Page 86 of A Very Merry Enemy
I know I’m going to get shit for this later.
“So, Holiday,” Mawmaw says, cutting into her pot roast. “How’s it feel to be back home?”
“Great, actually,” Holiday tells her with a sweet smile. “Strange sometimes, but I’m blessed and have a lot to be thankful for. Friends, family, a fun job. No complaints.”
“Fifteen years is a long time to be away from the people who love you.” Mawmaw’s eyes flick to me for just a second, and I try to ignore her. “You being here now is what matters most.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Holiday offers between small bites. “This is delicious. The roast is perfect.”
“Thanks, honey. Means a lot coming from someone like you. Makes this old woman very happy. Not to mention, you’re baking with my Lucas again.”
Holiday’s eyes soften, and it makes my chest flutter. “Yeah. We make a good team.”
“You always did.” Mawmaw takes a sip of wine. “Even when you were teenagers sneaking into my kitchen at midnight to bake and drink my nog.”
“No, we didn’t,” I say, but it’s impossible to hold back my grin.
“Oh, you think I didn’t notice my rum was half gone in the morning?” She laughs. “Plus, you were always so loud. I just pretended to be asleep because I knew you two were being safe and making good choices.”
Holiday chokes on her water. “Yes, we were safe in the kitchen.”
“That’s right.” She looks at Holiday with warm eyes. “I’m glad you’re back, sweetheart. Truly. This town hasn’t been the same without you. Neither has Lucas.”
“Mawmaw,” I warn.
My brothers and parents eat, watching us chat like it’s a tennis match.
“Don’t be shy about it,” Mawmaw tells me, reaching for my hand.
My mom clears her throat, but she just acts innocent. This is a part of the matchmaking games she likes to play.
“So, I’ve heard you’ve been helping Holiday prep,” Emma says. “Ready to quit the farm and come work at the bakery?”
“Hell no,” Lucas tells her.
Hudson laughs, knowing Emma’s just trying to rile me up.
Under the table, Holiday’s knee bumps against mine, and she doesn’t move away. I don’t know if it’s intentional or accidental, but I stay in place.
The wine flows, along with the conversation, and by the end of it, we’re laughing.
“Oh shit. I forgot the dessert in the truck. I’ll be right back,” I tell them.
As soon as I walk out of the dining room, Mawmaw says loudly, “Now that he’s gone, give us all the tea.”
I chuckle, not remembering the last time I felt this at ease. For once, it feels like things are clicking into place in my life. Holiday returning has always been on my wish list, but it was never expected. In my mind, she’d marry that man, start a family, and fade away from my life forever.
I don’t know why it feels like a second chance. But I also don’t know if I can let her in again. The heartache I experienced from losing her the first time nearly destroyed me. Not sure I’m strong enough to survive that hell again. It took years. And her being here is a reminder of that.
After dinner, we clear the table, and Mawmaw cuts intoThe One. The room goes silent as everyone chews, then swallows. It’s the only time I’ve heard all of them speechless at once.
“Holy shit,” Hudson finally says around a mouthful.
“Hudson!” Emma hisses, nodding at Colby.
“Holy shit, Dad!” Colby says, beaming.
“That’s a bad word,” Hudson tells his son, who repeats it again with a little giggle behind it.
