“This isn’t falling apart. It’s a speed bump at best. I’m sorry about your mom and I can only imagine how she must’ve been before Alzheimer’s began stealing her away. Sheila, I know that’sgot to be heartbreaking, and as for your ex: he’s the fool.” He reached for her hand, squeezing it. “I don’t plan to follow in his footsteps.”
Orene swung open the door. “I thought I heard voices. Is everything okay?”
They both said, “Yes.”
Orene laughed. “Sorry to interrupt.” She spun around. “You two kiss or something.”
They laughed as the door shut.
“Do you think she’s peeking out the window?” Tucker asked.
“Oh, I’d bet money on it.”
He raised his brow. “I’ve been wanting to do this anyway, and this is probably the right time.”
She looked puzzled, but when he pressed his lips to hers, she softened in his arms and responded in a way that lifted his spirits.
“Wow,” she said, as he opened his eyes and looked into hers.
“If I had to ask Santa for one gift, I’d ask for a chance with you,” he said.
“Do long-distance relationships ever really work?”
“I don’t know. I’m no expert, but I think if two people are meant for each other, anything can work. Can that be our gift to each other for Christmas? That we’ll give this a shot?”
“I gave you a present. You’re holding it.”
“Yeah. I guess I am. You didn’t have to do that. When did you have time to do this for me?”
“I made the time,” she said. “It was important to me.”
He pulled the soup out of the bag. Around the neck of the mason jar she’d hung the ornament from Joe’s Christmas Tree Farm. “From when we got my tree?”
“It was a really special moment for me,” she said.
“I’m glad. You should keep the ornament as a keepsake.”
“I want you to remember it too.”
“I will.” He pulled her into his arms. “See. This is what I love about you. You’re sweet and thoughtful. Genuine.”
“And still a little hurt. I am. I can’t help it.”
“I’m going to make it up to you.”
Chapter Thirty
Sheila practically floated back into the house. It was amazing how this visit with Natalie, which Sheila had considered a favor to her best friend, had turned into so much more. This town, these people, they brought an energy back into her life that had been missing. All the big houses, fancy cars, and money didn’t hold a candle to the simplicity of the joy she felt right now. Tucker was an unexpected gift. Even if it went no further than friendship, she wouldn’t have missed this for the world.
Sheila walked inside, her stomach still doing elegant ice-skater spins from that kiss. Breathing in the last itsy bit of his aftershave that lingered on her cheek, she stopped feeling as guilty as a teenager sneaking in after curfew when she saw that Orene was sitting on the stairs smiling at her.
“You were eavesdropping.” Sheila pretended to be shocked.
“Flat-out watching through that side glass window. That was one heckuva kiss!” Orene held her hands to her heart. “I love the two of you together. That wasn’t just a mistletoe kiss. You saw fireworks, didn’t you?”
Sheila let out a breath. She was tempted to play it down, butshe couldn’t. She raced over to the stairs and plopped down at Orene’s feet. “Saw them and felt them all the way to my toes!”I look forward to doing that again. Soon.She covered her face, giggling and almost embarrassed at how incredibly elated she was. “It was so nice.”
“I could tell from here. Honey, I’m so happy for you. Couldn’t happen to two nicer people. This is turning out to be the most precious Christmas in all my years,” said Orene. “One I won’t forget, the way we’ve all pulled together to help the Jacob family, the best Christmas Tree Stroll in the history of this town, and love. So much love.”
