Page 34

Geez, am I a kid again? This is weird. I didn’t think this could happen.

I wonder how that’s going to work tonight. I’m already so nervous just seeing him. I clear my throat because I did come in here for a reason.

“I don’t mind being stuck with you,” he adds. “In fact, I love it. This might just be the best Christmas ever with you, Jenna.”

I bite my lip and run my hand over the horse he’s brushing, then change the subject because I’m so nervous. “We’ve got to run into town for supplies. Apparently, there are things we need that only you and I are supposed to get. My family loves to meddle if you haven’t noticed. They’re not going to stop until they drive us to the brink of insanity.”

He hangs up a lead on the wall and turns to me. “I can deal with meddling. And I’d love to go to town with you.”

“You would?” I ask. I figured he’d be running for the hills right now.

“I’ll drive us,” he offers with a smile.

“I can drive,” I object.

He shrugs. “Whatever you want. But we’re going to get your car dirty with that list.”

“Fine. You can drive.” I laugh despite myself. “I just don’t want things to be awkward between us. Or with Tucker.”

Ty glances around, then walks toward me. He picks me up, wraps my legs around his waist, and leans me up against the wood wall. He presses his lips to mine and kisses the hell out of me.

Umm...wow.

He doesn’t stop there. His lips devour mine and his hands cup my jaw, his thumbs tracing my neck.

I moan, leaning back as he kisses my neck. He then whispers in my ear, “Let’s get the awkwardness out of the way, shall we?”

“Okay,” I murmur, out of breath.

“And just so you know? I talked to your brother. He’s not entirely cool with all of this yet. But he’s coming around.”

I’m running out of excuses. I am falling for him even harder.

Bridger Falls somehow looks even more magical than yesterday. Fresh snow blankets everything. And according to the weather app, we’re going to get even more, which is why we needed to get supplies. Every storefront glows with warm white lights and has fun painted Christmas themes on the windows.

Ty says begrudgingly. “It’s beautiful here.”

“You sound about as unhappy about that as I usually am.”

“I kind of am.” He laughs.

“You hate Christmas too?”

“I don’t hate Christmas,” he objects. “But it’s not my favorite time of the year.”

I pause, because this is interesting. “Usually everyone I know loves Christmas and thinks that I’m the Scrooge. Or the Grinch, as my brothers call me. Christmas stopped being special for me when I was little.”

He looks over. “I hate the expectation that Christmas brings.”

“I get that,” I murmur.

“What about you? Why are you a Grinch?”

“Christmas makes me miss my Mom,” I say softly.

He looks over at me as we drive down Main Street and places a hand on my arm.

I glance out the window and back at him. “Why is Christmas hard for you?”