He turned and reached out to her.His fingers embraced her upper arms.“It sounds like a really good memory.”
She sniffled as she nodded.“It’s just that sometimes I really miss my father.I didn’t get to tell him goodbye.”A tear streamed down her cheek.“I didn’t get to tell him that I loved him.”
Justin pulled her closer until her cheek rested against his shoulder.“But your father knew how much you love him.”
“I just…I still can’t believe he’s gone.I miss him so much.”
They stood there with their arms wrapped around each other.It literally had been years since they’d been this close—since they’d trusted each other with their innermost feelings.This was Felicity’s first Christmas at home without her father.It wouldn’t be easy.But he would do whatever he could to help her make new memories—happy memories.
When she pulled back, he didn’t immediately release his embrace.He wasn’t ready to let her go.It was like he’d found what he’d been missing all of this time.
As her gaze met his, his heart pounded.It was so loud it echoed in his ears.She was the only one who could make him feel like this.
His gaze dipped to her mouth.Her lips were rosy.He wondered what she would do if he were to lower his head and press his mouth to hers.The thought was so tempting.They were so close.
He wouldn’t know unless he tried.As he stared into her eyes, his heart was pounding so loud it was like he was a nervous teenager again.His head lowered, and his eyes drifted closed—
Crash!
Not again.His eyes sprang open.Felicity had already jumped out of his arms.The moment that had barely begun was already over.Disappointment flooded his body.
He glanced over to see that Sunny had knocked one of the decoration boxes from the coffee table.She was pawing at the lid, which was partially off.
The next thing he knew, Sunny had one of the ornaments in her mouth.When they yelled at her, Sunny took off running toward the dining room table.He went one way.Felicity went the other way.
“I’ve got her.”Justin bent over to catch Sunny, but she was so fast his fingertips only grazed the fur of her back.
“Thought you had her.”Felicity rolled her eyes.
“I thought so.She’s too fast.”
They followed her to Felicity’s bedroom.Then she raced past them.He was worried about the ornament in her mouth.He didn’t know what he’d do if she ruined it.
It wasn’t until Sunny reached the living room that she jumped up on the couch.As she was about to stretch out and crunch down on the ornament, Justin snatched it from her grasp.Sunny sat up and frowned at him.
He ignored the dog’s disgruntled whining.He was more concerned about the ornament.It looked like it was part of a star, but where was the rest of it?
He’d had an eye on Sunny the whole time, and she didn’t have a chance to eat it.So, then where was it?
His gaze moved to the box on the floor.Felicity picked it up before he could reach it.He could tell by the droop of her lips, and the ever so soft sigh that it wasn’t good.
“Maybe we can fix them,” he said without seeing the extent of the damage.He looked at Sunny.“You’re in trouble.”
Felicity shook her head.“It isn’t her fault.It looks like moisture got to them, and they crumbled.”
She held up the box.He peered inside and saw the star-shaped ornaments in various degrees of brokenness.When his gaze lifted to meet Felicity’s, he could see how much this realization pained her.
“We made these salt dough ornaments with my grandmother.I was so little that I needed a stool to see the top of the table.My grandmother let me sprinkle the flour.I’m not sure how much actually made it on the table and how much landed on the floor.”A wistful smile passed over her beautiful face.
“Sounds like it was a good memory.”
Felicity nodded.“It was a great Christmas.My grandmother didn’t have money, but she made the holidays special for the whole family with her baking, and she always had carols playing until the New Year.She said Christmas was for singing out in joy.”
His gaze narrowed.“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you sing.”
“Really?”When he nodded, she said, “I guess you just weren’t around at the right times.”
As her gaze returned to the box of ruined ornaments, he asked, “What will you do with them?”
