She rubs her hands together in front of her, biting her lip and looking uncharacteristically nervous. "Well, Aster asked me to help her with research for her new book."
Suddenly everything clicks into place as it hits me that I've been played, but not by my brothers, and not necessarily in a bad way... well not yet anyway. "What did she ask you to do?" My hands are clammy and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I know that both of those things have nothing to do with the temperature and everything to do with the big ol' bunch of nervous anticipation I'm suddenly feeling.Could this really be happening?
Dee straightens her shoulders and glances up toward the sky. When her breath catches, I follow her line of sight and spot the bunch of mistletoe hanging above us.
When her gaze slowly drops back to meet mine, I'm sure I catch a flash of heat there. Then my world stands still as she leans in close until her face is all I can see. "I think... I think she wanted me to do this."
“Shewants you to?” I ask. “Or do you?”
In the next breath, Dee touches her mouth to mine. “Both” then she moves back in. The kiss is gentle at first but deepens as we both lose ourselves in the moment. I reach out and cup her jaw, tilting her head and moving in close, pouring every feeling she elicits from me into it. It's like a lightning bolt, a jolt that rocks the ground beneath my feet. The same way I felt when I first saw Dee at the rodeo all those months ago. The way I’ve felt every time I’m with her. Every innocent touch and moment that could’ve been just like this.
My lips tingle and burn with a spark of heat I've never felt with anyone before, and I know I'll never feel again. I decide if this is the only time I ever get to kiss her, I'm going to make it meaningful... memorable... and most of all, unforgettable.
There are no doubts now, how could there be? This must be how it was supposed to happen, and Dee is the woman it was always meant to happen with. We just couldn't rush it. All we needed was time. Dee is the only woman put on this earth for me. MyOne.
"Damn," she breathes as we pull apart for some much-needed air. Her eyes are hooded and her chest is heaving as her gaze roams over my face.
"Double damn." I rasp, unable to look away.
Not that I'd want to even if I could. She's breathtakingly beautiful. She's everything. And now I'm even more determined to make sure she knows she's meant to be mine.
“Why on earth did we wait forthat?She says with a wry grin curving her gorgeous pink lips."You can take me on that date you kept askin' me for."
"Whatnow?" I splutter.
"Nah." She smiles and I swear I lose all the air in my lungs at the sight. "When we get back home."
"OK."
“Or maybe if you win that cup. Might be a good way to celebrate,” she muses, sounding more confident than I am about winning.Could this be the day that the mountain spirit blesses me with not just my first trophy but my One too?
Movement to the side catches my attention and I turn to see a beaming Aster standing next to Leah and Kendra, all three women smiling brightly.
Damn meddling Seers, I think to myself. But I'm so far from mad at them. Because suddenly Christmas and the New Year are looking a hell of a lot brighter.
I grab the closed sign and place it on the booth, quickly walking around the stall and holding out my arm to the woman who makes my heart race and my body thrum. "Wanna go see if I win the Christmas Cup?"
She laces her fingers with mine and like a key fitting into a lock, my future is set. It feels so right. So… meant to be. "Sure do."
19
DEE
By some miracle, or–given what I now know about the mountain spirit and her matchmaking–divine intervention, Toby and I get to drive from Woodward Valley to Spring Haven together and alone.
After Toby, Star, and Spring Haven were announced as the inaugural winners of the Holly Jolly Christmas Cup last night, we all moved on to the town’s bar, ironically called ‘The Cow and Bull’ to celebrate.
Toby and I stayed glued to each other’s side all night, sharing stolen kisses and kicking up our heels with everyone who had taken part in the Sally’s crazy Christmas challenges. It also gave me a chance to meet all of the other couples I’d read about in Aster’s books.
Ever the gentleman, Toby dropped me off at the The Woodward Doze Bed and Breakfast with a chaste goodnight kiss, and a promise to pick me up in the morning for the long drive home.
There was a new light in his eyes that I haven’t seen since that afternoon we had at the swimming hole and when I woke up thismorning with a giddy feeling bubbling up inside, I knew that this drive home and whatever happened after that would be the start of a new life I couldn’t wait to start.
Now we’re out of Woodward Valley and on the highway driving back to Spring Haven. As the miles pass by, I steal glances at Toby, his focus steady on the road ahead. There’s no missing the anticipation buzzing in the air between us. There’s also a silent understanding that this slow burn of ours has changed, something I can'twaitto explore further. I can't help but feel a sense of excitement, but there’s a small part of me that’s still wondering which one of us will break first and make the first move.
Finally, unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I break the silence. "Tobes, I don't know what to do," I blurt out, catching him by surprise.
His fingers flex in mine as he shoots me a concerned side glance. "About this?" he asks, lifting our joined hands off the seat between us.
