He kissed my ear. “Do you like it?”
“Iloveit. When did you get this? You must’ve already had it!”
“I bought it in October.”
“October?!”
“I was planning on asking you at Christmas, but this was way more fun.”
“We’re getting married!” I squealed.
“Let’s get out of here. I’m freezing my butt off.” I laughed, realizing my Texas cowboy wasn’t used to the cold. Grabbing his hand, we jogged toward the Volvo and jumped in.
I couldn’t stop smiling. “You don’t have a bag, so I guess you’re not staying.”
“I can’t. Tag is stressed about Bea going into labor, so I have a flight back later today.”
I pulled out of the pick-up lane. “How much time do we have?”
“Five hours. Just enough time to make out and plan our wedding.”
I cackled at the waymake-outmade him sound like a teenager, but I was so game. “No discussions allowed until after we make out.”
“Deal.” He laughed too, reaching over to grip my thigh. I saw stars and almost ran off the road.
We cracked jokes, giddy with excitement, until I finally found a mega-church parking lot that was conveniently abandoned on a random Thursday morning. I pulled to the farthest corner and moved the gear stick into park. “Time to start checking things off our list.”
Jesse’s laughter melted me. “You are so eager.”
“Of course I’m eager. I haven’t seen you in five months.”
His eyes ran over all my features, his smile slowly fading. “Get over here then.” He reached down, scooting his seat back as far as it would go. I shrugged out of my coat and chucked it into the backseat. As I crawled across the console, his hands came to my waist and pulled me until I straddled his lap. Gazing into my eyes, he whispered, “We’re going to have a beautiful life together.” He reached up, pulling my beanie off my head. Then he slowly unwound my scarf from around my neck. My fingers found the zipper of his jacket, opening it. And I pulled off his hat too. His hands slipped beneath my sweater, urging me to shed one more layer. I shrugged the bulky sweater over my head, finally in just a t-shirt.
Satisfied, Jesse pulled me into his chest and his lips brushed over mine. I couldn’t stop the contented sigh that escaped as I tasted him. My hands raced over his chest, quickly weaving into his hair as heangled his head and deepened our kiss. Our hungry sounds escalated as we dove into each other, indulging in a whirlwind of passion and love. In a few short days, this man would be all mine, and it couldn’t come fast enough. It couldnotcome fast enough.
Breaking our kiss, I reached down to push the seat button, reclining him all the way back.
He murmured, “Get back up here.”
When I stretched out against him, we got lost.
FORTY-SEVEN
Hollie
The day after Christmas
Everything was as I dreamed it would be. The scent of hair products and hot curling wands permeated my new home. Soft Kenny G saxophone tunes filled the air and a platter of leftover Christmas hors d’oeuvres and fancy cheeses with rosemary crackers sat in the middle of the dining room table. We’d spent the last ninety minutes laughing uncontrollably, sipping champagne, and having a grand old time.
Estelle lifted a Kleenex to her eyes. “I don’t know if I’m going to stop crying enough to do my own make-up.” Her nose was pink as she sniffled. “This is the most beautiful week of my entire life.”
Jackie, already primped and ready to go, rolled her eyes. “Good grief, Stell, get a grip.”
“But they are so perfect together.”
“You’re acting like this is your own wedding.”
Bea, in the “hair-chair” as we called it, giggled into her fingers. “Leave her alone, Jackie, she can’t help it.” Shereached over to grab my hand. “I’ve been crying a lot, too.” Bea fell apart when I told her I wouldn’t be leaving after Christmas. She said having a sister at the ranch while she walked into motherhood would be the greatest gift she’d ever received.
