Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
I nod thoughtfully. “I know.”
He kisses me again, and then leans up to put his boots back on. “Do you work tomorrow?”
I’m watching him tie his laces. It’s late, but I had hoped he would spend the night. I swallow through the closing of my throat. “Yeah, a half day.”
“How about I come get you and we go to the farm to pick you out a tree?” He pulls me up from the couch and holds both of my hands in his.
I start to nod, but then stop. “There’s no reason for you to pick me up. I can just drive out there.”
He’s already shaking his head. “No. It’s supposed to snow tomorrow. I’d rather just pick you up to know you’re safe.”
His arms are wrapped around me and a shiver goes through my body at his possessive words. I finally nod my agreement and he bends down to kiss me. “I hate that I have to leave. We’ll be busy the next few days and I had to get someone to cover for me to come over tonight.”
“It’s fine, no big deal.”
“It is though. I would love to wake up with you in my arms, honey.” He hugs me tightly and places a kiss on my temple. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stand in the open doorway with the cold breeze brushing my bare arms. I watch until his truck disappears down the road.
Cane
Driving home, loneliness and a heavy heart fills me. I should have told her. I know I should have, but fear that she would turn me away stopped me. I know that I could never be with someone that didn’t want or wasn’t ready for kids so I should have just told her and left. The only thing is – I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t walk away from her.
When I get home, the front door of the house opens and little legs start running toward me. I bend down, laughing as I pull Mason up into my arms.
“Hey, son, what are you doing home? I figured you and your mom would be at the ski lodge right now.”
My ex-wife and I share custody of our son. He is everything to me. He’s five years old and he’s been my whole world since the day he was born. We alternate holidays and this Christmas was his mom’s turn.
“I told Mom I wanted to be at the tree farm for Christmas,” he says matter-of-factly.
I cringe. I bet Stacy didn’t like that. “What did Mom say?”
“Oh you know, she packed everything up and drove the few hours to the tree farm. I couldn’t deny him.” She is standing in the open doorway watching us.
“I’m sorry, Stacy,” I tell her honestly. I know that probably upset her. She had planned this trip for a while.
“Oh, it’s okay. I like the tree farm too. Anyway, I’m going to the hotel and if it’s okay with you, I’ll be back tomorrow. I thought we could share this Christmas.”
“Yippee!” Mason hollers before jumping from my arms to his mom’s.
“Of course, yes. That would be great!” I tell her honestly. It was rough for awhile, but it’s been almost four years since the divorce and we have worked through most of our bad history together. We are friends now.
“Great!” She kisses Mason and sets him on the ground. “See you boys tomorrow then.”
“Dad, can I have some hot cocoa?” Mason asks before running into the house.
I follow him a little slower. Thoughts of Candy fill my head. This is definitely going to change things.
Chapter 7
Candy
I’ve been looking forward to going to the tree farm since last night. Until I got the text from Cane telling me that he had something come up and needed to stay at the tree farm. I volunteered to drive out to help him, but with the snow coming down, he didn’t want me to risk it.
“What’s happened to you since this morning?” Tom asks, leaning against the door to his office.
I shrug my shoulders at him. I try to smile but I know he can tell it’s fake.
He walks over to my desk. “C’mon, Candy, you were all smiles this morning. Now you look like you’ve lost your best friend.”
I look up at him and my eyes tear up. I can’t help it. I thought this was going to be a great Christmas Eve. Now it looks like I’ll be spending it alone again. “Cane was going to come and get me to go to the tree farm, but he can’t get away.”
“Well, you can’t spend Christmas Eve alone. Let me take you out there,” he offers. “I need to get my mom a wreath anyway. I can just drop you off.”
I stare at him, wondering if it’s really that easy. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I could drive.”