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I nod. “It’s short for Henry.” This nickname I know. “It’s of German origin. Means ‘home leader’.”
He hums. “Interesting.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Not really. Though it was made famous by Shakespeare, so that’s kind of cool. It’s how I learned this one.”
“You like Shakespeare?”
“I like to read.”
He asks, bringing his other hand to cup our joined ones. “So many things I still don’t know about you…”
“Same,” I say softly. “I mean, about you. I know me.”
He smiles. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing we have more time now. No end date…” He trails off pointedly, dipping his gaze to our hands. He smooths his thumb over my knuckles. “That is, if you still want me? All of this. Staying here. My baggage…”
“Nolan, I wantyou,” I tell him fiercely.
He glances up at me.
“Mountains and all. I didn’t come to Vermont to make you leave. I came here to…to stay.”
His green eyes glimmer. “Mountains and all?”
I nod. “You being a father doesn’t change that. Neither does you being an alcoholic. You were always those things. But you were always so much more too. You still are. From where I’m sitting, nothing’s changed.”
His face tightens, and he reaches up, grabbing me by the back of the head. “God, I’m so happy you’re here,” he rumbles.
I grip his waist, just as he leans over, dropping his mouth to mine, only to pause at the last possible second.
“First thing’s first then,” he says.
“What?”
“We get you your meds.”
Oh.
I give as much of a nod as I can, my top lip brushing his.
“And then I’ve gotta tell Mel.”
My lips rise just as he crashes his mouth to mine.
“I’m never letting you go again,” he growls against me.
I bite his lip. “Never ever.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
NOLAN
“You’re in a good mood today.”
Closing the oven door, I set the tray of cookies on top of the stove to cool.
I slide off the oven mitt, and turn to find Mel watching me curiously from the other side of the kitchen. She leans back against the counter, crossing her arms, eyes twinkling like she’s in on a secret.
I shrug. “It’s Christmas Eve.”
