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“What? Why?”
Even as Charity asked those questions, she already knew the answers. Noelle’s car was in the driveway, as was a Misty Mountain police cruiser that she was guessing belonged to Noelle’s boyfriend, Enzo. Plus, her mom’s car was there.
The sounds of laughter drifted out to Charity as she stepped from her car, which she’d parked at the curb. Through the curtains on her bay window, she saw the sparkle of lights and immediately knew what was happening.
“Surprise!” they called out as she entered.
Her mom, Noelle, and Enzo were standing near the tree. Each of them held one of Charity’s coffee mugs. Gracie was nowhere to be found.
“We came over to decorate,” Noelle explained.
Her mom stepped forward to give her a one-armed hug. “I know you’ve been so busy helping everyone else get ready for Christmas, you didn’t make time for you. Oh, and we made eggnog.”
“Non-alcoholic, of course,” Enzo said.
“And if you’re worried about Gracie, she’s outside,” Noelle said.
Probably noticing the panic in Charity’s expression, her mom rushed to add, “Don’t worry. She’s not alone out there.”
What? Who was out there with her?
As if in answer to her unspoken question, the door to the patio burst open and Gracie came rushing in. She raced for her owner, who was already kneeling to greet her. That was why it took her a few extra seconds to notice the man coming through that door.
Nic Winters.
“Our work is done,” Charity’s mom said, looking around. “I say we get out of here and let these two have a nice evening alone.”
Charity looked at Noelle, tilting her head slightly. “You knew all this was going on when we were planning our girls’ night?”
Noelle laughed. “No way. Nobody knew this guy was coming to town.”
“I surprised everyone,” Nic said. “You can blame me for the decorations too.”
Her mom spoke up then. “He tracked down Noelle, who called me, and we all planned this together. I had to let them in and show them where you keep everything.”
“We put all the boxes back where they belong,” Nic said. “Don’t worry.”
He was still standing just inside the doorway, never having strayed too far from the door to the patio. He was even still wearing his coat. It was like he was afraid to settle in because she might send him on his way.
“Let us know if you need us,” her mom said, giving her a hug goodbye and handing her the coffee mug.
That seemed to propel Nic forward. He grabbed Noelle’s and Enzo’s mugs and thanked them as they followed Charity’s mom out the door. It was all Charity could do to keep Gracie from chasing out after them. She had to run defense while still holding the coffee mug filled with eggnog.
Once the door was closed behind everyone and they were finally alone, Charity turned to face Nic. “You came all the way back to Misty Mountain to put up my tree?”
He took a deep breath and turned, mug in each hand. He headed straight for the kitchen. Charity followed, Gracie running around and nearly tripping her a couple of times.
Only as she reached the kitchen did Charity realize what was up with her dog. Nobody had given her a treat when she came inside. Charity set the mug on the counter next to the sink and grabbed a chew stick from the cookie jar. That sent Gracie on her way, sure to at least keep her occupied for a half minute or so.
Nic set the mugs in the sink and stepped back, standing against the area of the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room area. “I quit my job. It wasn’t just because of you. Or maybe it was. Spending time here in Misty Mountain made me realize how much I’ve given up of myself since leaving town eight years ago. I’ve let people walk all over me instead of fighting for the respect I deserve.”
He quit his job. She was having a hard time processing this new information. Was he here temporarily until he found something else?
“But it’s not just that.” He faced her fully now, hands clasped in front of him. “I don’t belong in Lexington. I belong here in this town with you. It doesn’t matter what I end up doing for a living. This is where I want to build my life, my home, my family. With you.”
Had she fallen asleep at some point? Was she dreaming? Going back as far as she could remember, he’d been sure he would never, ever stay in Misty Mountain.
“You don’t want to be stuck in this town.”
