Page 251 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“Well, what did you expect them to think when you dragged me up here?” I tease.

“Stop it,” she whines.

I gather her up in my arms and hold her, chuckling.

The rest of the day is everything the holidays should be—fun, laughter, family, and love.

By the time we get up to leave, I’m ready to get my girl all to myself, but equally, I don’t want the day to be over. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this welcomed and content. But with my arm around Sienna’s shoulders, we say our goodbyes and head out to our awaiting car.

It’s only for a few hours; the Wentworths have a full day planned for tomorrow. Although, despite my argument that it’s not necessary, they’ve had to change them because they usually spend the morning after Christmas hiking. I told them over and over that they could still go. I hate that they need to make allowances for me, but they were insistent. So, instead of a hike, we all agreed to a more gentle stroll around town.

I’d have loved to have gone hiking, but I really don’t want to go back to work after the break and immediately piss off Darcy. Regardless, I’m looking forward to getting to know the area a little better. It might not be where Sienna grew up, but it’s a pretty good second best.

“Today was a good day,” I say as I slide under the covers and gather Sienna’s naked body up in my arms.

“Yeah,” she agrees. “It really was.”

“Your parents are great.”

“The best. I’m very lucky to have them.”

Agreement rumbles in my chest as I think about my family and what they’ve done today. Did they even, for the briefest moment, think about me?

“What was your Christmas Day like as a kid?” Sienna asks, as if she can read where my mind has gone.

I roll onto my back, and she curls up at my side, resting her head on my chest.

“It was the best,” I say, letting my mind drift back to better days with my family. “We’d all have to work—the cows and horses didn’t care that it was the holiday—but we’d all get involved and get it done as fast as possible while Mom prepared dinner.

“Once we were done, we’d lock the front door and shut the rest of the world out for a few hours.” As I think back, a small smile pulls at my lips.

“Mom was a fantastic cook; she’d make us a feast, then we’d do gifts, and then spend the rest of the day playing. Kinda like today, to be honest.”

“It’s the only way to do it.”

Suddenly, my brain drags me out of the past and throws me headfirst into the future.

Sienna and me in a house, a couple of kids and a dog running around. The excitement levels are sky high, and Christmas decorations are everywhere. I want it. I want it so fucking badly.

“Do you think you’ll ever find a way to fix everything that’s happened between you?” she asks, dragging me from that perfect little fantasy.

“Honestly, I don’t think so. They’ve been unable to accept my choices this far. I’m not sure that will ever change,” I admit sadly.

“Your mom and sisters still reach out, though, don’t they?”

“Yeah, every now and then. I don’t always reply. They have a way of making me feel guilty for what I did even without meaning to.”

“Have you been back home since you left?”

“No. I’ve never felt like I would be welcome.”

Sienna tenses beside me. “Maybe you should.”

Honestly, I think about it every now and then, but I’ve never been brave enough. If I were to turn up and they made it clear I wasn’t welcome, I think it would break me.

But now, I wouldn’t be doing it alone. I’d have Sienna at my side.

And if I’m being honest, I really want to go back where it all started with her.