Page 47 of Merrily Mine
It was Mason’s turn to bend down, scooping me up into his arms. “I can walk, you know,” I protested. But honestly, as he carried me down the stairs, it felt so similar to those beginning days we’d spent here, all alone in our own world as the storm raged on outside.
“For old time’s sake,” he told me, kissing my cheek.
I gave a little sigh, but I didn’t protest any further. Not when this was the only place I wanted to be in the world.
Creeping up the stairs, I slipped into the living room, laid out a blanket and sat in front of the fireplace. The fire had long sinceburned out, leaving only the embers behind the screen, but no one had bothered to unplug the tree.
I hadn’t bothered. I loved the lights. Loved staring at the ornaments my family had collected over the years. They all had sentimental value. My mom loved putting up a giant tree in the entryway—decked out beautifully, like it came straight from a magazine, but the one in the living room was always our family tree.
It had a reindeer made of popsicle sticks that I’d made in elementary school. Little clay Santas that were made of all three of our handprints. It was our life up there. Family vacations—the ones we’d taken, at least, since my parents had always been working.
When I was younger, this had been my tradition. I’d sneak downstairs, sit on the couch, staring at the tree as I waited for Santa. I’d fight to keep my eyes open as long as possible until I finally succumbed to sleep. And every time, without fail, I’d wake up to a tree full of presents.
Wrapping my arms around my legs, I watched as the lights flickered. It was late—past midnight—which meant it was officially Christmas Day. My brothers and their wives had long since gone to bed, both of them taking their old rooms. Sometime between then and now, a few dozen presents had appeared underneath the tree.
I couldn’t help but imagine my future like this. One where the kids toddling through the living room were mine. With dark hair and dark blue eyes and little cowboy hats.
My heart ached just thinking about Mason’s ex and how heartbroken he’d been, knowing she’d changed her mind about kids. There was nothing wrong with it, but I hated that he had ever had to go through that pain.
Still, I was grateful to her. Because she gave me him.
I’d left Mason in my bed, shirtless and ridiculously sexy. The perfect Christmas present. The only thing that would make it better is if I got to unwraphimin the morning. I smiled at the idea. On second thought, I could probably make that happen.
“Can’t sleep?” A deep voice called out. I turned to find my cowboy walking up the stairs, dressed in his ridiculous Christmas pajamas.
I shook my head as he squeezed my shoulder. “No. Just thinking.” About the future. About how much I cared about the man at my side. My feelings had grown so much, it was hard to hold them back.
“Good. I wanted to give you your present. Hold on.” He reached behind the tree, pulling out a fairly large box. I hadn’t even noticed it earlier.
“What is this?” My eyes were wide as he placed it in my lap. “When did you even have time to get me something?”
“Just…” he scratched the back of his head. “Just open it, please, baby?”
I couldn’t deny him anything, not when he asked me with that voice. I pulled at the paper, running my fingernail through the tape to pop it off, trying not to rip it.
He chuckled. “I have more paper if you’re worried about ruining it.”
“Oh. I just…” I shook my head, finally just tearing it off. After exposing the box underneath, I cut the tape—though I’d needed scissors this time—and gasped as I opened the box.
I pulled out a few sheets of tissue paper, but there was no mistaking it.
“You bought me a hat?”
He nodded. “Your very own cowgirl hat. Felt necessary if you’re gonna be a real workin’ cowgirl on the ranch. Y’know… if you want that.” He looked hopeful, and butterflies erupted in my chest.
I sniffled. “I love it.”I loved him.So much. My eyes watered, but I blinked the tears back.
Mason’s hand wrapped around my neck, bringing our lips together. He kissed me softly, his lips moving against mine in a way that had me melting against his body.
“And I do, I think. Want to help at the ranch. In case you didn’t know, I’m pretty good at social media. And I’ve always loved horses.” I’d never be a breeder or a trainer, but I was happy to do what I could.
He pinched my ass. “You’re hired.”
I giggled, and then straightened, turning to look at him fully. I bit my lip. “So… does this position come with room and board? Cause I was thinking thatmaybe,it’s time for me to move out of my parent’s basement.” Ireallydidn’t want to turn thirty and still have to tell people around town that I lived with my parents. God, I hated the judgement.
And I might have wanted a bit of privacy, considering I had gotten used to having regular sex with the cowboy who seemed all too happy to satisfy my every need.
Mason stilled, his eyes scanning my face, like he was trying to decide if I was serious. “Really? You want to move in with me? Like… permanently?”
