The Plight Before Christmas(49)

“Two squeezes,” Eli murmurs to his temple before walking Peyton over to the massive windows as the early morning sun fills the room. “Look, buddy, it snowed again. Grammy is going to be so happy.”

“So happy,” Peyton concurs in a rare adult voice, his arm wrapped around Eli’s neck, his milk tucked into the crook of his arm as they both stare out at the blanket of fresh snow covering the grounds.

“Want to go outside for a little bit? Make a snowman?”

“Mep. Pease, pease.”

“All right. Drink your milk. I’ll grab your boots and jacket.” Eli gathers the coat and baby boots from the ottoman and bundles Peyton up between sips of milk before the two head out onto the porch through the den. Back upstairs, from my attic room, I watch them between the blinds witnessing up close a living dream I had far too many moons ago. It’s the daydreams that got me in trouble. Some he brought to life, some he obliterated.

Though he wasn’t verbal with his feelings, it was through acts of perceptive kindness that he showed me he cared. He knew the way I took my coffee, studied me when I was nervous about a class, covered me with a blanket when I drifted off on his couch, dried my body with tender caresses when we got out of the shower, rubbed my feet after a long run as we watched TV. Simple things that showed he was paying attention to my needs, all the while denying my want for a true connection with him.

He made love to me, often, and in that time, I had no doubt that feelings existed, even if he never spoke the words. As far as boyfriends went, he was both the best and worst of them. But it was the fact that ninety-five percent of the time he made me happy that I settled for less than I deserved.

I justified the shitty five percent by telling myself that it was a typical relationship—but it wasn’t. That ninety-five percent was blissful, while that five percent hurt like hell. The reason or cause for it lingered for years. It haunted me. I never could pinpoint what set him off, even after I had distance and needed perspective.

But the thing that haunted me most—and has always haunted me since—was the question…did he ever love me? Or was I just a temporary distraction?

The way we broke up posed those questions, which to this day remain unanswered. When I finally was able to box Eli away, I realized I’d never get those answers. Oddly enough, it seems he came here to deliver them, and I’m not sure I want them anymore.

Heart aching with memory, I can’t help my smile when I hear Peyton’s giggles ring out below. Eli’s already won my family over in the short time he’s been here. He’s still a charmer and definitely hasn’t lost his touch in that respect. It’s only a matter of time before he conquers Serena, and then I’ll be left to fend for myself. Even so, I have to be careful.

Forcing myself away from the sight of them, I resume my place in bed, determined to stand my ground despite my slip up last night. Even if he’s changed, no one can change that drastically. After all, he’s still a bachelor without a single tie binding him to anything or anyone, no doubt by choice. Even as the thought starts to cement my resolve in keeping him at a safe distance, Peyton and Eli’s mixed voices sound from below my window. Tuning in with a smile on my face, I somehow drift back to sleep.




Pound. Pound. Pound.

“Wake up, Auntie Whit!” Gracie calls from outside my door. “It snowed!”

“It snows here, Gracie,” I groan.

“No, I mean, it really snowed! A lot!!”

A dramatic pause.

“OH CRAP, GRAMPS!” Gracie roars over the peekaboo on the second floor. “Can we still go to Moonshine Mountain?!”

Groaning due to her shrieking, I pull a pillow over my head.

“Whit!” Peyton barks from the other side of the door. “Ti Whit! comere! Mere!”

The sound of the door handle turning left and right has me thankful for the lock as I toss my pillow and stare up at the ceiling.

“Lord, I love them. I do, but please, if you are planning to bless me with more patience at some point in my life, let it be today.”

Bladder screaming, I rise and crack my neck, my lower back smarting as I massage it before opening the door. Laughter spills from my lips as I see the pile-up of nieces and nephews at my threshold. Conner fidgets nervously next to the ringleader, Gracie, unsure of what she’s doing there.

“Guys, I don’t know why you’re stalking me. There’s no party up here.”

“Grammy told us to wake you up before you miss breakfast. We were supposed to go tubing today, and I think it snowed too much!”

“Gracie, please stop yelling. I’m standing right here.”

“Up!” Peyton orders, holding his hands up.

“I have to pee-pee.”

Peyton keeps his hands up. “I go.”

“No, you not go,” I run my hand over his wayward cowlick. “Give me ten minutes, guys, and I’ll be down.”

“Okay,” Gracie concedes quickly as I pull Conner into my arms for a reassuring hug.

“Doing okay, baby girl?” Conner nods and hugs me back before turning and following Gracie and Peyton down the stairs. Fifteen minutes later, I shuffle into the dining room and instantly feel all eyes on me, especially the intense shade of powder blue.

“You look beautiful today, Sweet Pea,” Mom speaks up as I take my seat. “That a new outfit?”