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Mikey reached his hand out for a high five. “We can exchange Christmas lists next Sunday. But Maddie and me are kids so don’t expect too much.”
“Well, thank you,” I chuckled.
“I made macaroni necklaces last year for my dad and grandma. Do you like those?” Maddie asked.
“I love them.”
“We should hang out more when you’re here on Sundays.” Mikey mused. “You’re kind of cool. How do you feel about playing catch?”
“It’s one of my favorite things to do,” I told him.
“Yeah, Liam is cool,” Dylan chimed in. “If he lifts you over his head, he’s so tall it’s almost like flying.”
“Dinner is ready! Come on, kids!” Rose’s voice rang out from the front porch.
“Heck yes! It’s spaghetti Sunday and I can’t wait. We’ll talk more about the uncle, nephew, and niece stuff next week.” Mikey hollered over his shoulder as he darted off like a shot followed by the rest of the kids.
“That kid is something else. Rose was not kidding.” Holly laughed.
“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I got caught up listening to them being so cute then it got serious. I’m sorry I overheard.”
“I thought you might have.” Her eyes drifted across the yard. “Don’t be sorry, it’s not like it’s a secret or anything.”
“I’m here if you want another ear.”
“Thanks, maybe I’ll take you up on that. But not on spaghetti night.” I knew her well enough by now to know she was joking to cover up her emotions.
“Okay, deal.” I stood and held a hand down to her to help her off the grass.
She took it with a grin. “Have you heard? Tonight is the night. Me, my two boxes of clothes and my trusty sleeping bag are moving in.”
“Yup, I heard. I was there with Luke earlier knocking down a wall to clear space for the shop. You’ll have your own place, it’s going to be great.” Her life would start falling into order.
Would she still be interested in me?
“I hope so.” Her pretty eyes locked to mine as a small smile tipped her lips up.
“Holly, I have a feeling you’re going to have everything you ever wanted.”
She linked our fingers and swayed close. “Since I got back to town, I found myself wanting more than I ever thought I would. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt anything like this.”
“Like what?”
She took my hand and placed it in the center of her chest without answering. Her heart raced beneath my palm as her smile flickered and faded.
I pulled her in for a brief hug. “I feel it too.”
Chapter11
Holly
Me, my two boxes of clothes, and my trusty sleeping bag were ready to go. After dinner with the family, Levi and Jude drove me to their place to pick up my things. They insisted on driving me over, joking that they’d each carry a box for me and help me set up camp upstairs.
Jude pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. “Here we are.”
“We’re gonna miss having you around.” Levi was melancholy. “It was almost like back when we were kids—fighting over the bathroom, pizza Fridays, binge watchingLord of the Ringsmovies, beers on the patio... I mean, we don’t have to steal them from dad anymore, but you get the idea.”
“I’ll miss you guys too, but it’s not like I’m leaving Sweetbriar this time. You can always come over here for beer on the patio andLord of the Rings. I’ll even let you hold the remote while we argue over which of the movies to watch.”
