“Mom, you’re a terrible liar.”
The car tires spun, and the engine backfired, but I watched the young man speed off for the next delivery.
“I know. I suck.” I put extra emphasis on theKand blew the hair away from my mouth. “Here. I give up. We’ll have pizza for supper.”
I passed an excited Faith the pizza box because Jack had worn me down enough to win this round. He still hadn’t earned my heart and had much more groveling to do. I wouldn’t give in yet. Possibly never.
“Um... There’s something for you to see...” Faith held the pizza box wide open. “It’s insidethe box.”
A piece of paper with a quote on it was taped to the lid of the cardboard.
Love is a pineapple - sweet, unique, and worth treasuring.
Sneaky, cheesy Jack Timber.
Suddenly, a bright glow caught my eye, and I covered the unexpected glare with my hand. My sight slowly adjusted and left me in shock. I gasped.
Jack hated anything classical Christmas, but he had his front lawn littered with everything festive. All of his green decorations were gone. There wasn’t a single one left, except for the colorful array of the rainbow mixed in with the envious green. A cheerful mix and nothing mean about the wonderful display.
“Cool!” Faith exclaimed with pizza hanging out of her mouth and a twinkle in her eyes.
“Is this a joke?” I wandered outside and had to examine the scenery. “No way Mr. Timber did all of this.”
“Oh, but he did...” Jack popped out from behind a giant inflatable Santa Claus. “And he did all of this for you.”
“Sure.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “And I’m freaking Mrs. Claus.”
The house was illuminated more than mine and shone vividly, to the point where it was almost blinding. Jack hopped over a tether line before he tripped on it, and the sleigh beside him swayed. The reindeer followed with the same motion, and he nearly collided with some glittery presents near a Christmas tree.
“No, you’re the woman I love, and half of my heart struggles to beat without you.” Jack ambled down his version ofCandy Cane Lane, which was lined with a bunch of lollipops, and stopped at the property line. “I need you in my life, Elle.”
“What about the other half?” I asked sarcastically. “Did you lose it in the mail?”
“No. The other half belongs to you,” Jack said.
“Cheesy.” I snickered and turned my back to Jack. “Same as your dang pizza!”
“I see you accepted my gift,” Jack voiced over my ignorance. “It’s good pizza, isn’t it, kiddo?”
I froze. Faith gave Jack a thumbs up with a string of cheese hanging out of her mouth.Damn it!
I glanced over my shoulder, but I couldn’t look at Jack. “The pizza doesn’t change the facts, Timber. I haven’t forgiven you for all you’ve done.”
“Fair. But your acceptance is a start,” Jack said.
“Holy Christmas! What is going on out here?”
I spun around at the sound of my dad’s voice, and he walked up in between the property line. He wore a black housecoat and slippers, but he was angry.Great.
“Grandpa Gabe!” Faith ran up to him and gave him a great big hug. “You made it back home!”
“A delayed flight of a few days can’t stop me from getting back to my beautiful granddaughter.” Gabriel smiled down at Faith. “Have you grown more since I left?”
“No.” Faith giggled and stuck her fingers in her mouth. “But I have a wiggly tooth.”
“A visit from Santa Claus in a few days and the Tooth Fairy?” Gabriel tapped Faith on the nose. “What a lucky girl.”
“Come inside, Grandpa. I’ll show you the Christmas tree Mr. Timber got for us,” Faith announced with excitement. “Mommy and him went out to chop one down together, and we all decorated it.”
