Page 34 of Postmarked December

A high-pitched squeal came from the other end of the line. “That’s fabulous. I’ve been waiting for you to find someone wonderful. You deserve happiness. And right at Christmastime too. As if he was handed to you with a big bow on his head—maybe miracles do exist. When can I meet him?”

“I only just met him,” she said with a laugh. “Maybe give me a couple more days.”

“I can whip up a double date in minutes. Believe me, Anthony and I would love the diversion.”

“I’ll let you know.”

The idea of going public with any kind of relationship was daunting. She’d have to eventually tell Nick about who she was. She wasn’t the famous one, and her life went on pretty uneventfully, so hopefully he’d be okay with it and take a few media mentions in stride. Once they’d landed, she’d give him her number and see how things progressed. Then if they got serious, she’d tell him everything.

She told Marion she’d check in again later and opened her journal.

What have you cooked up, Toby? How are you doing this? While I love the gesture, I’m also struggling with it. I wouldn’t be out doing all these new things without you, but just when I’m starting to move forward, your next note pulls me back to my old life, and I miss you all over again. My heart can hardly handle the push and pull. While I love the idea of moving forward, and I’m open to loving again, I can’t quite get myself to commit, and your letters make that struggle a bit harder. I miss you so much.

She closed the journal, got ready for bed early, and called in room service for dinner. Then she crawled into bed.

Would she have to wait until she saw Toby again at the end of her life to find out how he’d done all this? There was a time when she’d hoped that day would come sooner rather than later, but now, she wasn’t so sure. Nick had a hand in changing her mind. And, while she was still getting used to the idea of moving on, she couldn’t wait to see where things went next with him.

She’d told him she’d meet him in the lobby tomorrow at nine, to head to the airport. He’d said he’d have a car waiting for them. Then they’d be off, “back to reality,” as he said. But what would that reality look like when she got back and woke up every morning in the apartment she’d shared with Toby? What would the New Year bring? Despite her trepidation, an unusual sort of hope had taken hold, and she was actually excited to find out. Sure, there was a part of her that worried about how she might handle another relationship, about whether she’d be ready if things moved along. But she’d never know until she took the plunge. And while she didn’t have it all planned out, very carefully, she was going to take the next step.

Chapter Fourteen

After checking out of her room, Heather met Nick in the lobby. He was holding two paper coffee cups, his coat draped over his arm. He handed her one, and as he got close, she noticed how his oatmeal-colored sweater brought out the green in his eyes.

“I ran to the shop down the road and got you a honey latte. I remembered you ordered one at the restaurant.”

“Thank you.” She couldn’t deny the fizzle of happiness that he’d remembered such a small detail about her. “How thoughtful.”

He grinned at her. “It’s cold out there. You’ll need it.” He rolled his bag over from beside the front desk first and then took her large suitcase for her. He opened the door, ushering her into the icy air before rolling her bag outside.

As promised, he had a car waiting. The driver hoisted their bags into the trunk, and she climbed in. Then they were off.

“Sleep okay?” Nick asked as the car inched its way into traffic.

“Surprisingly well, thanks to you.”

“To me?” He tapped his chest.

“I don’t think this trip would’ve been the same without you. I had a lot of fun, for the first time in a long time.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” The fondness he exuded toward her took her breath away.

They settled into a comfortable quiet, and the driver filled the silence with small talk, but her mind was busy. How unexpected that she was in her lowest state during the holiday, and Nick had dropped in like some sort of Christmas gift. If someone had asked her only a few days ago if she was ready for even one date, she’d have run in the other direction. But now, she was thinking of all the things she and Nick could do together after they returned home. She liked the slow way he’d made friends with her and then the gentle build of affection. It was natural and undeniable.

Was this the beginning of something incredible? With the dawn of a new day and a fresh perspective, she wondered if Toby could be working on her life from up above. Was that possible? He’d certainly want her to be happy, and it would be just like him to create something magical for her. Did he have the Big Man’s ear upstairs after all?

When they pulled up outside the airport, Nick helped her check in her bags and they walked together to their gate. A few minutes later, they were boarding the same flight, and just as before, he sat beside her.

As she took her window seat, she couldn’t stop thinking about how much had changed. Instead of both of them avoiding the shared armrest, he’d let her have it, and the tips of her fingers brushed his arm again, but neither of them pulled away. And to give room to the elderly woman who’d taken the aisle seat on the other side of him, Nick leaned slightly in Heather’s direction, which she didn’t mind at all.

A pang of sadness shot through her that this was their final hour together and then the world would filter back in. While they’d see each other after, their regular lives would compete for their time. She’d have to fight the urge to spend every minute with him, avoid the fact that he was her lifeline to a better future, so she could do the mundane things like get to work on time. Maybe it was for the best. She did need to be able to depend on herself for contentment before she fell for anyone.

Slow and steady. Maybe they could see each other once every couple of weeks at first and then progress to every week, and if they hit it off, she’d let him come over during the week and he could introduce her to Ophelia.

They turned their devices onto airplane mode and tucked them into their bags. She wouldn’t need a phone or her book for this flight. She wanted to give Nick her undivided attention. The flight attendants performed their safety demonstrations, and the plane maneuvered to the runway. Before long, they were in the air.

“What’s the first thing you’ll do when you get home?” she asked him.

“Pick up Ophelia from the neighbor’s and take her for a walk and a Tail Wagger.”