Page 21 of Christmas in Budgie Bay

“I wasn’t saying that to make you feel guilty,” he murmurs gently. “I am only explaining that you can trust me with your pain. I understand it and can support you through yours.”

It’s moments like these I really hate myself for running from a man like Upton Asbury. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I’d have toughened up and stayed. Could we have been a happy family all along?

“I don’t know how I’ll ever forgive myself,” I rasp out. “I stole so much from you.”

He shakes his head fiercely. “Bygones, Sandy. It’s in the past. I have you in my life again, something I never thought I’d have. And then there’s Nora, too. My life is so good now.”

Hattie arrives with our drinks. They both are so pretty. I’ve always marveled over those who make art of food and drinks. I inhale the vanilla-honey scent of my latte before plucking the gingerbread heart out of the whipped topping. Then, I use the cookie to scoop up more cinnamon-dusted whipped topping and take a bite. Sweetness overload. Yum.

Upton chuckles when I groan in appreciation. He sips his drink and then nods, grinning at me.

“Want to try mine?” he asks, pushing his cup toward me.

“Absolutely.”

I hand him mine and then taste his. The maple and orange flavors are rich. His is delicious as well.

We spend the next few minutes praising Hattie’s expertise when it comes to all things coffee and desserts. I’m happy for the reprieve from the heavy subject that is my life. Upton tells me about a group of kids he saw up the road building the biggest snow budgie he ever saw and even shows me a few pics on his phone. It makes me wonder what kind of grandpa he’ll be to Nora’s baby.

The best.

That much I’m certain of.

All too soon, it’s time to go back to Wild Petal. Upton tosses our trash and then we both get bundled back up. He opens the door for me and then takes my hand once we’re both outside. I note that we’re both walking as slow as possible, neither of us willing to part ways.

When we reach the center of the road, I slip on a slick, icy spot. Upton is quick to hook an arm around my middle, keeping me from crashing head first to the snow-covered pavement. I shiver in his arms, not because of the cold, but because of how warm his touch feels.

How right and perfect it is.

“Sorry,” he murmurs, hot breath against my hair near my ear. “Reflexes.”

I relax my back against his chest for a few seconds longer than necessary. “Don’t be sorry. I appreciate you not letting me break my nose on the pavement.”

“Your nose is too pretty to mess up,” he teases. “My reasons were less than noble, Sandy.”

Reluctantly, I pull away from him and flash him a smile over my shoulder. “Were you always such a charmer?”

“I charmed my way into your heart, didn’t I?”

That he did.

He walks me over to Wild Petal, but we don’t yet part ways. We face one another, his bigger body blocking the blasting cold from me. I notice he’s always doing little things like that. Making sure I’m safe and taken care of.

“I want to see you again,” he says, voice soft. “Sooner rather than later.”

“I don’t have Janey tonight.” I frown at him. “Otherwise…”

“I could come over and cook for you both. I’m not half bad in the kitchen.”

I remember.

There were many nights when I’d stay over that he’d cook me the most delicious meals. We were playing house back then. No labels, just love. But then life got complicated. Nora was the reality check I needed to get my head out of the clouds.

“If you must,” I say with a smirk.

“Oh, I must.”

We stare deeply into each other’s eyes until I hear the bell jingle on Wild Petal’s door as Isabel unlocks it. Flirting time is sadly over. Upton dips down and kisses my cheek, so close to my mouth, I nearly gasp. He chuckles and I can smell maple and oranges. Bet he tastes delicious too.