When we step inside the door, and I slide to a stop. Mostly because Bear is bounding for me and I need to have my footing, but also because in the corner of the living room is a Christmas tree.
Calder takes my suitcase to the bedroom and when he comes back he motions, “I kinda did something while you were in town getting ready for the party.”
I make Bear sit and give Merry a little attention before letting both of them outside. Thankfully they both hate the snow, so they do their thing and come right back in to curl up in front of the fire that Calder’s building.
I walk to the tree. “It’s beautiful.”
There are white twinkle lights on theEastern red cedar. Its strong, piney fragrance, natural density and pyramid-like crown, make for a great atmosphere. Itdoesn’t really allow for a lot of bulbs due to the soft limbs, but it can hold lights.
He pulls out a box. “For both of us to complete the look.”
Tinsel.
I start around the tree, drape it here, slipping it into the trees little pokey limbs there. The lights bounce off of it and create a magical effect on the walls. I get to the bottom of the box and there’s something that’s not tinsel. I lift a ring into the air and it throws sparkles into the room.
Calder slides in front of me. “This is a promise, a promise to you that I will always be here for you. I will listen to you. I will never make you second in my life, Kendry. You are first.”
“That’s a pretty big promise.”
“That’s what you do when you love someone.”
I know it’s fast. And I know it’s crazy, but this man has repaired my heart, filling in the cracks, some I didn’t even know were there.
I slip the ring on and it’s perfect. “How did you know my size?”
“Ester told me what size she thought you were.”
Everyone in this town wants Calder to be happy, too. That means something to me. I need this foundfamily. I want to have people who will look out for my happiness… like he does.
“It’s perfect, Calder.” I hold it up and admire the lovely pearl with a small spray of diamonds on either side.
“I don’t expect you to be perfect. I just expect you to be mine.”
“I am yours.” I cup his face. “I love you.”
“You do?”
I stopped loving Derek a long time ago. Maybe I didn’t really love him the way he needed or maybe he couldn’t love me the way I needed, but in my heart, I know that this is what I need.
“I do.”
He drops his head and nuzzles into my neck. “I love you, too.”
I’m home…
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And prepare for the Spice Spice Baby series and the story of Henry and Willa, Rachel’s bestie. Don’t worry, Rachel will get herstory in 2026, too!
Henry
Seven-year-old Ben deserves a mother who'll stick around, not another woman who'll bolt when things get real.
That's why I've kept my distance from the curvy brunette who walks into Spice Spice Baby every morning, her smile never quite reaching those haunted eyes.
