“Where should I go?” I whispered to myself.
I decided to drive through downtown Blowing Rock to see if anyone was around. The festival ended an hour ago, but a handful of couples were walking around the park, enjoying the serenity of the twinkling Christmas lights.
That was what I wanted with Jake. I wanted it so bad it felt as if I’d explode. We were so close to being together, but yet so far away. If only I could find him.
I parked behind the gallery and ran across the street to the park. All was quiet, except for the rustling of the wind in the trees. The water fountain where I’d made my first wish was on the other side of the park. It just so happened I had a nickel in my jacket pocket. Like last time, I had no clue how it got there. Then again, with everything that had happened during the past couple of weeks, it didn’t surprise me.
When I arrived at the fountain, no one was there. The coins shimmered like magic under the Christmas lights, just like they did the night I made my wish. Margaret had already said goodbye to me, but I had to believe she could still help.
Closing my eyes, I clutched the nickel in my hand. “I feel like I’ve searched an eternity for Jake,” I whispered. “Please help me find him. He needs to know that I love him, that he has my heart.”
I tossed the nickel into the water and opened my eyes, releasing the breath I’d been holding. The moment the coin settled onto the bottom, my mistletoe sent a jolt of warmth through my entire body. I could feel something pulling me away from the fountain, like I was a magnet being drawn to another.
I knew not to fight it, but to go along with the pull. A new level of excitement buzzed within me, giving me a sense of hope. The force beckoned me down the stone path toward the gazebo that was still lit up, the lights twinkling against the green and red of the mistletoe.
It just so happened that the gazebo wasn’t empty. Someone was sitting inside . . . it was Jake.
His eyes widened when he looked over and saw me. “Lydia. What are you doing here?”
I didn’t bother with a reply. I ran up the stairs and when he got to his feet, I jumped in his arms. “I love you, Jake. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” Without another breath, I closed my lips over his, feeling the tears fall down my cheeks. The heatfrom my mistletoe pinned on my sweater grew more intense and I deepened the kiss, loving how right it felt.
Jake pulled away first and clutched my face in his hands, his forehead resting against mine. “I’ve been dying to hear you say that.”
He wiped away my tears and I laughed. “Better get used to it. I plan on telling you every day.”
His brows furrowed. “What happened with Max?”
I shook my head. “There was never an option between you and him. It was always you. I wanted to tell you, but I had to figure something out on my own. It had nothing to do with my feelings for you.”
Jake smiled. “So, you choose me?”
“Yes,” I breathed. “Always.”
He kissed me once more. “I’m never letting you go again.”
26
LYDIA
Christmas Eve
Ten days.
That was how long it’d been since I told Jake I loved him. It was also how long it took for my world to do a complete turnaround . . . in an extraordinary and amazing way. Jake and I had been inseparable, almost as if we’d never been apart. Our lives together were just beginning.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” Regina exclaimed as I walked up to the receptionist’s desk at Willow Creek Village. She had on her jingle bell earrings like she always did on Christmas Eve. She pointed at the bakery box in my hands. “What you got there?”
My stomach growled. “Blueberry muffins for my nana. I’m going to steal one when I get to her room.”
Regina grinned. “Your nana is something else. You should see her and John walking around here together. It’s got some of the other residents wanting to find love, too.”
“I don’t blame them. It feels good to have that someone to wake up to every day.”
She snickered. “I bet. Your nana says you’re seeing Jake now. He’s such a cutie.”
“That he is,” I agreed. “I hate that he couldn’t come with me today.”
“Who knows,” she said with a wink. “Maybe there will be wedding bells in your future.”
