He goes quiet though, and suddenly it hits me that there might be something genuinely uncomfortable for him in Meg’s baby pictures.
“I know Erica was part of your life for a long time,” I tell him. “She’ll be in those photos, and it won’t bother me a bit.”
“Really?” he asks.
“Really,” I tell him. “I’m grateful to her, you know?”
“Why?” he asks.
“Well, first of all because she brought Meg into the world,” I say. “With your help, of course.”
He nods, a faint smile on his lips now.
“And secondly because she set the bar extra low for me,” I tease him. “I just have to stick around and I’m absolutely killing it in comparison, right?”
For a second there’s only silence and I go cold, terrified that I’ve crossed a line. Does he still love her? Is it still too soon to joke about her leaving?
Then he roars with laughter and the blood rushes back into my body.
By the time we get up the mountain to the long driveway of the farm, we’re both laughing and singing along with the radio.
I grab the bag of presents that I had stowed at my feet, and hope that no one minds books for Christmas. I didn’t have time to shop anywhere else, but I put a lotof thought into each gift. I guess this will be the test of how well I really know Roan and his family.
As soon as we get inside, everyone greets us and Meg pulls me into a big hug. She releases me, but her grandmother is right there to wrap me up in her arms while the dog circles us like he’s trying to herd us all together.
“We’re so glad you’re here, Taylor,” she says. “I owe your parents a big thank you for letting us have you today.”
The mention of my parents makes me miss them, but I know they’re having fun with the rest of my family.
“Who’s ready for gingerbread pancakes?” Roan’s dad yells out.
The whole family moves to the big table, and the next thing I know, we’re passing around bowls of fruit and a carafe of heated maple syrup.
There’s a moment of complete silence as we all give thanks before digging in.
Then there’s chatter and laughter over the clinking of silverware.
This family is good at lingering over meals. Phil brings out more rounds of coffee and pancakes while everyone relaxes and catches up.
When it’s time for presents, I’m relieved that my gifts are received with great enthusiasm.
Roan’s family gives me a big box that I certainlywasn’t expecting, and inside is the warmest looking coat I’ve ever seen, with a fluffy, faux-fur hood.
“Oh, wow,” I groan, cuddling it like it’s a puppy.
“You’re an Angel Mountain girl now,” Ellie says firmly. “So you need an Angel Mountain coat.”
“This is the best present ever,” I tell her, meaning it.
“My dad has another present for you,” Meg blurts out suddenly, her eyes shining.
I look to Roan and his jaw is tense again, almost like the day we met.
I wonder what’s got him so on edge.
“But we need to set something up first,” Phil says, hopping up from his chair.
“Wow,” I say. Whatever this is all about, they’ve clearly put some thought into it.
