Page 22 of Snowbound Hearts
All the lights are dimmed to let the Christmas tree sparkle. It’s really a warm and inviting place. Like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Standing in front of the tree, Mason pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly. I wrap my arms around his waist as he pulls me close. I can’t help but wonder if something has changed between us. It almost feels like he’s saying goodbye but I’m afraid to ask. I just don’t want to know. Not right now. I’d prefer to just stand here in his arms and just enjoy his embrace, his touch.
We both watch the lights on the Christmas tree twinkle and listen to the fire crack and pop as it keeps the room warm. With my head on his chest, I can hear the rhythm of his heartbeat and with each beat I grow more and more nervous over what this moment means. He’s saying goodbye.
It makes sense. I’m leaving tomorrow. With an early flight, I will be long gone before breakfast and probably won’t see him before I go. Years ago, I was mad at him for not talking to me about joining the Marines and so we never got a proper goodbye. This is his.
Mason pulls me away from his chest and looks into my eyes with his beautiful blue eyes. The lights from the Christmas tree dance in reflection. He lowers his lips to mine and I gladly kiss him back. No one has ever kissed me like he does with the softest and most addictive lips.
I pull back from his kisses, “I’m going to miss you.” I whisper.
“Stay.”
“What?” He didn’t really just ask me that, did he?
“Don’t go. I know I have no right to ask you to move your entire life, but I don’t want you to go. I can’t lose you again, Sydney. I can’t. Stay here. With me. Please.”
Epilogue - Sydney
When Mason asked me to stay with him, I had no idea what to think. I’d have to move my entire life, business and all, to Colorado where the wildlife wants to eat me for lunch. I’m a Florida girl – beach, sun, sand, and palm trees are my thing, not blizzards, snow, mountain lions, and whatever else is out there.
Then the clock chimed twelve times and suddenly it was Christmas Day. Mason looked at me and smiled, “Now you have to say yes. No one says no on Christmas Day.” His warm smile made me realize that I can always get on a plane to go back home to visit the beach and palm trees if I ever miss it. My future is with Mason… wherever he is the world.
The movers have already delivered my stuff to Aspen Peaks, and I’ve sold my business to on old high school friend, Riley Ashford since she’s been an event planner in Atlanta for years but is moving back home to Hibiscus Harbor. She’ll take great care of my clients. I have no doubt.
Mason already set up one of the separate cabins on the property so that we’re not living in the lodge, but adjacent to it. It was Emily’s idea.
Once I’m settled, I’ll start putting feelers out in the community and build up my business again. It’s kind of excitingto start over but this time, I know all the business decisions not to make and all the right ones to make. It’s like taking a test but knowing all the answers.
“Nervous?” Mason asks me as he navigates the icy roads from the airport back to the lodge. I’ve been home for the last month getting everything ready for this move, but I couldn’t wait to get back here and be with Mason again.
I shake my head. “A bit. I think I’m more excited.”
He takes my hand as he parks the truck in the parking lot of the lodge. There’s still a lot of snow on the ground. Something I’ll need to get used to, I suppose. “We’re going to do this one thing at a time. Okay? If you start to freak out, we’ll talk about it.”
I nod. “I think I’m afraid that this will feel different once I walk inside.” I point to the front doors of the lodge. “Like it’ll all be a big mistake.”
“It should feel different, Sydney. You’re home now.”
My eyes shoot up at him. I’m home. Wow. Hadn’t thought about it like that.
Home.
I’m home.
Epilogue - Mason
She wouldn’t let me go back with her to Hibiscus Harbor and help her move. She kept insisting that I had a business to run – and she wasn’t wrong, but I wanted to make sure she didn’t change her mind.
Fortunately, she didn’t and now she’s sitting next to me in my truck about to officially be home – with me – and I couldn’t be happier. “Ready?” I ask her.
She turns to me and smiles. “Ready.”
We climb out of the truck and just before we walk into the front doors of the lodge, I pick her up and carry her through the threshold as she laughs. “You’re supposed to do that when you get married,” she chastises me.
“All in due time, my love,” I shock her. “What? Like you’re surprised to know that I plan to marry you?” I set her feet down but don’t let her out of my arms.
“Well…”
