He stops at the dark building. “This was my present until you showed up. I was lost in the dark. My family’s business was gone and I had nothing else to live for up here. Nothing that made me happy. Or just made me…me. Until you showed up. And then all of a sudden I knew. I’d been missing you all this time. Missing you more and more every day. I didn’t know your name but I knew you were out there and I was leaving to go find you.”
“You were leaving Wildwood.”
“I was. I was running away. Or running to. I’m not quite sure. But I do know that as soon as I pulled up alongside that car on the road, it was like the lights turned on in my soul. Like I wasn’t lost in the dark. I was found. Found by my light. You.”
Forcing down a sob, I stare at him, losing him in a blur of tears. “I don’t know what to do with that.”
“Take it for what it is. A declaration of love, of intent. Of happiness and hope and all my plans for the future culminating in one perfect person. You.”
I shake my head. I can’t speak. Tears crowd my throat.
“One more stop.”
I head back up the mountain and pull up among the trees. Among the new growth that’s just been planted this year. They’re so small now. It’s hard to believe that they’ll grow into something so big and amazing as someone’s Christmas tree.
“I planted these trees after last Christmas. This was the last big thing I did with Karter before he died.”
He moves out of the sleigh and stands by one of the small trees. “They’re still small but they’re strong and determined. Just like you.”
Shaking my head, I whimper under my breath, staring out at the field.
My brother did this. All of this.
“This is our future. Our children’s future. Not just the ones we’ll have in the future. Also Will and Katy. This land and these trees are his gift to you, my gift to you in a way. They’re the future of Christmas Country. They’re the link to your family and friends. They’re your home. And I want to take care of it with you. I want to raise our kids here someday and watch them play on this mountain, watch them grow into the business and watch them become us someday. Watch them fall in love and bring their own children home to the business just like you have. I want to grow old with you and see all of it through your beautiful silver eyes and know that somewhere out there…”. His big hands wave over his head and into eternity. “Somewhere Karter is watching us and he’s happy, knowing that you’re home and I’m taking care of you the way he always did. Not as your brother like when we were growing up, but as your lover and friend now.”
Hiccuping on a sob, I hold out my hands to him, dropping the thermos. He runs to me and covers my cheeks with kisses, his lips warm and firm and so familiar. Like they were always meant to touch me. “Are you sure about this? I come with baggage and not just my kids.”
“Your kids are not baggage. They’re future little you’s. I can’t wait to watch them grow up and take on the world. It would be my joy to raise them with you.”
“We might not get much help from my ex,” I warn him.
“I’d rather he stay gone. I will never stand in the way of him visiting his kids. But I will always look on them as my kids toobecause they’re yours. They both have your soft eyes and sweet smiles. I couldn’t love them more if we made them together.”
Flushing, I swat at his arm. “That’s rude. You’re bad.”
“Only for you. I’ve waited all my life to be with the woman I was meant to hold forever.”
“Do you mean…?” I can’t even believe what I’m hearing.
“I’m a virgin. I know that’s a weird thing for a guy to admit, but I couldn’t be with any woman that I couldn’t see a future with and since I hadn’t met you again yet, there was nobody.”
“Oh my god, Landon. You waited all this time for me.”
“I would have waited six lifetimes for you. It doesn’t matter how long you took, it just matters that you’re here now. We’re together now. And I intend to spend all of forever with you.”
I hold onto his cold cheeks covered with a light scruff and smile tearily at him. “I love you, Landon Winters. I always have.”
His cold lips touch mine and he smiles softly, gently. “It took me a little longer to catch up but now that I have, I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s our story. The good, the bad and the years in between. It’s all our story. I love you now and forever.”
“Can we go home now? I want to be with you.”
He leans in and his lips claim mine, clinging and moving gently. “”I would love nothing better.”
He climbs up into the sleigh and clicks to the horses, pulling me into his side. I sigh and lean into him, lost in the familiar yet strange scent of the man who was once a boy I loved.
Past, present and future all wrapped up in one man. The love of my life.
CHAPTER 10
