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He grinned into the dark.
Well… I wouldn’t put it past her.
He pushed open the heavy door and stepped into the embrace of his home. Warmth rolled over him like a living thing—thick with the scent of roasted turkey, cinnamon, pine needles, and a faint vanilla sweetness that always seemed to cling to Sage.
I wonder where that comes from?
Her voice drifted from the kitchen, low and smoky, singing something soft and soulful. The notes wrapped around him, rich as bourbon, making the hair on his arms rise.
Damn, she has an amazing voice.
Sage had declared the post-Christmas cleanup hers alone. When Isabelle and Annie tried to help, she’d planted her hands on those lush hips, eyes bright and kind, and said sweetly, “I love you both, but, over my dead, curvy, tattooed body.” Mary Sue had actually thrown her head back and laughed—full, surprised—then kissed Sage’s cheek and told everyone else, “You heard my daughter. Let’s leave these two in peace.”
There’d been happy tears, tight hugs, the kids squealing over the new SUV while Annie looked mildly terrified. Isabelle had guided them all in, Mary Sue promising to “sleep like a grizzly on a mission after this busy day” before following. Brutus had chosen that exact moment to yawn hugely, earning a pointed finger from Mary Sue and delighted giggles from Lily and Ethan.
Sage had kissed them all goodbye with fierce affection, then disappeared inside like a woman on a holy mission. Cal had watched her go, chest tight with something too big for words. It felt like a gift she was giving them all.
Mary Sue had been the last to leave. She’d come back to him on the porch, looked up with those sharp, loving eyes, and said, “Merry Christmas, honey. I love you,” pulling him into a hug that smelled like coffee and rosewater.
“Merry Christmas, Mama. Thank you for coming.”
She nodded toward the house. “That girl is the best thing you’ll ever have, son She’s been so good for you.” She looked off into the moonlit forest. “For all of us,” she said softly.
Cal grunted, his throat thick. “I know, Mama. I know.”
He kissed her hair. “Love you.”
He took a breath. Mary Sue waited, patient, as if she already knew.
“I’m going to propose to her.”
Mary Sue’s smile had lit up the night. “I know. Hurry up. I want grandbabies by next Christmas.”
Cal smiled fondly but his eyes looked away as he rumbled, “Mama… I need to tell her. About everything. My life before her…about things…you don’t know and—.”
She’d squeezed his big hands, voice dropping to a whisper. “Then tell her. Tell her and anyone else Cal. Let these demons go baby…you don’t need them anymore!”
His eyes watered as Mary Sue looked deep into him. “You deserve to be happy baby.”
Cal nodded and remained silent.
Mary Sue smiled as she looked into the house where a young woman named Sage danced and cleaned for people she clearly loved.
“But don’t be surprised if she doesn’t treat it the way you think she will.”
He’d looked at her, confused.
Mary Sue had laughed—rare, bright, unstoppable—then tugged him down to kiss his cheek. “Cal Meridian… Sage is a force of nature. She’s a survivor.” Her breath warmed his ear. “She loves you, baby. None of your past will change that. No matter how dark.”
Oh Mama… I want to believe that.
She’d given his hand one last squeeze, patted Brutus, and climbed into her truck. Cal had stood there long after the taillights vanished, snowflakes catching in his lashes, heart hammering with equal parts fear and hope.
Inside, Sage’s voice rose again—clear, sweet, calling him.
Now standing in the entryway, Cal closed his eyes and felt his heart and body react to the woman he loved, singing in a warm whiskey voice that made his toes curl.
Santa, sugar… leave a little something under the tree for me
