Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 19091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
It was perfection.
“As much as a teenage boy can like a girl, I suppose,” Haydyn replied.
“You don’t think teenagers can fall in love?”
He grinned at me. “I think it’s a different kind of love. I think … the right girl will come along for Michael when it’s time. I had to wait thirty-seven years for mine, but I’d have waited thirty-seven more. And so will Michael. It’s just … everything feels bigger when you’re a teen. Everything’s so life or death. I wouldn’t go through all that again if you paid me.”
I was still glowing from his “I had to wait thirty-seven years for mine.” Snuggling deeper into his side, I shrugged. “As lovely as that is, I don’t want him to have to wait for anything. I want him to have what he wants. He’s had a crush on Callie forever.”
“Maybe she’ll come around.” Haydyn shrugged. “There’s a bit of a legend going around, though, about the Adair family.”
I’d heard of it. “That once you fall in love with an Adair, you’re a goner forever?”
“That’s the one.”
“Well, I don’t believe it. I think the Barr men can give the Adairs a run for their money.”
He grinned down at me. “I guess we’ll just need to wait and see.” Then he kissed me. It heated quickly and Haydyn reached for my mug, putting it on the side table so he could pull me more thoroughly into his arms.
We were so busy making out like teenagers that we didn’t hear Michael walk in.
“Oh, gross.” His voice cut across the room. “Aren’t you both too old to be doing that?”
Haydyn and I broke apart, and I shot our son an affronted look. “How dare you? What age do you think I am?”
He grinned, seeming much more like himself after his talk with his father. “Old.”
“Thirty-one is not old.”
Michael poured himself a glass of water. “I hate to tell you this, but it kind of is, Mum.”
“Wait until you’re thirty-one. I think you’ll have a different opinion then.”
“Aye, aye, that’s ages away.” He threw back the water. “Carry on, if it makes you feel young.”
“Santa is taking back all your presents!” I called quietly after him.
I heard his soft chuckle before he disappeared, and I turned to Haydyn. “You’re a good dad.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”
“Because he’s better after you talked to him. I love you so much. You know that, right?”
His voice was gruff. “I love you too. More than I knew was possible.”
“Thanks for letting Michael hire me all those years ago.”
My husband grinned at the reminder. He’d since told me that he planned from the moment he opened the door that morning to absolutely not hire me because he was too attracted to me. “My son always was smarter than me. But don’t tell him that.”
Laughter fell from my lips, and Haydyn ducked his head to swallow the sound with his kiss.
After another delicious wee make-out, I rested my head on his shoulder and we gazed at the Christmas tree lights. My fingers caressed the necklace he and Michael gave me our first Christmas together, and I thought of my parents. The sadness I felt didn’t hurt as much now. I knew wherever they were, they could see I was more than okay. That Haydyn, Michael, and Willow had given me family again. That I was just as loved by them as my parents had loved me.
Knowing they knew that gave me peace I hadn’t realized I’d needed.
“Happy Christmas, Haydyn,” I whispered.
He kissed the top of my head and murmured, “Happy Christmas, my love.”