Page 105 of When There Was You
“I hope…”
“What?”
He smooths a lock of my hair from my face. “I hope it will be the first of many.”
“Nothing would please me more,” I say, placing a hand on his jaw and coaxing his lips to mine.
Hemi drops a stick at our feet and Butch hurls it into the field. The dog runs after it as if it’s a side of beef. “My family loves you, you know.”
I immediately call up how they unexpectedly showered me with presents earlier. “I feel the same toward them. They’re incredibly easy to be around. You’re lucky to have them. You all blow my mind.”
“What do you mean?” Hemi returns and Butch throws the stick in a different direction.
“The way you get along, respect each other, want to hang out together. I’ve never really witnessed that kind of dynamic,” I say, burrowing my hands into my coat pockets.
Butch cocks his head, a crease forming between his brows. “It seems normal to me, and I’m sorry it wasn’t like that for you.”
“I could get used to it.”
“I could get used to you getting used to it.”
We share a knowing smile just as something wet and flaky tickles my nose. I look up and gasp.It’s snowing.
“Oh my god!” I squeal, entranced by the delicate snowflakes dropping from the sky.
“Well, would you look at that,” he says, squinting up at the heavens. “It hardly snows here, and rarely in December.”
My smile broadens as I twirl in circles, my arms spread wide as snow dances across my cheeks and hair. “I’ve never seen snow falling before. It’s magical…and beautiful.”
Butch moves close, studying my upturned face. “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”
The way he stares at me melts the ice. “Will we get a lot?”
He shrugs. “It wasn’t in the forecast. Maybe this is Mother Nature’s gift to you.”
“This day just gets better and better.” More of my happy squeals erupt as I catch Butch grinning. He’s unfazed by the snow…but not, apparently, by me.
When we return, Emmy’s running around in the new dress I gave her and dinner preparation is underway, so I hunt down his mother and ask if she wants help.
“Have you talked to your folks today, honey?” Jerri asks.
“Not yet.”
She levels me with an undecipherable look, then herds me down the hall to their home office and insists I call. “Take your time.” After she squeezes my arm reassuringly, Jerri leaves me in privacy.
I dial the number and my father answers.
“Merry Christmas, Dad.”
“Jacqui! Merry Christmas. It’s good to hear your voice.”
He sounds cheerful and isn’t slurring. “Yours too.”
“How’s your day going? You’re with your boyfriend’s family, correct?”
“Yes, the Hamiltons. It’s going well. There’s quite a crowd here, and everyone’s been so nice.”
“Did you get our gift?”
