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Now he was intrigued. “I can handle it. Lay it on me.”
She sighed. “I know it sounds a little crazy, but Ian had a flair for the dramatic. In his will, he left me a list of things he wanted me to accomplish for him after he passed.”
“Wow, that’s…like a bucket list?”
“Kind of. By proxy. They are things he wants me to do as a sort of sendoff.”
Jared’s stomach tightened in knots. This is why she’d come back? Not because she wanted to, but because of Ian? “How many things?”
“There were one hundred and eighty, but I’m down to thirteen. Wait, twelve. I keep forgetting Olive.”
He cocked his head, giving her a puzzled look. “Olive was on the list?”
“Sort of. It was “see an old friend.” Not her specifically.”
“Do you get extra points for seeing more than one?”
“No, it’s not a points thing.”
Jared turned his back on the banister, leaning against it. “So what else is on it? Climb Mt. Everest, or something?”
Anna Beth chuckled. “No, simpler tasks. I’m not sure I want to get into it.”
Jared nodded, thinking about the letter from Ian sitting in his top drawer at home. He’d asked Jared to help Anna Beth when she came back to town, but the letter was sent two years ago. Why would he want Jared to help Anna Beth with a post-bucket list?
Still, if the list meant spending more time with Anna Beth...
“Well, I’m not trying to pry, but if you need help doing any of them, I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, Jared. That’s really sweet.”
As much as he enjoyed having Anna Beth to himself, the temperature had dropped at least ten degrees in the last few minutes and he was freezing. “It’s getting cold. We should get back inside and help with the tree. It’s a lot of fun. Dad is usually pretty liberal with the brandy in the eggnog, so one sip should warm you right up.”
Anna Beth hesitated, before taking a step toward the stairs. “Actually, I think I’m going to go back to my aunts. Will you thank your mom for me and tell everyone I said good-bye?”
“Yeah, sure. Be careful driving.” He stuck out his hand. “Here, give me your phone. I’ll put my number in.”
“Is it the same one you had in high school?”
“Yeah?”
“Then I already have it.”
The realization that she hadn’t given up on him sent a zing of excitement through Jared’s body.
“Text me when you get home.”
“I will.” To his surprise, Anna Beth walked back to him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
Jared held her loosely, afraid if he pulled her too close, she’d bolt. He breathed her in slowly, the scent of fresh baked bread and fruity perfume mingling deliciously. She relaxed against him, laying her cheek on his chest and he reached up to stroke her hair.
Finally, she pulled away with an awkward laugh.
“Sorry. I forgot what good hugs you give.”
“Well, the first ones free, but I charge five dollars per after that.”
“Seems pricey.”
