“Long-distance relationships can work,” Stewart suggested, much to her surprise.
She knew they could, but that was typically when there was an end in sight to the separation. Not when the two people lived in different cities, permanently.
“I’m just not sure what the right thing to do is.”
Removing a box cutter from his apron pocket, Stewart sliced into the tape on the next package. “You’ll figure it out, Sugar Plum. You’ve always been a great problem solver.”
When it came to numbers and figures, she had been. But this was a bigger problem than she’d ever tackled, and matters of the heart weren’t solved so easily.
The day went by quickly, and part of that was a relief. It was an understatement to say she looked forward to her evening with Holden. But saying goodbye to her parents would be difficult, and she was grateful to spend one last day with them before heading down the mountain. At least with them, she knew exactly where she stood. She knew whenever she returned—if she decided to return—they would welcome her with open, loving arms. That wasn’t the case when it came to Holden. Their relationship—though long-lasting in its own strange way—wasn’t unconditional.
She sat on the family room floor that afternoon with her mother, slicing through Christmas-patterned sheets of paper and wrapping presents for neighbors and friends. The room finally felt festive, with the tree fully decked with ornaments on its branches and gifts beneath its leafy boughs.
“How come you and Dad waited so long to put up a tree this year?”
Paula’s hand stilled. The scissors in her grip caught on the paper. “We weren’t planning to put one up at all. But then you said you were coming home, and we decided it wouldn’t feel like a family Christmas without one.”
“And now I’m leaving again before we even have the chance to celebrate. I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Don’t you apologize.” Paula slid the scissors the rest of the way. “There’s more to it than that.” She dropped her hands into her lap and gave Rachel a look that made her insides knot more than the decorative bows on the packages. “Things between your father and I haven’t been great lately, sweetheart.”
That knot tightened.
“Until recently, we weren’t even sure we would spend Christmas together.”
“Oh, Mom. I’m so sorry.” Rachel stretched out a hand to her mother’s arm. “I had no idea.”
“How could you? We didn’t tell you, and you hadn’t been home in a while to notice the change.”
“Did something happen?”
Paula shook her head tightly. “No. We just lost our way for a bit. Forgot to put the other person first. Forgot all the many reasons we fell in love to begin with.” She cupped her daughter’s hand and gave a little grin. “But we’re good now, sweetheart. I don’t want you to worry about that.”
“What changed?”
“Oddly enough, the storm brought us closer. Working at the store together and then having to stay the night there, just the two of us. It took us back to a time when we really had to rely on one another to get by. Back when we found joy in getting through the tough things together, as a team. When it comes down to it, there’s no teammate I’d rather have on my side.”
Rachel’s chest constricted. She’d found her teammate too, and yet she was going to walk away from him. It made no sense.
Around six o’clock, her phone buzzed with a text. It was from Holden. He gave her instructions to wear her warmest attire, even suggesting gloves with full fingers. She’d smiled at that.
A half hour later, his truck rounded into the driveway. She watched him jog up the porch steps, a certain golden-haired beauty missing from his side.
“No Scout?” Rachel asked when she opened the door. She closed it behind her, locking it in place.
“She’s with Lance,” Holden said. “And Sarah and Laney. Not something I thought I’d ever say.” His hand met her lower back as she made her way down the steps. Even with so many layers, the light connection still made her toes tingle. “Plus, I want you all to myself tonight. Scout sometimes has a way of being an attention hog.”
“An absolutely adorable attention hog.”
“I’ll give her that.” He held her door open, then skirted the vehicle to find his seat.
In the space between them was a picnic basket, resting on a pair of neatly folded, wool blankets patterned in green, white, and red plaids.
“Are we going on a picnic?” She had to admit, the frigid weather outside didn’t match the activity.
“Sort of.” He winked. “You’ll see.”
The drive was familiar and within no time they arrived in the parking lot of Major Hart Mountain Sports. But instead of parking in front of the building, Holden drove the truck around to the back. The sweeping view of the saw-toothed ridge, dotted with evergreens and capped in snow, was nothing short of breathtaking. Indigo skies with silver stars encased a moon so brilliant it rivaled the sun’s illuminating glow.
