Page 42 of A Second Christmas Moon

“Okay.” Keena stood and tugged Brice by the arm. She giggled and took a step back. Keena bent down and rested her fingertips along Lizzie’s name. “I still miss you. They say grief changes with time and I’m starting to think they’re right.”

A few moments passed before she could continue.

“I still love you, Lizzie and I always will.” Tears filled her eyes. She sniffed and wiped away the lone tear that escaped. “I don’t think there will ever be a Christmas that I don’t think of you.”

Her gaze drifted toward Brice who had stepped a few feet away to give her and Lizzie privacy. Keena chuckled at the way Brice was watching a cardinal hop along a tree branch.

“You would have loved her Lizzie.” Another laugh escaped her as she shook her head. “The two of you would have teamed up to harass me and I wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

The thought made her smile widened then she felt a sweet tenderness appear in her heart. She traced Lizzie’s name with her finger.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For loving me so completely. For showing me what a fated mate could be, and for burning those cookies. I thought loving someone else would mean I was leaving youbehind. I promised I would love you for the rest of my life and I will.”

She paused again and had to wipe the tears from her face. She glanced over at Brice who was singing softly and kicking up small piles of snow.

“I love her so much, Lizzie. She makes me laugh, she challenges me and reminds me to live.” She kissed her fingertips before resting them against the top of the headstone. “Merry Christmas, Lizzie.”

She stood to her full height and turned to Brice who had extended her hand to her.

“You ready to head home?” Brice asked quietly.

“Yeah.” She slipped her hand into Brice’s without hesitation. She entwined their fingers together. She pulled Brice close to her as they walked along the path that led to where they had parked. Keena glanced back only once.

The wreath and flowers were beautiful and Lizzie would have liked them.

Her heart felt full at the moment. Not because she’d let go of her first love, but because she’d discovered there had always been room for another. She would carry Lizzie in her heart forever.

Hand in hand with Brice, Keena guided them to their future, leaving two sets of footprints stretching across the snow.