Page 76 of Mountain Protector

Once the check’s been paid, we head outside, shivering at the blast of cold after the warmth of the diner. As I huddle against Knox, he wraps his arm around me, chuckling as he asks, “Why don’t you wear a hat if you’re cold?”

“My hair will get all messed up.”

“What?”

“If I wear a hat. Then it’ll make my hair all frizzy and I’ll get to work looking like a scarecrow. That’s not a great look for the CFO.”

Knox shakes his head. “Somehow I doubt anyone would think you look like a scarecrow. You’re beautiful.”

Aww.

“So,” he continues as we walk towards the town parking lot. “I meant to ask earlier. Are you sure you’re good with our plans for Christmas?”

“What do you mean?”

Concern darkens his gaze as he looks over at me. “I just know you’ve always spent the day with your dad. So if you want to do that…”

“I don’t. I mean, I want to see him. And we will. But not the whole day like before. We have other plans, too.”

A hint of uncertainty tinges his tone. “I just don’t want your dad to think I’m ruining things. Ruining traditions.”

“He doesn’t.” We reach my car, and I turn to face him. “My dad is thrilled to see both of us for the holiday. He understands we have other people we want to see. And that we want to spend some time together, just the two of us.”

Because that’s the new plan for Christmas, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. A lazy morning with Knox, opening presents and making love by the tree. Then we’ll go to my dad’s in Montpelier for the afternoon. In the evening, we’ll come back to Bliss for Enzo’s holiday party and gift exchange.

“Are you sure? Because I want your dad to like me.”

“Knox.” I twine my arms around his neck and kiss his bristly cheek. “My dad thinks you’re great. And I’ll warn you, he’s already got a list of home improvement questions to ask you. So, trust me when I say he does.”

“Okay.” A relieved smile lifts his lips. “Good. Because, you know, you’re pretty important to me. So I want your dad to approve.”

“He does.”

A sharp breeze rushes by, and I shudder at the frigid cold. “Why do I live in Vermont, again?”

“Here.” Knox takes the key fob and unlocks the door. “Get inside. Blast the heat. And text me when you get to work, okay?”

“I will.” I kiss him again. “And I’ll see you back home around five.” A bubble of joy expands in my chest. “Home. I like the sound of that.”

Even though we only decided it two days ago, Knox has basically moved into my place already. And I love it. Knowing he’s not there temporarily, but because we’re living together.

Knox gazes at me, his expression softening. “Yeah. I like it, too.”

Even comingto work feels more cheerful than it used to be.

As I walk through the doors of Weber Investments, I’m not hyper-focused on my schedule for the day ahead, hurrying straight to my office so I can jump into my first tasks of the day. Instead, I actually take my time coming in, taking in the cheerful holiday decorations at reception—tiny Christmas trees and menorahs and even a Kwanzaa kinara on the front desk. Twinkle lights are draped over the fake plants scattered throughout the waiting area, and “Carol of the Bells” is playing quietly in the background.

Evelyn, one of our receptionists, is fully embracing the holiday, all in red and green with jingle bells hanging from her ears. She waves at me, smiling as shesays, “Good morning, Miss Weber. Is it cold enough out for you?”

I give an exaggerated shiver as I return her smile. “I’d say so. Last I checked, it was twenty degrees. But the weather forecast is predicting snow for Christmas, so that would be nice.”

“Oh, yes.” She brightens. “Nothing like a white Christmas. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.”

“Same.” Just before I head to the elevator, I add, “I love your earrings, Evelyn. They’re so cute and festive.”

“Thanks! I made them myself. I could make you a pair, too, if you like?”

How sweet.

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