Page 26 of New Home for the Holidays

“Good, I could use a vacation,” she lays her hand on her forehead dramatically, but the twinkle in her eye tells me it’s all for show and to lighten the mood.

I kiss her again before reaching over and snagging my gift. It’s smaller and I’m nervous all over again. I watch with rapt attention as she tears the paper away from the small box and pulls the silver key chain out.

A house dangles from it, with the day we met engraved on the back along with today, the day I’m asking her to take the next step with me. There’s room left for more dates to be added as we continue to build our life together.

Morgan’s brows pull together as she looks between me and her gift. I kiss her forehead and murmur against her skin, “Move in with me. Here.”

She jerks back from me, her eyes wide with surprise. The silence stretches between us, and I start to worry that I’ve made the wrong decision to ask her.

“You’re sure?” I can only nod to answer her question, worry making it impossible to form words. She looks around the house for a moment as if she’s trying to see herself here. But I know it’s right. When her lips curl at the edges I know her answer before she whispers, “Yes.”

This morning? It’s perfect.

And it’s the first of many. I’ll do everything in my power to make each holiday, each Christmas, better than the last.

I came to Wintervale with the hope of finding a home, but I had no idea I would find it in a person. She’s my new homefor the holidays. I definitely did something right this year to be on Santa’s good list because it’s the only reason, along with Dad looking over me, to explain how I found her.

MORGAN

It is tense around the dinner table at my parent’s house and it’s not because my parents didn’t instantly like Walker. They both like him and it’s obvious. No, the dark cloud of the table is all because of Jared.

He’s being an ass and I’m about at the end of my rope.

I’m not usually someone to put others in their place, but he’s really pushing all my buttons. Today is a day to be with family, to open our hearts to the spirit of the season, and to find joy in the simple things. But he’s sitting over there brooding and cutting his eyes at Walker like he’s done something wrong.

Is falling in love with me wrong? Is treating me like I’m the center of his world wrong?

Walker has done his best to ignore Jared while engaging in conversation with the rest of the family, including Langston. Even though he appears unbothered, I can feel he’s losing hold of his control as well.

I can’t take it anymore. This is ridiculous. Even though it pains me, I guess Langston and Walker are going to have front row seats for some family drama. Welcome to the family indeed.

But, then again, maybe it’s normal for the holidays.

I put my fork down calmly when Jared shoots Walker another death glare. “Jared,” I snap, completely unlike me. My brother’s eyes move to meet mine slowly and I see regret flash across his face. Damn it, I soften my expression, trying to understand where he’s coming from. “You’ve been a brooding asshole all day,” I start.

Mom giggles and Dad lets out a huff of agreement. “I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to remind you about your language,” Mom quips, but when I glance in her direction, her eyes are sparkling with mischief.

After making a face at her I turn my attention back to Jared. I’ve never really stood up to him before, but this requires it. I’m not going to let him keep this shit up, not when he works with Walker. They need to be able to work together and trust each other.

Sure, Wintervale isn’t known for its crime, but what if they’re in a situation where they need to rely on each other? I’ll always want them both to come home safely. They need to have each other’s backs for that to happen.

“I told him to stay away from you,” Jared grumbles while nodding toward Walker.

I sit back in my chair and cross my arms across my chest while giving him the same look I give my students. He grimaces slightly, but I can also see he’s not ready to back down.

“You’re my big brother and I love you, but what did you think? That you could scare guys off my entire life?” I shake my head, disappointment and sadness leaking into my words, “You’d rather me be lonely than happy?”

Jared’s shoulders slump and his entire face crumples. “No,” he whispers and swallows hard, “I don’t want that.”

“Then you need to stop,” I insist.

Walker wraps his large hand around the nape of my neck and gives a squeeze. “Nothing was going to keep me away from Morgan,” he tells Jared, and I get the feeling it’s not the first time he’s said it. “She’s mine. I love her and I asked her to move in with me this morning.”

I’m not sure what Jared sees when he looks at us, but it’s as if he’s really seeing us for the first time. He nods slowly and licks his lips. “I know I’ve been an ass, but Dad told me a long time ago it was my responsibility to watch out for my sisters. When I joined up, I couldn’t do it for a while and felt guilty the entire time.”

I sass him even though my anger is softening toward him, “So you decided to make up for lost time?”

“I guess,” he admits, and I swear he blushes slightly. “I can see how much you love her,” he admits to Walker. “I’ll stop being a dick about it.”

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