AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re sure, though?” He asks, stopping on the bottom step to look back at me. “You really don’t mind hosting Christmas here?”
I swallow against the lump in my throat. He has no idea about my latest obsession or that he just solved my dilemma with his little Christmas get together.
“Not at all, but what about your family?” I rub the small of his back as I ask, terrified of bursting his happy bubble. “Did you…want to go home for Christmas?”
Chewing his lip, he turns around and fiddles with my collar. “Well, since Dad retired,” he says in air quotes, rolling his eyes, “and is busy mucking it up with his friends to let them know it was the ‘best decision he ever made,’I think the consensus was that no one was too concerned that he’d be in a bad mood if we didn’t have our usual Christmas. Travis and Violet are going on a cruise, and…my mom said she’d like to come to your family’s dinner…by herself. I’ll finally be able to show her what a happy holiday looks like.”
John Fairway—proud even after the end. He looked defeat in the eye and had sense enough to use it to his advantage, announcing his retirement at the shareholder meeting a few months ago. I still suspect that our dark horse, Randy, might have thrown the man one last chance at sparing his dignity and given him an ultimatum. You can’t be raised by and work for a man like that without knowing his weaknesses.
He’s lucky his son did both him and their company a favor. It’s still on John to repair the bridges he burned with his children, however, but they’re not holding their breath. I’m so damn grateful to hear that this proves it.
“She’s absolutely more than welcome,” I assure him with a kiss. “And what about Randy?”
“Well…I was going to invite him and Angie, if you’re okay with it.”
“Angie? He’s really that serious about her?”
Smiling, he raises his brows. “Yeah. I know. Who’d have thought? Pretty sure he’s a goner.”
We met them for lunch last month. Angelica was a truly beautiful woman inside and out, and, from what I gathered, way better than Randy deserves for wearing blinders so long about his father. But maybe it takes the right person for us to see the light.
“I’m glad you guys are in a good place now.”
He stops on the landing at the top of the stairs and turns to face me. There’s this serene look on his face. He’s a man comfortable in his own story—it’s been my biggest concern since we moved to Wenatchee.
“Yeah. We are. I finally have a brother,” he says with a disbelieving laugh. Sighing, he steps forward and wraps his arms around me, squeezing me tight. “It’s going to be a great Christmas.”
Maybe I’ve always taken the holidays for granted. They mostly felt like an obligation or just another dinner with my family. Miranda and Craig talk orchard gossip with my dad. Craig relates stories from his trucking route. Mom is busy in the kitchen while the kids run around playing. Jesse is an idiot and then goes out and gets drunk with his friends. Cam has never had that tedious monotony, though.
As he rests his head on my chest, he whispers, “Thank you.”
I’m being thanked for giving him a safe space I did nothing to contribute to. I suddenly have a deeper respect for holidays, seeing how much they mean to him. He went on and on about how wonderful our Thanksgiving was. Dad conked out, snoring in his recliner after dinner, and Bradley ate so much pumpkin pie that he threw up, which made me want to throw up. I didn’t understand how it was such a spectacular affair—until now. He’s clinging to me like I willed him heaven.
He’s damn right it’s going to be a great Christmas now that I know his plans. There’s a certain hideously shaped succulent pot with a rainbow on it that sits on his nightstand; I decided it will be the perfect container for his Christmas gift.
I was worried it’d be the wrong time to give it to him if he planned to go to Bellevue for the holidays. I know I told him I’d take the good with the bad, but this is one memory I refuse to let be tarnished for him by any bad holiday encounter he could have had with his father. Knowing I’ll get to give it to him now in our home, surrounded by a family who loves him, and the ones from his that are up to snuff, has me more excited about Christmas than I ever imagined possible.
And maybe I am a little selfish, because as I stroke his hair, I smile to myself. I just might get my wish to be the best thing about Christmas for him this year, after all. I know that when he pulls the ring I bought him out of that stupid pot and says yes—I hope to hell he says yes—knowing he’ll be mine forever will make him the best gift I’ll ever get. Better than a three-pack of Clorox wipes by leaps and bounds.
