Page 19 of HoHoHo for You

I almost wept. “We’re going away?”

He nodded.

“I really like that idea,” I breathed, holding the mask and headphones to my chest.

“Good, because we aren’t done.”

He reached back again and produced a thin, black envelope and handed it to me. Putting the other gifts on the bathroom counter, I watched him warily as I opened it, but he gave nothing away.

The card inside was matte black with gold foil pattern around the edge, and an outline picture of a shaded heart.

I looked back up at Sam. “What’s this?”

“Read it,” he said—but I saw the flash in his eyes. He was nervous?

Swallowing hard, I opened it, and my heart skipped and thumped against my ribs.

~

Babe,

I wish I could put into words how much I wish your life had been different.

I wish I could rewrite history, take away your fear, and make you free. I can’t. But I’m praying every day that God will show me the way to help you and love you and keep you safe.

I know He gave me to you to remind you that there aregood thingshere. Here in this world—not just in this house, or this town.

I don’t care where we spend Christmas. I do care whether you’re safe, and happy. So, you and I are going on vacation together. We’ll be in a place where there’s absolutelynoChristmas (don’t worry, I checked.) And we aren’t coming back until the New Year.

We’re going to relax, and love on each other, and breathe.

But there’s one condition: You have to tell me what you’re feeling, even if it’s bad. You have to tell me if you want to leave. And if you decide to go, you have to take me with you.

As long as you can stomach having me at your side, we can go wherever the hell you want.

You have my word.

I love you,

Sam.

~

Tears blurred my vision as I threw myself into his chest. “Of course. I couldn’t go without you. I don’t want to be without you, Sam!”

He held me tight and whispered love to me, and it was just… It was too much. I didn’t deserve all this kindness. His patience. Hisgrace.Dear God, he was practically perfect, and I was so far from it, it made me sick!

But I couldn’t find the words, and when I tried, he shushed me, and held my face, wiping my tears with his thumbs and leaning down so we were almost nose-to-nose.

“Here’s where things get fun,” he said, his voice a little rough with emotion. “We’re leaving town. And you’re going to have the true, Anti-Santa experience: Hot weather, no other people, no clothes, and definitely no reindeer.” His brow furrowed. “I mightslay,though.”

I snorted through my tears. “Oh my god,I married such a dork.”

“Yes, yes you did.” Sam grinned, and his eyes crinkled, and I wanted to jump his bones. “You also promised to take me with you wherever you go, so… strap in, babe. We’re getting the hell out of Dodge.”

I kissed him even though I was crying. I wasn’t sure if the tears were happy or sad, but my heart fluttered with so much love, it didn’t really make a difference.

7. Love is Blind

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