Me:I didn’t say it was her.
Grammy:Am I correct?
Me:Yes.
Grammy:There’s been talk.
Me:I’m not sure if things will work out.
Grammy:I listened toSelena Tremblay’s podcast. What does she call herself?
Me:Selena T.
Grammy:I remember now. She said to follow your heart. Do that, and you’ll have no regrets.
Me:Thanks. I will. I love you.
Grammy:Right back at you, kid.
“Step one accomplished.” Elias patted Higgins. “Stay here and warm up.”
Elias put on his outerwear and boots and stepped outside into the snowstorm. No doubt his shoveling efforts had been for naught, but he’d tried.
The wind blew. Snowflakes hit his skin like icy daggers. His clothes and gloves kept the rest of him toasty warm. He focused on his steps. Each one brought him closer to Tasha. Pinewood Lane wasn’t long, but he was happy when he reached the last cottage.
He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. Berry Lake was his hometown. It had been the place where he grew up and now lived. He’d been given everything and never had to stand up for himself. Oh, sure he’d done it for clients like Missy Hanford, but never himself until recently. But he’d realized something else. His job wasn’t the reason he’d been feeling stuck. It was his life. He’d made the decision to work so much. He’d let his job dictate everything. And that was on him. But meeting Tasha and Higgins had shown him how much was missing in his life. The two made Berry Lake feel like home in a way nothing had before. Elias didn’t want to lose that feeling, lose them. He would stand up for what he wanted, for them, and do whatever it took.
On the porch, he brushed the snow from his shoulders. His finger hovered in front of the doorbell. His long exhale floated in the air. “Follow your heart.”
Elias jabbed the button.
The door opened. Tasha stood wearing socks, holding a steaming mug, and a shocked expression. She froze until she ushered him inside.
Tasha closed the door. “Is everything okay? Higgins?”
The words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat again.
Follow your heart.
“Higgins is fine. I’m not.” There, Elias had said it. Not everything, but that was a start. “I hate how things happened between us. I made a mistake, and you forgave me. So, I’m standing here, dripping snow on the floor, wanting to know if you’ll give me a second chance.”
He ran through the mental list in his head. That covered what he wanted to say. Except…
“I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready for whatever’s between us to end.”
She bit her lip. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
Elias hadn’t known what she would say, but he hadn’t expected her to offer him a warm beverage. “Sure.”
As “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey played, he pulled off his gloves and boots. Next, he removed his hat and jacket. If she asked him to leave, he would have an extra minute or two to plead his case while he put on his outerwear.
Colorful gas flames danced in the fireplace. The tree was lit up in the corner. Very Christmassy.
He did a double take. The ornament he’d given her hung front and center.
I have a shot.
Prepared to aim, he sat on the couch and rubbed his palms over his pants.
