Page 56 of A Christmas Mystery

I do my best to keep my focus forward toward the altar throughout the service, but I can’t resist a few stray glances. As if he senses it, he shifts his eyes to me each time, and we stare at each other across the distance until I can finally wrench my gaze away.

The Mass itself is lovely and solemn, and it touches me emotionally so deeply that tears start streaming down my face again.

I know Theo will see me crying, but there’s nothing I can do to hold them back.

Tee always lingers after the service for a long time, greeting all her friends and acquaintances and wishing everyone a merry Christmas.

So it’s after one by the time we’re pulling up the driveway to her old house.

The first thing I notice when Daniela’s headlights hit the gravel parking area is that there’s a car that doesn’t belong there.

I recognize it almost immediately.

It’s Theo’s two-year-old crossover SUV.

“Oh my,” Tee says.

My eyes search the dark front yard until they spot Theo sitting on one of the steps that lead up to the front porch. He stands up as we park.

“Oh my,” Tee says again.

I get out of the back seat, my heart racing with both nerves and excitement. I walk over to where Theo is waiting.

“I stopped by to leave you a Christmas gift,” he says, showing me a small wrapped box in one hand. “I wrote you out a long letter, but then I realized I can’t hide anymore. I’ve been hiding for far too long, never believing I’m allowed to share what’s inside me, but I don’t want to keep doing that. I need to... to say what I have to say to you face-to-face. If you’ll let me.” He pauses, his expression deep and hesitant and yearning. “Will you let me?”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. I glance back at Tee and Daniela.

“We’re heading inside,” Daniela says, hiding a smile. “Just pretend we aren’t here.”

“Yes, yes. We haven’t seen a single thing.”

The two of them hurry up the porch steps and to the front door. I hear Tee giggle as she closes the door behind them.

For some reason, the sound of it makes me giggle too.

Theo’s eyebrows pull together, but it looks like he’s almost smiling now. “Will you please let me say it?” he murmurs. “I’m not expecting an answer from you. You can have all the space you need. I just need to say it.”

I nod. Cross my arms over my chest in a protective stance. It feels like my heart might beat all the way out of my chest.

“I ran into Daniela as she was shopping today. I couldn’t sit still, so I was walking the downtown streets aimlessly, and I almost ran into her. She asked me what was wrong. I didn’t tell her much, but she deduced it was us.”

This isn’t at all what I expect, so I take a step closer, my curiosity piqued.

“She must have felt sorry for me because she told me about a conversation you two had with Tee about soulmates.”

“Oh.” I blink. “She told you that?”

“Yes. I’ve always imagined my heart with a piece missing. A piece that belongs to you. But since soulmates are a no-go, I had to revisualize it.” He hands me the small gift, wrapped in lovely red damask paper.

I gulp, my eyes moving between the box and his face. “You want me to open it now?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind. Daniela helped me with it.”

“Is that what she was working on all afternoon?”

“Yes.” He takes a shuddering breath. “Please open it.”

I carefully undo the paper and lift the lid. Inside is a necklace. A pendant on a lovely gold chain. The pendant itself is intricately sculpted. Two deep red hearts wrapped around each other.

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