He hung up the phone and then growled. “How am I going to propose without looking like a complete nutter?” he asked the fireplace. Also, he was leaving an entire bag of oats out for Prancer. “Go ahead and poke him, you feisty reindeer. That Kringle has been nothing but trouble in my life.”
That wasn’t fair. The time spent with Lauren was golden time. He couldn’t complain about getting to be with her and for his second chance. If he needed to make her wish come true to stop this Christmas repeat, then he would.
“Time to shave.” He scrubbed his morning scruffy face and smiled.
CHAPTER19
Lauren was having a wonderful Christmas time this snowy Christmas morning. The theme of this day was family time, and she was so grateful to love and be loved. Outside, big snowflakes fell, and the meteorologist predicted a classic Christmas storm all day.
Jacob and his mom showed up on the porch, a huge breakfast in hand, and they’d spent the morning together. He touched her hand under the table, and soon they were glued to one another’s side.
Mom raised her eyebrows. “What’s this?” She swirled her finger at the two of them.
Lauren looked deep into Jacob’s eyes as she answered. “I saw him this morning, and I just knew that we should be together. I’m so glad I’m here right now.” She leaned into him, and he kissed her temple.
Michelle sniffed and swiped under her eyes. “When it’s right, it’s right. I can’t believe the two of you held out as long as you did.” She and Mom laughed.
“Remember how we used to sneak around and watch them to make sure they weren’t making out in the tree house?” Mom asked.
Lauren’s mouth fell open. “You did not!”
Michelle nodded. “You were together all the time, and we could see that you were, well, in love. We worried the best friends’ thing was an act so you could sneak around behind our backs.”
Jacob burst out laughing. Lauren elbowed him in the stomach. “What?” he asked. “They were worried, and we were angels.” He nuzzled the sensitive spot under her ear. “We should have tried making out in the treehouse. I would have loved to have seen their faces.”
She rolled her eyes. But all this talking about making out gave her an idea. She stood up and grabbed her plate. “Jacob and I will do the dishes.”
“We will?” he asked dubiously.
She nudged him with her hip. “Yep.” No one moved. “Unless you all want to help?”
“I’m going to take a morning nap.” Dad pushed his chair back.
“Collin and I have a list of must-watch movies. If we don’t get started, we won’t be able to see them all today.” Ethan picked up his son, threw him over his shoulder, and headed for the front room.
Michelle stood. “Rose, come see the Christmas orb that Jacob turned on the lathe for me this year. It’s stunning.”
Mom’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go.” They left.
Lauren put her hand on Jacob’s shoulder and smiled down at him. “Alone at last.”
He chuckled as he pulled her onto his lap. “Who needs a tree house?” He kissed her neck, and she sighed happily into his embrace.
“I’ve been dying to kiss you all morning.” He worked his way up her neck and then kissed along her jaw. Once he found her lips, he worked slowly, deliberately, and with great care, drawing sighs and moans from deep within her.
Lauren allowed herself to be lost in the moment, lost in him.
“Geeze, you guys!” Ethan yelled, shielding his eyes. “You don’t have to make up for lost time.” He grabbed the orange juice container off the table and stomped back into the living room. “Chill.”
Lauren’s cheeks burned. Getting caught by her mom would have been bad, but there was something hugely embarrassing about her big brother calling her out. She stood up and grabbed some plates. With a come-hither look over her shoulder, she invited Jacob to follow her into the kitchen.
He didn’t disappoint–and he brought an armload of dishes which earned him extra points. She plugged the sink and dumped in some soap before turning on the warm water. There was something odd about this morning. She and Jacob usually spent most of the day together before they kissed–like they had to get to know one another all over again.
He came back in with another load and stopped to wrap his arms around her from behind. “Hmm, you smell so good.” He kissed her neck. “I love you,” he murmured into her skin.
She froze in place for a heartbeat and then spun to face him. “How. How can you say that so fast? I’ve been gone for years, and we’re kissing in the kitchen, and you tell me you love me?”
Jacob lifted a shoulder. “Because I feel it.” He stated his answer more like a question. Like he was testing to see if she bought his answer or not. “Does it seem fast to you?”
