She laughed and let him lead her down the hall, past the lockers and the classrooms and the memories, toward the future they were dreaming of together.
23
JILLIAN
Jillian drifted through the week after the formal, feeling like she was still on the dance floor.
Everything with Tripp had clicked into place, as if she finally had the right piece of the puzzle and now she could see the whole beautiful picture.
She helped him with the house after school, with the girls pitching in or just keeping them company. And she found herself thinking again and again how much he felt like part of the family.
Tripp ate dinner with them almost every night, making her grandfather laugh with his funny farm stories, and eating more than Jillian ever thought a human man could.
And he texted with Jillian before bed each night, like always, but their talks were more intimate now. Jillian shared everything with Tripp, from her plans for the girls’ Christmas to her worries over her grandparents, and even her dreams of the future.
And Tripp did the same. They talked about his familyand about the house on the farm that was his, just waiting for him to move into it one day. And he talked to her about his dreams for the farm—plans for updates to the barns and creative ideas on equipment modernization that honestly surprised her. Tripp had a light heart and a wonderful sense of humor, but when he was serious about something, he really was all in. She had no doubt he would make all his best ideas a reality.
The girls had their holiday activity day at school, and for the very first time, she was actually able to attend and volunteer. The high school principal brought in a substitute nurse, and Jillian put on a pretty Christmas sweater and headed down to the elementary school for the day.
It was so much fun to see the children’s art projects and serve them homemade treats. Tripp stopped in just as the winter concert began. It was so special to have him by her side as they listened to the girls and the classmates enthusiastically belting out “Jingle Bells” and “Let It Snow” to an audience of proud parents.
On Christmas Eve, he came by with eggnog and candy for the girls. Mari and Posey were excited to show him their Christmas Eve books. And Tripp surprised Jillian by giving her a gorgeous cashmere scarf, as well as matching pink Christmas sweaters for her and the girls.
“They’re beautiful,” she told him as they all hugged their soft sweaters close.
“The girl at the shop said you would run from me again when I gave them to you,” Tripp said darkly, as soon as the girls were distracted with their books again.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Jillian told him, trying not to smile.
And when he kissed her goodnight on the front porch, she found herself wishing they didn’t have to say goodbye every night.
But that was a wild thought. They had only been dating such a short time. And with all she and the girls had been through, Jillian knew in her mind it was best to move slowly, even if her heart disagreed.
Christmas morning,Jillian woke before the sun was up and slipped out of bed, amazed that the girls hadn’t beaten her to it.
She smiled as she gazed down at them in their slumber. Mari was holding her new book close to her heart, and Posey was hugging one of Jillian’s old toys, a worn stuffed cow called Sukey.
She made it downstairs and started the coffee, then decided to make some coffee cake to go with it. She put the radio on to just above a whisper and danced a little to “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” as she stirred the batter. If she wasn’t worried about waking everyone, she might have even sung along.
I guess Tripp Lawrence is rubbing off on me,she thought to herself.
But she had known that already. From her ridiculous grand gesture at his house with the boombox and the limo, to letting the boys pull their silly balloon prank, to the way she was dancing in the kitchen this morning, she had clearly learned to let her hair down a little. And only the very best thingshad come of it.
Posey and Mari were the next ones up, and they giggled and whispered so loudly on the way down the stairs that Jillian was pretty sure Gram and Grampy wouldn’t be too far behind them.
Mari helped Jillian finish with the coffee cake while Posey set the table. And by the time breakfast was ready, her grandparents were on their way down the steps.
“Goodness,” Gram said. “Something smellsdelicious.”
“Santa must have brought us breakfast,” Grampy added.
This sent the girls into a whirlwind of delighted laughter. Then everyone was hugging each other and wishing each other a Merry Christmas.
Just as they were about to sit down, the doorbell rang.
“Now that’s odd,” Grampy said with a funny twinkle in his eye.
“I’ll get it,” Jillian offered. “You all serve yourselves.”
