Page 54 of Christmas for Keeps

“Who are you texting?”

I hadn’t heard Con coming, and he startled me so much I dropped the phone. His hair was sticking out at odd angles, and he’d put on flannel pajama bottoms and a blue thermal shirt that made his eyes pop. I couldn’t help grinning, and though I was pretty sure I looked goofy, I couldn’t stop. “Kerry is asking for a favor. I’ll tell you about it in a sec.” Retrieving the phone from the floor, I smiled again. “I’m lucky I have a good case.”

“You’ve always been Mr. Prepared.”

“Do my best.” My heart fluttered while I thumbed out another message.

ZACH: About noon? I’ll tell him we’ll go to lunch after.

KERRY: Sounds good. This is AWESOME Zach!

ZACH: Thank you so much. See you in a while.

I turned my attention back to Con, who looked amazing in the bright morning light streaming through the windows. He walked across the room and grabbed me in a hug. “You are so handsome, Zach. No one has a right to look this good first thing in the morning.”

Before I could reply, he gave me a short peck and placed his cheek against mine. I pulled him closer and said, “Love you, babe.”

He kissed me again. Holding him close filled my heart with warmth, and I felt complete. I hummed with satisfaction because we were together. Con wasitfor me—everything I needed, wanted, and desired, all rolled into one. I swept my hands down to his butt and squeezed, but he leaned back, pulling his lips from mine. “It’s Christmas Eve,” he said, “so let’s save some for later.”

“Oh, there’ll be plenty later.”Especially after we—

“Looks like you’re making French toast,” he said, looking at the counter. “Can I help?”

“One condition.” I squeezed his butt again. “Give me another kiss.”

* * *

The roadinto town was clear, despite the towering mounds of snow piled along the sides. Icy temperatures had kept the sun from doing much to melt the white stuff over the past two days, and the trees sparkled as if adorned by glistening jewels.

Con, who had been looking out the window since we left home, turned toward me. “Does it stay this way all winter? Because this is unbelievably gorgeous.”

“Once we have a big snow, some of it usually sticks around until the spring. A lot melts between storms, though.”

“I saw on my weather app that more snow is expected tonight.”

I nodded. “Continuing into the day tomorrow. A white Christmas delivered especially for my babe.”

“And for you.” He took my hand and scooted as close to the center console as he could get. “Can I say one more time how sorry I am about how I made you feel yesterday?”

“Please stop.” I squeezed his hand. “If we spend the rest of our lives saying we’re sorry for things that have already happened—things that have been apologized for, with lessons learned—we’ll never have a chance to move on.”

I glanced at him and was surprised to see him wearing a small frown. He caught me looking and said, “I guess you’re right.” After raising my hand to his lips for a kiss, he released it.

Wanting to get his mind off whatever he’d been thinking about, I said, “Thanks for helping Liz watch the store while I help Kerry get her things inside their house. She needs some of it, but her car’s too small for her to dig through her luggage and boxes.”

“I’m happy to do it, especially after how they helped us yesterday. Hopefully, no one will ask me any details about the merchandise.”

I made a turn before answering. “If they do, ask Liz.”

Adrenaline spiked through me and made me jump in my seat, causing me to grunt in surprise. Con leaned forward so he could see the road. “What’s wrong?”

Nothing is wrong. I’m just so excited I’m about to jump out of my skin.“All’s well,” I said. “Muscle twitch.”

“I get them too. If it happens again, I could drive.”

And I could fly an A380.Connor’s driving was not good, to say the least, and rear-ending me was only one example. Several times, he’d given me terrible frights when he was behind the wheel. “I’ll be okay,” I said, “I promise.”

He got quiet, and I could tell he was thinking. When we turned into the town square, he looked at me. “I have to say something. Promise to hear me out? It’s important, and after this, I’ll let it be.”

---