“My family has called me back to the estate. It’s not something I can ignore.”
“You’re going to miss Christmas with us?”
The sadness in his voice breaks my heart. “I don’t want to, but this is a duty I cannot push off.”
He takes my face in his hands. “I would never want you to ignore your duty. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”
God, I can’t bear the thought of leaving him now.I just got him.
“Come with me,” I say, the words spilling out of my mouth before I can pull them back.
He looks off in the direction of his family’s ranch, obviously conflicted.
“I’m sorry, Gael. Of course I can’t ask you to miss Christmas with your family. I just hate that we won’t be able to spend it together.”
He leans in and kisses me dizzy. “Maybe we can. I’ll explain it to my mom. She’ll understand.”
If I were a better man I’d decline his offer, but I can’t.
I touch my forehead to his. “Thank you. Now that I have you, I can’t imagine doing this without you.”
6
GAEL
Tolly and I shower together, and of course, his bathroom is magnificent. I borrow his truck while he packs. The moment I pull into my family’s driveway the front door opens and my mom stands there, grinning at me.
“Does he love you?” she asks in Spanish as I make my way up the front steps.
I kiss her cheek. “He does. He hasn’t said the words, but no one looks at somebody like that without their heart being involved.”
She squeals and hugs me, then presses a kiss to each cheek.
“You deserve the world with him. He’s such a good man.”
“He is. And unfortunately he has duties back in England.”
“Of course,” she says with a shrug. “He’s a man with lot on his shoulders.”
“Yes, but I’m talking about right now. His family called him this morning. He’s getting on a plane in the next hour.”
“Wait—he can’t have Christmas with us?”
I shake my head, following her into the living room. “He’s asked me to join him, and I want to say yes, but I don’t want to break your heart and miss out on Christmas.”
“Why are you breaking your mother’s heart?” my dad asks as he walks into the living room.
“He’s not breaking my heart, Emil.” She pauses for a kiss and a tight hug from my father. “Tolly’s been called back to England, and Gael doesn’t want to be apart from him.”
My father’s hands land on my mother’s hips. “I understand entirely. But what about the tamales?”
“My mother won’t be thrilled, but we can push the tamale assembly and breakfast until he comes back.”
I’m overwhelmed as my father nods.
“I like that.” Turning to me, he asks, “Will you bring Tolly back with you? This is an important tradition with our family.”
“I will do everything I can to make that happen,” I promise, filled with gratitude for their understanding and support.
