He turned toward his truck, and then turned back. “I just had a thought. What if you drove straight to Virginia Beach on Saturday morning?”
“That’s a long ride to get there before noon. I hate driving in the dark.”
“What if I drove?”
“You mean… come with me? To Virginia Beach?”
“Yeah. I’ve never been there. It’s a party, and I’m great with people. Especially old people. Besides, it’s a long ride. Wouldn’t it be more fun together?”
“I don’t know.” She wasn’t sure what to think. “This is a little strange, don’t you think?”
“Not really. It’s Christmas. Who wants to be alone on Christmas? I’ll be a complete gentleman.” He held up a three-fingered salute. “Scout’s honor.”
She wasn’t entirely sure that’s what she wanted either, but why not? He was a nice guy. And having company would make it a much easier trip, since she had to come all the way back to the mountains afterward.
“The Hilltop party starts with a talent show. The staff, and some of the patients, entertain. Last year one of the ladies sang, and I swear you’d be hard to convince me that she wasn’t Carol Channing herself. She was adorable. She sang ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ and she wore this big boa and one of the nurses handed out these blinking fake diamond rings the size of Ping-Pong balls. It was funny.”
“That sounds like a complete hoot. I’m ready. Let me squire you to the event.”
“Oh, that sounds a little hoity-toitier than the level of this celebration. It’s not that fancy, but that being said,ifyou come with me, there’s a condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You have to give Mom a pretty Christmas corsage. She adores flowers.”
“I’ll pin it to her robe myself.”
That was fun to imagine. Wouldn’t Mom just adore getting flowers from a man as handsome as Tucker. “You drive a hardbargain. Some people dance when the talent is a musical number, not to Christmas carols, of course, but you know real songs,” she explained. “Will you dance with me?” She really thought he’d balk, and she was really just trying to push his buttons, but to her surprise, he looked completely delighted by the idea.
“Sure,” he said. “I’ll even dance with your mom.”
Stunned, but completely enamored by the sweet thought, she barely knew how to respond. “Okay, now that I’ve got to see. I’m gonna warn you… she will probably lead.”
“That doesn’t surprise me at all.” His eyebrow lifted slightly.
“Are you saying I’m bossy?” She held up her hand, stopping him from answering. “Scratch that. I don’t even want to know. It is going to be funny, though, because Mom is about four foot something these days. She’ll come up to your belly button.” Just picturing her petite mom dancing with this tall, rugged fireman was enough to crack her up, but at the same time, it was sweet.
“I’ll let her dance on top of my feet, like my nieces do. No problem. You are a little controlling. Anyone ever tell you that?”
“That’s just a nice way of saying bossy.” She looked toward the North Pole. “Did you hear that, Santa? He’s not being nice to me.” She crossed her arms and gave him that “so there” look.
“No fair. If there’s coal in my stocking, I’m holding you personally accountable,” he said.
“You had better neaten up, then. Haven’t you heard? Santa knows when you’ve been bad or good.”
“I plan to be very good.”
She could tell by the look in his eyes that him being very good could be very bad for her.Dear Santa, I’ve been very good all year long, and I’m trying to keep it that way, but this is very tempting. Please don’t let me get my heart broken.
Chapter Twenty-three
Sheila paced her room, thinking about Tucker and her change in plans. They’d be leaving Saturday morning together. Natalie was never going to believe this.
Things are moving so fast. Too fast?
Don’t read too much into it.
He’s another man who wants children. Why set myself up for a replay of what happened with Dan? But there are other ways to have children in your life. Is it really a deal breaker? Was it even the reason Dan left? He said it wasn’t. Oh, Mom, how I wish you were still yourself. I need you so much right now. My life is just not what I thought it would be by now.
