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“Thank you, thank you.”
“That’s amazing!” I smiled at him, lightly clutching his forearm as he sat down. “Absolutely amazing.”
“Thank you.” He flashed me one of his dazzling smiles as Luke continued.
“And I think I speak for all of us when I say, Summer—”
My heart leaped into my throat and my eyes widened.Me?
Luke continued, “She has done an amazing job of providing care and support for our three rascals while we were planning the Helix celebration—which has taken us away more than we would like. Summer, you have been a breath of fresh air—no pun intended—and we could not have done this without you. In just a few weeks, the impact of your kindness, your love, and yourpresencehas been incredible, and I know I will forever be in your debt.”
“Yes!” Bonnie cheered suddenly, tears forgotten as she clapped her hands together.
“To Summer,” Luke said, raising his glass.
“To Summer!” Around the table, my name was uttered with such love, raised glasses, and bright smiles from the children. Even Tabitha watched me with warmth in her eyes, and a knot of emotion coiled in my chest.
“Thank—thank you,” I managed hoarsely as warmth stung behind my eyes. Never in my life had I ever had anything like this, and with the twinkling lights, Christmas music, and the scents of all the food, it felt like a dream.
“Alright, let’s eat!” Luke declared, and chaos broke loose as I gathered my emotions and held myself back from bursting into tears.
Dinner was exactly as expected. Lots of food was consumed, terrible jokes were told by all, and at some point, someone (Kane) flicked some nuts across the table at Ava but refused to own up to it. We ate, laughed, and talked until the candles in the center of the table had nearly burned out and each child yawned so wide you could almost see right down to their bellies. After a dessert of cake, custard, cookies, and pastry, we retired to the lounge to watchThe Muppet Christmas Carol, and then it was bedtime. Luke, Theo, and Jax scooped up their children and headed off to tuck them into bed, so I gathered up some dishes and headed into the kitchen to help Tabitha with the cleanup.
“Nope!” No sooner had I entered that Tabitha scooped the dishes out of my hands. “Go, relax. It’s your Christmas too!”
“I can’t leave you to clean all this up,” I said, shocked.
“Me? Oh, sweetie no, the resort will send people tomorrow. I’m off to have a sherry and video chat with my bingo girlies before they get too drunk to answer the phone,” Tabitha chuckled. “Don’t you fret dear; it’s relaxing time foreveryone.”
I eyed the bright spark in her eye and couldn’t keep the smile from my face. “Okay, well if you’re sure.”
“I am! You can’t work all the time!” Setting the dishes down, Tabitha turned and flapped her hands at me. “Go! Shoo!”
“Okay, okay!” I laughed.
“Also…” Tabitha clasped my hand on her way past and her wrinkled face beamed up at me. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Whatever you’re doing. Luke hasn’t spoken like that in years; none of them have so whatever you’re doing… thank you.” With that, Tabitha patted my hand and vanished, leaving me in the warmth of the kitchen.
Was it that noticeable? I didn’t know them beforehand but if I pictured how they were when I first met them, compared to how they were now… there were subtle differences. With everyone else wrapped up in their own nightly routines with the children and bingo buddies, I poured myself another glass of wine and wandered through the lounge and out onto the deck.
It was a small area wrapped in a railing to stop any small child wandering off the edge. Twinkling lights wrapped around the wooden beams above and pearlescent netting draped down from each corner post gave a cozier feel despite the bite of the cold that drifted over the snow-covered mountains. I added a log to the blazing firepit, gathered up the thick blanket, and settled into the wicker couch, nestling among the thick cushions. Just beyond the glow of the lights, snowflakes drifted down from above, and I sipped lightly on my wine, watching each one dance through the air.
It was beautiful. This place was stunning, and I couldn’t keep the smile from my face as my heart brimmed with love. This was what Christmas was supposed to feel like. Good food, good people, love in the air. Theo, Luke, and Jax trickled into my thoughts and my smile bloomed wider, unable to keep in an excited giggle. Did they feel the same? After that speech and the attention earlier, they had to feel the same. I couldn’t be the only one where the lines between lust and love blurred.
I closed my eyes and tipped my head back, soaking up the warmth from the fire and the blanket in between the light tickle of the cold air. This place, these people, thisdreamwas heaven, and I never wanted to wake up.
A light buzzing caught my attention, and I opened my eyes, lifting my head to scan around. It wasn’t until the second buzz that I realized it was coming from me. Seeking out my phone, I pressed on the screen unsure who would even send me a text this late, and then something awful caught my eyes. Nestled between the Christmas well wishes from Roger and his wife was a text from Felix.
Did Jax enjoy his present? Didn’t even say thank you but I’m sure it’s made Christmas a real riot? Right? Call me, or maybe I’ll dole out another gift.
Present?
My blood ran cold, and not from the biting wind that grew around me, tearing at the edge of my blanket and the strands of my hair.Present.No… did he mean?
Jax’s attack.
