My need to please everyone is in overdrive, and it’s difficult to admit that it’s an impossible feat.
“They don’t deserve a second thought after how they’ve treated you,” Shep states, tracing a line along my jaw. “In my opinion, you shouldn’t partner with a company that ignores your limits. You have every right to set boundaries, even if it means taking time off on short notice. If they can’t respect that, you’ll find others who will.”
“Thanks for standing up for me. It’s not my strong suit,” I admit.
“Always, sweetheart. You’ve got a heart of gold, and some people will try to take advantage of that. The key is to be willing to put yourself first every now and then and not feel guilty for saying no when it’s necessary.”
God, I had no idea how much I needed to hear that. I’m still a little flustered, and the sting of rejection won’t disappear overnight, but Shep has shown me how to process it without letting it take over. I’ve faced criticism in the past and have let other people’s opinions make me feel like a failure and that I was letting people down. I’m quickly learning that my mentaland emotional peace have to come first. At the end of the day, my priority has to be making the best decisions for myself and letting everything else fall into place after that.
In the future, I’ll definitely be taking more time off while making sure I use my team and resources to keep everything running smoothly. The business is successful now, and I don’t have to carry all the responsibilities like I did when I first started.
I place my hands on his shoulders, rising on my toes to kiss him. “Okay, no more doom and gloom. What’s next on the agenda? Are we going back to the cabin?”
He’s kept our plans under wraps like a scavenger hunt for adults but without the clues, and each surprise so far has topped the last.
“Not yet. There are a couple more stops. The next one’s just down the block,” he says cryptically.
“Lead the way, cowboy.”
He takes my hand, guiding me down the street until we reach a toy shop.
“Here we are,” he says, smiling as he gestures to the sign above. The Wooden Wagon is scrawled in black cursive, and the chains holding it against the archway look ready to give way.
“What are we doing at a toy store?” I ask.
He’s shared how painful the thought of never becoming a father is and for years has stayed away from the pond on his land since it reminded him of what might never be. So it’s a little bewildering to see him now, about to walk into a toy store like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Shep takes off his hat, running a hand through his hair. “After Ma passed, someone else in town took over organizing Secret Santa for the homeless shelter, but I still wanted to find a way to contribute in her honor. So I built a big toy chest for the staff at the shelter to keep in the storage room and everycouple of months I stock it with presents they can give out for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. I always fill it on Christmas Eve, just in case any children were missed by Secret Santa.” A faint blush colors his cheeks, as he glances at the ground. “You mentioned one of your favorite traditions is picking out gifts for children who could use a little holiday magic, so I figured we could get some toys to drop off at the shelter.”
Shep might hide behind a mask of indifference, but his actions speak louder than his words.
I give him a broad smile. “I’d like that very much.”
He opens the door, ushering me inside. The place is bustling with people navigating crowded aisles, grabbing last-minute gifts for Santa’s big day tomorrow.
“Welcome in, Shep. Figured I’d be seeing you today,” the clerk calls out with a grin. “I even cleared out some room for your things on the counter.” He waves to an empty space behind him with a little flourish.
Shep gives him a curt nod. “Thanks, Jonny.”
He grabs two carts, pushing one toward me, letting me lead the way down the first aisle filled with stuffed animals and plushies.
“Fair warning, I don’t believe in shopping on a budget,” I say over my shoulder as I toss a floppy-eared bunny into my cart. “I sure hope you brought your big spender energy.” I add two unicorn plushies to my load for good measure.
I spin around to find Shep watching me, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You drive a hard bargain. I might have to reconsider my early retirement plan.”
“Earlyretirement? You’re practically there,” I tease.
He playfully glares at me. “I’m gonna let that one slide for the kids’ sake. We’ve got lots of shopping to do and not much time.”He drops an armful of dinosaur plushies into his cart. “And don’t worry, there is no budget.”
It’s as if time stands still and the noise of the shop fades away.
I’m falling for this man.
His grumpy disposition, the playful banter, and the unspoken acts of kindness are responsible for him capturing my heart without warning. All I can think about is how lucky I am to have stumbled into his world, and I’m not ready to say goodbye. There are countless questions about how this could work or if it’s even possible, but I want to take the chance. For once, I’m ready to prioritize myself and my own happiness—consequences be damned.
The trouble is, Shep has hinted at wanting me to stay after Christmas, but he hasn’t come right out and said it. As much as it pains me to hold my feelings in, he needs to take the leap this time, without me coaxing him. Committing to being together is a big step, and he has to choose this—choose us—on his own terms. All I can do is hope that we want the same things, and that he’s ready to step into the unknown with me.
Dick The Halls
