Page 19 of Stolen Holidays
Eli:Stop bugging me. I have a proposalto plan.
“Who are you texting?” Callie sits up with a yawn and stretches her arms overhead.
I lock my phone and shove it under my leg. The last thing I want is for her to know my plan. Everything is a surprise, and I want to keep it that way. “Just my brothers and my dad. I’m sorry I woke you up. Pops was bored because he was home alone.”
“Aww. He misses your mom. That’s sweet.” Callie gives me a lazy smile, and my heart flutters in my chest. There’s a little crease on her cheek from where she was resting it against my rumpled shirt. She looks so fucking cute.
Gripping her neck, I tug her face to mine and kiss her. Her lips are soft and sweet, just like her. Her mouth parts, letting me delve between her lips and tie her tongue with mine. Callie meets me stroke for stroke.
She’s a breathless, melted mess as she pulls away. “What was that for?”
I run my thumb over the indent on her cheek. “Do I need a reason to kiss you, Princess?”
Callie laughs. “No, I guess not.”
“Good. Because I plan on kissing you any chance I get for the rest of our lives.”
Her eyes shine, and she sniffs back tears.
“Why are you crying? Are you okay, baby?” I catch the single tear running down her cheek.
She sobs a laugh. “I’m fine. You just…” Callie looks away.
“I just, what?” I turn her chin, forcing her to look at me.
She shrugs and rubs her cute little nose. “You just make me so happy. Sometimes, I get scared that I’ll wake up and find out this—you, everything—was all a dream.”
My beautiful, sweet bluebird. It breaks my heart that she still struggles with feelings of abandonment. “We’re living the dream. Asleep. Awake. Makes no difference. It’s just you and me forever. Over the rainbow, right?”
“Over the rainbow,” she repeats.
The car comes to a stop, and Mike cuts the engine. I look out the window to find us parked outside the familiar B&B. Aside from all the garland and the sixteen-foot-tall Christmas tree out front, the lodge itself looks the same as it did when Jace and Rylann had their New Year’s Eve wedding here.
After our first date, when Callie told me she would have said yes if I had given her a ring, I knew I had to plan something spectacular for her. Something she would never forget. When I learned she hadn’t celebrated the holidays in years, a light bulb went on in my head. Christmas the perfect time to get down on one knee. I also knew I had to propose here in Oregon, where Callie and I finally came together and started our relationship. This little town isn’t Pine Hills, but from what I remember of my brother’s wedding, it’s a close second.
Not only does this town hold memories for Jace and Rylann, but it’s also the place where Mason got his second chance with Emery. It just seemed like the perfect spot to ask the love of my life to marry me. And with Emery working her magic, this venue will look perfectly enchanting for my girl.
Movement on the side of the inn catches my eye, but it’s gone in a flash.
Was that an ostrich? What the fuck?
I must be more tired than I thought.
Mike interrupts my hallucination. “I’ll start a perimeter check.” As respectful as ever, he steps out of the car and gives me and Callie some privacy.
“Wow, it’s so cute here.” Callie stares out the window at the two-story inn in wonder, her earlier fears firmly in the rearview mirror, where they belong.
The main lodging has ten rooms, as well as five private cabins separate from the main building, a barn that they use as a ballroom, a hot tub, a firepit, and a wraparound porch in the back. I pulled a few strings to reserve the entire place for the next two weeks. Okay, I paid through the nose to take it over, but I’d have paid double.The new owners were tough bargainers, but it will all be worth it. Callie deserves the best holiday she has ever experienced, and I plan on delivering.
“Do you like it?” My nerves suddenly skyrocket. I need her to love this place. It’s going to be part of our story.
Callie looks over at me and grins. “It’s wonderful.”
“Stay right there.” I climb out of the car and rush to her side, opening the door for her.
Her hair whips around her face in the chilly breeze as she takes my hand and pulls herself up and out of the car. Callie shivers, but the smile on her face never leaves as she takes in her surroundings.
She’s dressed simply in a chunky-knitted lavender sweater, jeans that look painted on, and a pair of tan work boots, and she still looks like a fucking goddess. The sunlight catches her braided blonde hair and makes her eyes shine as she looks at me over her shoulder.
