Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
I lower my brow the way she did earlier when she was imitating me. “Watch it. Don’t make me punish you later.”
“All talk, no action.”
“You know that’s not true.” And now I’m more determined than ever to tie my wife to that bed and torment her until she begs me to let her come. “So is that a yes on shopping?”
“Sure, it’ll be fun. And I do want to pick up a couple of things for you.”
“That’s not what we’re here for. We’re here for you.”
“And I happen to care about making sure you have lots of Christmas presents.” I’m not the best at expressing my feelings, and I wish I could tell her so she’d understand: I don’t need anything. I don’t even want anything beyond her. Her safety, her health, her happiness. I want a life with her. All the gifts in the world don’t mean a thing when compared to what she means to me.
But being generous makes her happy, too, and I could never rob her of that. “Very well. I guess we’ll have to part ways at some point.”
“I’m sure you’ll live.” She’s smiling happily by the time our amuse-bouche reaches the table, so I’ll take that as a win. And even though I won’t bring it up again if only to keep the mood light, I won’t forget that haunted look she wore when she didn’t think I noticed. Or how distracted she’s been since I returned to the suite earlier.
I’m supposed to be the one carrying shit around inside me, not her. I’m the one fighting every day with a gnawing sense of loss and regret that’s barely softened over the past year. Ren was my brother, someone I believed I could trust. Until he decided to attack my wife and push me down the stairs. A part of me still doesn’t want to believe it. I still want to come up with an excuse for him, which is more credit than I think I’ve ever given anyone except for the very closest people in my life.
Unfortunately, the fact that he’s managed to avoid being found for the past year tells me this wasn’t a mistake or an accident, a spur-of-the-moment type of thing. More like something planned out in advance. Is someone helping him hide, and even more so, why would they?
There I go again, letting him get in the way.
If he’s a traitor, he doesn’t deserve a minute of my energy, and until I know otherwise, that’s all I’ll be able to see him as.
“That’s not all I had planned for tonight,” I warn her as we leave the restaurant after a two-hour-long meal that was more of an experience than a mere dinner. From beginning to end, it was nothing less than exceptional.
She pats her belly, laughing. “Whatever it is, I’ll need a minute to digest some of that food. Twelve courses! I’m surprised the zipper didn’t break on this dress.”
“Don’t worry. This is nothing too physical.” The maître d’ and I exchange a glance, and he heads to the door after giving me a knowing nod.
Aspen gives me a suspicious sort of look after I help her with her coat. “What do you have up your sleeve?”
“You’ll see. Remember, I’ve had time to plan this.” We step out into the icy air, our breath immediately forming a fog around our heads. But that’s nothing compared to the fog from the pair of horses walking our way, pulling a sleigh I reserved to take us back to the lodge.
“Now, it’s not exactly the same sort of sleigh Santa drives,” I tell her when she gasps, her face lighting up. “And Rudolph was unavailable tonight, probably getting ready for the big show in a couple of days, but this will have to do.”
“Unbelievable. They’re so beautiful!” She beams at the driver, who nods in silent recognition.
“What do you say? How does a sleigh ride through the snow sound?” There’s no need for me to ask, considering she’s already climbing in. I can’t help but be charmed by her excitement, which is probably why I go out of my way to come up with ideas that I know will excite her like this. Maybe it’s selfish of me, but I want every minute we spend together to be one she can look back on happily someday.
A couple of thick, fur-lined blankets wait for us, so I make sure Aspen is tucked in before wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. I nod to the driver, and he lightly touches the reins to the horses’ backs. Aspen squeals softly when we start out, causing a bubble of laughter to escape me.
“This is magical. It’s so perfect.” Our eyes meet, and hers are shining. “I love you so much.”
“And that’s only half as much as I love you.” I kiss the tip of her nose, which is a little red, thanks to the cold. “And that’s why it bothers me when I see something bothering you. All I ever want is to make it better.”