She places a gentle kiss on the uninjured side of my mouth. “Same. I know that now.”
No words have ever meant more to me. “It’s about time.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
BREE
There’s nothing like existing in wide open spaces. Most of the fall leaves have, well, fallen, exposing gangly trees hibernating for winter. A rare snow flurry came through last night, leaving a light dusting of white on the terrain. It’s gorgeous and feels like an omen, telling me this is the right thing to do.
Wade insisted we drive back to Texas for the holidays since we had plenty of time, citing how road trips help him relax. I suspect it has more to do with him wanting me to himself for the two-day trip, before we arrive at the ranch where he’ll have to share me with his family.
We talked about everything and anything. He insisted on holding my hand for most of our trip, as if I might disappear in a dream if he let go. I’ve never felt so loved and cherished by a man before—such a drastic contrast to how Chase treated me.
Rebecca turned out to be correct. They suspended Wade for the last three games before the holiday break since the altercation resulted in a player getting knocked out, even though it wasn’t a regulation game. However, Chase Langston is officially no longer playing hockey.
Thanks to Rebecca putting the article in the right hands, Lily and her mysterious connections, and then Sophie’s stellar interviewing skills, the news went viral in the ECHL world, which revealed more of Chase’s shady activities.
The Texas Stars dropped him like a hot potato, and just before we left town, I heard Amber had as well. Guess she doesn’t find former hockey players interesting enough.
Karma is real, people! The thought makes me laugh out loud.
“What’s so funny?” Wade hands me a cup of coffee as he sits in the Adirondack chair next to me. The back porch—more like a deck—faces the lake situated between the house and a copse of trees. Every morning, a deer and her fawn approach to drink, so we’ve started having our coffee out here so we can watch them.
“Karma.” I sigh, inhaling the aroma of chicory and cardamom while snuggling my down jacket closer around my neck.
He chuckles, letting me know he’s tracking my thoughts without me even saying a word about the interesting turn of events since we left Sarabella. I absolutely love it when he does that.
“Yeah, well, you know what they say about her.”
“Only if you’re mean. Karma can be a force for good, too, you know?” I squeeze his hand, loving how he wants to touch me all the time, as if I’m his source of peace and strength, and he can’t exist unless he’s connected to me. And every time he tells me he loves me, his voice takes on a reverent kind of wonder, as if he’s waited his entire life to speak those words to me, which I suppose, in a way, he has.
I just hope he’s okay with my big surprise. I’ve spent weeks on the phone with Nana, hatching a plan we’re both excited about. It’s our big gift to Wade and his sisters, one we hope they’ll love, too.
Piper and Ellie probably will. I’m almost certain of it. Seeing them again has been like the icing on an already delicious cake. My parents actually agreed to join us tomorrow on Christmas Day. They haven’t spent the holiday together in several years, of course, but when I told them about Wade and me, they readily agreed to come. I think they’ll love my idea, too.
It’s Wade I’m most worried about. He’s so selfless where I’m concerned. I know he only wants what’s best for me. But this? This might be a difficult challenge, convincing him it’s the right thing for all of us, including me.
Once we finish our coffee, Wade and I head back inside the house. He heads toward the living room to build a fire, so we can lounge and relax in the den where the Christmas tree stands.
I stop by Nana, who’s slipping another tray of her famous chocolate chip cookies into the oven. She also has gingerbread and sugar cookie dough chilling in the fridge for more baking this afternoon.
“Everything ready?”
She closes the oven door and tosses her oven mitts on the counter. “I put the boxes under the tree.”
Butterflies swarm in my stomach. It’s the moment I’ve anticipated all week. I can’t resist making a quiet squealing sound. “I just hope Wade gets on board.”
Nana gives my chin an affectionate pinch. “Don’t you worry about him, sweetness. He’ll figure it out. He always does.”
She plates several of the warm cookies and follows me into the den. Wade and his sisters are already spread out on the sectional, exchanging more stories about recent events in their lives. I love how close he is with them.
When we drove in on the first day, Nana, Piper, and Ellie walked out on the porch to greet us. Wade opened my door, like the gentleman he is, and then pulled me into his arms and kissed me, surprising us all.
I thought his sisters were going to lose it, which they kind of did, holding each other’s hands while they jumped up and down, squealing like baby pigs. Nana just stood there, smiling as if she’d known all along—I kind of suspect she did.
Wade pats the spot next to him, which I gladly oblige. He wraps his arm around my shoulders, tucking me against him as he presses his lips against my temple, inhaling and kissing me at the same time.
Ellie rolls her eyes. “Weren’t you two just together on the porch?”
