of ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied sweet potatoes, sweet corn casserole, two deviled eggs, and a fluffy yeast roll with whipped honey butter.
When they bring us our food, I smile at the mismatched Christmas dishes it’s served on. It’s as though every year they buy a few new sets of different holiday dinnerware and just mixthem all up. Usually, I would hate something like that, but here, in this magical place, it feels perfect.
Each bite of food is more delicious than the last, and I somehow make it through almost the entire plate, leaving only a small pile of mashed potatoes. Not because they weren’t delicious, but because I was so full after wanting to eat every bite of the new things.
Kodi and I skip dessert, leaving his parents to their coffee and pie. An anxious wave crests through our bond and I look up to find Kodi rubbing the back of his neck. “I know it’s a lot, but I hope you had a good day.”
Exasperated by this stupid, gorgeous man, I step in front of him to stop him in his tracks before launching myself at him without warning, knowing he’ll always catch me. With my thighs wrapped around his waist, his arms holding me under my rear like I weigh nothing, I grab ahold of the collar of his shirt and yank our faces together.This was one of the best days of my life, Kodi. Do you . . . do you have any more Christmas magic for me? I’m starting to think I could maybe learn to love it after all . . .
He pulls back, shock written all over his face by his raised eyebrows and jaw hanging open. He recovers quickly, his cocky little sideways smirk making an appearance. “Actually, I do, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
6 Days before Christmas
33
Kodi
Keeping my trap shut for an entire day without giving away my next surprise for Anya has been a special kind of hell.
It doesn’t help that she knows I’m trying to keep it from her, and she’s been doing everything in her power to convince me to give away my secrets.
As the sun finally begins its descent, we load into the rental SUV for the short drive to our destination. Excitement makes it hard to sit still in my seat. We don’t speak as we make our way,the silence comfortable. Anya’s nose is pressed against the glass of the window. I can see the reflection of her eyes flitting around, taking in the view and any information around us.
Steering the large vehicle into the parking lot, I smile at myself knowing there aren’t any signs that give away where we are. The owners keep as much light and distractions away from the parking lots, so it doesn’t obstruct the views once you’re inside.
Shutting off the vehicle and hopping out, I round the front to open her door and help her out. She accepts my hand with an irritated little scoff that shouldn’t make my dick hard, but here we are; I’ve never hidden that I love her little attitude.
We follow the crowd up and over the hill, gasps erupting all around us, even my jaw falling open. It’s been so long since I’ve been here, even I forgot how beautiful this place is.
The wonder, amazement, and love coursing through our bond lights me up with an effervescent kind of feeling, knowing she’s enjoying this as much as I’d hoped that she would.
Rising out of the earth in front of us is a gargantuan ice castle reaching for the sky. It was remodeled a couple of years ago to make it look like some princess movie that got huge, and now the kids get even more excited when they see it.
