Page 93

“And I wanted to give my wife something.”

My heart does that ridiculous squeezing thing again.

He holds out the box.

I take it carefully.

Inside is a gold locket hanging from a delicate chain. It’s beautiful. Simple and elegant, with a tiny diamond set into the front.

“Oh my goodness.”

“Open it.”

I do.

And immediately I wish I hadn’t. Not because there’s anything wrong with it. Because inside are two tiny photographs. Maverick on one side. Shiloh on the other. My boys.

I stare at them.

“Maverick.”

“I thought you might want to keep us close.”

I look up at him.

His expression is serious now.

“I know how much your grandparents meant to you. And I know we can’t replace them.”

My throat tightens.

“But I wanted you to have something that reminds you that you have family here too. That you’re our family.”

Well. That’s it. I’m going to cry again. Apparently Christmas has turned me into a human sprinkler system.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

He takes the locket from me and moves behind me.

I lift my hair while he fastens the chain around my neck.

His fingers brush the back of my neck, and I shiver.

Then he turns me around.

The locket rests just above my heart.

His gaze drops to it.

“Perfect.”

I touch the little gold heart.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I feel kind of silly for only buying you a pair of pajamas you didn’t even want.”