I brush my mouth against his. “And I’m yours.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
CALLUM
Pride practically bursts out of my chest as I meander through the crowd gathered at Holley Ridge for the annual tree lighting ceremony, shaking hands and giving hugs to all the locals who’ve become like family to me over the past year. It’s a stark contrast from how I felt during last year’s ceremony, standing off to the side, thinking all of this Christmas frivolity was excessive and a waste of money. I never could have anticipated being back here this year.
And I certainly never could have anticipated being here because I’m madly in love with the woman who owns it.
Over the past year, I helped Parker realize her dreams of turning this place into a full-service resort while still keeping the charm and individualized service it’s known for.
She’s not the only one I’ve helped, either.
Instead of focusing all my efforts and capital on finding properties on the brink of foreclosure and convincing the owner to sell, I’ve started a second company whose sole mission is to be an angel investor for struggling businesses, much like I did with Parker. Now my days are spent finding businesses on the verge of bankruptcy and in need of a miracle. I give them that miracle.
As long as they have a viable business plan and meet a demand in the community. I’m not about to invest in a clothing line for nudists.
I still have my real estate development firm, but now we’re selective in the pieces of property we try to acquire. No more swooping in before foreclosure and convincing someone to part with the land that’s been in their family for generations. Not now that I’ve finally realized the human aspect of these types of situations.
I used to think the mark of success was earning as much money as possible. Success looks different now. It’s having a career I can be happy with. That makes me feel fulfilled. And I’ve never been as fulfilled as I am now.
All thanks to Parker.
She brought me back to life, made me feel again.
She often jokes I was a Grinch when we first met, that my heart was two sizes too small. There’s a kernel of truth to that. And just like the people of Who-ville helped the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes, Parker helped my heart grow.
And it still grows every day I’m lucky enough to spend with her.
“There you are.”
At the sound of that sweet voice, I snap out of my thoughts and I watch Parker saunter toward me. There’s something about seeing her in her red wool coat, blonde hair cascading down her back in loose waves, and that red lipstick that steals my breath.
Even after a year.
“Sorry I’m late.” I pull her close, tipping her chin back and pressing my lips to hers. “My flight was delayed.”
While Parker and I made the decision to move in together earlier in the year, and into a house away from Holley Ridge, forcing her to separate her work life from her home life, I still do travel from time to time.
Not as much as I did before, though. I no longer feel the need to be gone all the time so I don’t have to face the fact that I’m alone. I’m never alone anymore.
And I couldn’t be happier.
“Well, you’re here now.”
“I am.” I wrap my arm around her as she moves to my side, both of us looking out over Holley Ridge.
“It’s even more beautiful than I could have imagined,” she murmurs.
“It certainly is.”
Now that Parker no longer has to worry about how to pay the mortgage on the property, she was able to afford some much needed upgrades to parts of the Christmas festival, some of which were hanging on by a thread.
The North Pole area is bigger than it was in the past and no longer has chipped and faded paint. She even added more decorations all around the lake so people can take an evening stroll and enjoy the lights.
“Shall we?” she asks after a beat. “There’s still one thing missing from all of this.”
“Of course.” I lean down, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Then we make our way through the growing crowd toward the unlit tree.
