AllFreeNovel
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Pulling off to the side of the road to avoid any more traffic, I try to calm each breath. What in the fuck is wrong with me, having a hardon after almost wrecking this SUV?
My heart is pounding. I knew the snow was coming down, but I didn’t think the roads were as bad as they are.
Looking over at Willow’s pale face, I reach up and stroke her cheek. My fingers move before I have time to think about whether it’s the right decision or not, but her cheek moves against me, and it’s all the confirmation I need. “Hey, are you okay?”
A whispered, “Yes” slips from her lips. She reaches up and grabs my hand, holding tight.
“I’m so sorry, Willow. I should’ve been paying more attention.” My heart is gradually finding its normal rhythm and my main concern is her. Her face is still pale and she’s clutching onto me like her life depends on it. “Let me get us home, okay? You’re going to be just fine.”
She nods her head and lets go of my hand. I check my mirrors before flicking on my turn signal and pulling back onto the road. I set my pace slower this time. Clearly the roads are slicker than I thought. I turn left onto Willowby Lane, and then a couple of minutes later I pull into her driveway. I breathe a sigh of relief that we’re finally off these roads. Turning off the engine, I open the door to get out and hurriedly jog in front of the car to get to her side as she opens her door. I offer my hand, but she doesn’t take it immediately, and when my eyes trail over her, I realize she’s still a little shaken from the almost accident.
Slowly, she reaches out, allowing me to help her.
I watch as her eyes lift to the roof of my SUV. “Wait, where’s the other tree?”
I follow her line of sight. “It must’ve slid off when we swerved. The good news is that a tree can be replaced. You, however, are not replaceable. The weather people weren’t kidding. This snow is nothing to mess with tonight.”
She nods her head and I pull her into me as we walk toward the porch. I help her up the stairs and to the door where she fumbles with her keys, trying to open the door. “Here, let me get it.” She hands me the keys and I manage to get the door open in less than a minute. Allowing my arm to slip around her waist, she leans on me as I open the door and lead her to the couch to sit down.
“Thank you, Ol. Give me a minute, and I’ll help with the tree.”
“Don’t you even worry about it.” Grabbing a throw from the back of the couch, I wrap it around her, and then lean down to kiss her on the forehead. It isn’t the first intimate thing I’ve done today, and I bet it probably won’t be the last if I have my Christmas wish.
“I’ll be right back.” I set her keys on the table by the door and head back out for the tree. After unstrapping it from the roof, I try to shake off some of the snow before traipsing it inside and leaving behind wet floors. I swipe the blanket from the roof and bring it with me as I manhandle the tree into her cottage. I walk over to the living room and set it down in the corner where I assume she wants it to be.
Sitting down on the couch beside her, I ask quietly, “Hey, you doing all right?”
“Yes, I’m sorry I kind of freaked out. It was Christmas a couple of years ago that I lost my grandmother in a car accident because of ice. The snow started out of nowhere and all of a sudden the car slipped off the road and rolled. By the time they got her out… she was gone.”
My eyes start to tear up at the pain I’m sure she’s feeling right now. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Willow. I didn’t mean to scare you like that, but I’m so glad we’re okay.”
“It was hard celebrating Christmas that year. Every Christmas she would get the whole family together to sing carols, bake Christmas dinner, make gingerbread houses. It was something I can never forget. She’s the reason I love this season so much.” Her eyes fall to the carousel on the media stand, and I can’t stop the words before they fall out of my mouth. “That belonged to her, didn’t it?”
She looks up at me with a quirk in her brow. “How’d you know?”
“My grandparents had one similar to it, if not the same.”
Her eyes widen like she’s remembering something from a story she’s been told before. “Wait, what were your grandparents names?”
“Thomas and Charlotte.”
She smiles. “Really?”
“Yes, why?”
“I remember a story that my grandma used to tell me about this couple that she met while vacationing in Santa Claus, Indiana. They ended up having dinner together a couple of times and bought each other the same Christmas gift before leaving. If I remember correctly, those were the names she mentioned.”
I smile back at her. “Small world.”
“For sure.” Shaking her head, I can’t help but love the smile beaming across her lips.
“There’s a smile. Are you feeling better now?”
“Definitely. A cup of white hot cocoa, some Christmas jingles, and ornaments, and we can get this tree decorated. Thanks for bringing it in for me.”
“One second, don’t move. I need to grab something else from the car.” Running out, I quickly grab my bag for emergencies - clothes, a toothbrush, and my backup laptop just in case. The snow is really coming down now and I can’t get back inside quick enough. My coat is almost soaked from all the snow. After stepping back inside, I ditch my jacket and hang it on the coat rack by the front door. “Brrrr… it’s cold out there.”
I turn from the coat rack and watch her eyes as they appraise me, approval gleaming brightly. This girl is perfect for me.
