“No. I never left her alone with him, but the thought I may have married him and put her in a situation freaked me out.” She started shaking again. “I decided then she was my absolute priority and I’d worry about dating after she was grown.”
His arms reached out on their own accord and drew her to him. “I should have been there.”
“She was unharmed, and Ray won’t see the light of day for a long time. That’s what matters.” Her words were muffled against his chest.
He didn’t move until he no longer felt her shaking. Even then, it took immense strength to pull away from her. “We should get back in before rumors start.”
“Rumors?”
“Mom thinks we might be confusing our emotions for romance.”
She choked on her protest. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous,” he echoed.
Yet neither one sounded convinced.
Chapter Twelve
Christmas music played from Pawpaw’s vintage record player. Hot cider mulled on the gas stove top, and Serena sliced cheese to add with a platter of crackers. Christmas Eve was vastly different than any other year she could remember.
She wanted every last detail to be perfect. This would be Cecily’s first Christmas with her dad, and it had to be special. Their laughter drifted in from the family room. Pawpaw sang a goofy rendition of Jingle Bells before Lucas then Cecily joined him. Another round of laughter tickled her ears when Lucas carried a high-pitched note as loudly as he could.
Singing as she went, she carried two trays of snacks into the living room and set them on the coffee table. She finished it off with a piercing, “And a partridge in a pear tree.”
Her goofiness worked and they all laughed again.
“Wrong song, my dear.” Pawpaw’s blue eyes sparkled. “But you had a good idea. Let’s sing that next.”
They sang through all twelve gifts, then launched into three more songs, not stopping until their throats were dry. Pawpaw made the kitchen run this time and came back with hot cider for each of them.
He cleared his throat after taking his first sip. “I have an announcement to make.”
It had to be good news. Pawpaw would never give upsetting news on a holiday. She cupped her mug and waited for him to speak.
“After I finish this cider, I’m going to stroll down the street to Millie’s house, and if it’s okay with you and Cecily, I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
She pumped a hand in the air, forgetting about her cider until it splashed onto her elf leggings. “I knew it.”
Pawpaw grinned. “I take it you approve.”
“Not that you need my approval, but you have it wholeheartedly.” She couldn’t stop her smile. “I thought there was a lady friend. I don’t know how I didn’t figure out who.”
“What about you, Cecily?” Pawpaw cast a look toward his great-granddaughter.
Cecily’s eyes gleamed. “Will that mean I get bread pudding more often?”
“I believe so.” Pawpaw winked. “First, she has to say yes.”
Serena stood up and moved next to him. “If she has any sense at all, she will.”
“Say a prayer for your old grandfather. I haven’t been this nervous since I asked you grandmother to marry me.”
“And think of all the happy years you had together.” Serena patted his shoulder. “Call us and tell us what she says.”
“I will.” He set down his mug, leaving it half full.
“Go get your woman, Pawpaw.” Cecily beamed, smiling and cheering him on.
