A sign appeared ahead: WELCOME TO JUNIPER HOLLOW.
The town stretched out beyond it, nestled between rolling hills and towering evergreens dusted with the remnants of an earlier snowfall.
My stomach fluttered unexpectedly. I guessed it was because this was really happening. And because I'd expected to spend Christmas alone, just like I’d done for years. But now I was here. With him.
The cottage sat on the edge of town beneath a cluster of tall pines.
When Thane parked, I found myself staring at it for a second before either of us moved. The place looked exactly like the kind of cottage someone would put on a Christmas card. White trim. Stone chimney. A porch wrapped in evergreen garlands. Lights twinkling beneath the roofline. It looked welcoming before we even stepped inside.
"Okay," I said slowly.
Thane looked amused. "Okay?"
"Either we've accidentally driven into a holiday movie, or somebody spent an unreasonable amount of time decorating."
His laugh followed us as we climbed out of the SUV.
Cold air brushed against my face. The scent of pine lingered in the breeze. By the time we reached the front door, I was already smiling. My smile widened the second I stepped inside.
The cottage glowed with warmth.
A Christmas tree stood near the fireplace, decorated with white lights and handmade ornaments. Garlands draped across the mantel. Stockings hung above the hearth. A basket filled with local snacks sat on the coffee table beside a handwritten welcome note.
For several seconds, I simply stood there, taking it all in. The cottage felt lived-in. Welcoming. As if somebody had decorated it because they wanted people to feel at home. It wasn’t painful, but it hurt the way memories sometimes do.
Strong hands settled around my waist. I hadn't even realized Thane had put down the bags.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly.
I leaned back against him. For a moment, I simply enjoyed the warmth of his body pressed against mine. The security of it. The simple fact that someone was holding me.
"My mom used to decorate for Christmas." The words came quietly. I wasn't even sure why I said them.
He pressed a kiss against the side of my head. The gesture warmed me more than the fire crackling in the fireplace.
Eventually, we carried our bags upstairs. The bedroom was just as cozy as the rest of the cottage.
After unpacking, we showered and changed clothes, then headed back to the living room.
Thane wrapped his arms around me from behind again. Apparently, he had decided personal space was optional. Not that I was complaining.
His chin settled on my shoulder. "You've been staring at that tree again."
"I have not."
"Yes, you have." The amusement in his voice made me smile.
I rested my hands over his. "This doesn't feel real."
Thane turned me around slowly until we were facing each other. The lights from the tree reflected in his eyes.
"Good," he said quietly.
I blinked. "Good?"
A smile tugged at his mouth. "Because it doesn't feel real to me either."
Before I could answer, he kissed me. Slowly. Warmly. The kind of kiss that made me forget whatever I had been thinking about before it happened.
