Page 122 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

“Is anything else wrong?”

“No. You know, other than the three-ring circus surrounding us.”

“I know,” he grumbled. “I’m afraid it’s not going to get better for a while.” He squeezed my thigh. “But let’s not talk about that. It’s Christmas, and I got the perfect gift for you.”

“Really,” I sang, “because I got the perfect gift for you.”

“I don’t think so,” he teased. “There can’t be two perfect gifts. And I hate to say, but mine is the perfect one.”

I wrinkled my nose at him. “Excuse me, I beg to differ. I got the perfect gift.” It was beautiful too. I had the white gold band with yellow gold plating hidden in my purse. My favorite was the inscription on the inside of the band: To my forever partner.

He shrugged as if he wasn’t worried at all. “We’ll see.”

“Yes, we will.”

He chuckled. It helped my nerves a bit. What didn’t help was walking into the candlelit church to the sound of the hauntingly beautiful choir singing “Silent Night” in the background while every head turned our way. I tried to behave elegantly and with an air of stoicism like Sheridan would, but inside I was shaking like a leaf.

Brant walked in with his head held high while keeping his arm around me. I applauded his ability to keep his cool among the whispers.

I was grateful when we made it to the pew where John, Sheridan, Brock, Dani, and Gemma all sat. They, too, were all keeping their cool, except Gemma, who was excited to see us.

“Finally, you’re here,” she complained loudly, making everyone around us laugh. “Were you baking cookies?”

Dani and Brock about lost it. They were shaking so badly, trying to keep it together. Sheridan and John looked bewildered. It was for the best. No need to let any more people in on the meaning behind the seemingly innocent phrase.

Brant was quick to scoop up Gemma. He whispered in her ear, “I can’t bake cookies with Aunt Kinsley yet. But soon.” He smiled at me.

Sooner than he thought. I smiled back while taking a seat next to Dani. She gave my hand a little squeeze. She knew how nervous I was about tonight. She was excited for us. And in some ways, I thought it brought her a lot of peace. Assuming Brant said yes. I began to wonder if it would emasculate him if I asked instead of the other way around. Oh gosh. I was a wreck.

I tried to focus on the pastor’s message. It was a good one and very timely. He spoke of Jesus’s ability to see the best in people, especially those society judged most harshly. Jesus had come to heal the sick and those afflicted by their sins. He reminded the congregation that if we were too busy judging people, we couldn’t love them. And Jesus was synonymous with love.

I watched Sheridan wipe her eyes with the handkerchief John had given her. Even more touching were the tears streaming down John’s face when the pastor spoke of Jesus’s ability to right every wrong and to forgive every sin. I saw a flicker of something in Sheridan’s eyes, as if she were reminded that she could forgive John with some heavenly help. When she leaned into her husband, I had a feeling those two would work it out.

The pastor’s words did the trick, as I heard not a whisper when we walked out of the chapel well after midnight. It was Christmas. And for the first time in days, I felt peace and a renewed sense of hope as we said our goodbyes and parted.

I clung to Brant as we walked to his car, not wanting to say anything to ruin the beautiful message we’d just heard, but it was showtime. I had already texted Jai while we were in church that he needed to clear out of there.

“Oh shoot,” I exclaimed.

“What?” Brant wondered.

“Would you mind terribly if we stopped by the restaurant? I forgot Grandma’s gift there.”

“Can we get it tomorrow morning? I would really like to take you back to my place and give you your gift.”

“Is it lingerie?” I teased.

“No.” He nuzzled my neck. “That comes after we start baking cookies.”

Ooh, I liked the feel of his lips on my skin, but I had to think. “Please can we stop by? I promise it will only be a minute,” I lied, “and then we can go straight to your place. Please. Please.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his lips.

“Kins,” he groaned against my lips, “you’re not playing fair.”

“Please.” I kissed him again, this time letting my tongue skim his lips. That always drove him wild.

“Fine,” he relented.

The entire drive over to the restaurant was a handsy affair. Good thing he was an excellent driver and multitasker. We’d taken advantage of every red stoplight. My hair was toast by the time we made it to the restaurant.

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