Page 21 of Gifted

“Actually, I’m still in Scotland. There was a snafu, and I got stranded until the blizzard clears. I won’t be flying out until late the day after Christmas. We’ll come right there.”

“We?” he asked.

“Yes. I’m bringing my fiancée.” Boy, I was digging myself in deeper and deeper here. But I knew I wasn’t dropping off Poppy then jetting off to Colorado. She was coming with me. I also knew I’d end up with her in my life. Permanently. And that meant, she was marrying me, exactly as I’d thought about practically non-stop for longer than I should admit. Good thing, since I planned to knock her up before we left Scotland. And I didn’t even feel bad about it.

“Fiancée?” he echoed, shock clear in his voice.

“Yes…and there’s something else I need to talk to you about.”

“Yes?” Now, the hope shone through in his voice. I knew what he wanted, and this time, he’d get it.

“Yeah…about that,” I chuckled. “Merry Christmas.”

“Tell me you’re not joking. You’re not joking, right?”

“No, I’m not joking. I haven’t talked to Poppy yet, so I don’t know how it will all work out, but I’m coming to work for Kessler Logistics.”

“Fuck, your mom is going to blow a gasket and explode into glitter. I’ll let you tell her when you and Poppy get here—but make sure I’m there to see it.”

“I will. Love you, Dad. I’ll text you when I have flight details. Did you need something? You called me.”

“Just seeing when you’re getting here. I thought I was going to have to break the bad news to your mom that you wouldn’t be visiting.”

“I’ll be there.”

“We’ll see you then. Love you, too.”

With a small smile, I pocketed my phone. I was lucky to have a good family who loved me. Being with Poppy, knowing she had no one, drove home to me what a little shit I’d been.

Last night, I’d lain awake in bed, tormented by her sweet body, and mulled over things with my family, my options. Poppy and I had a lot of options if we could navigate the sticky situation we might face with the school—mostly me, not her.

I’d deal with that later. I had time to make decisions and put plans in place—almost two weeks still, anyway. But the most pressing task at hand was getting a Christmas gift for Poppy, so she’d have something on Christmas morning. I’d spoil the hell out of her when we got back home. And probably constantly after that.

It didn’t take long for me to find several small things for her and stow the bag in with the groceries before heading over to the bookstore.

She waited outside with a large bag when I approached.

“You should have waited inside for me,” I admonished. “It’s too cold and snowy out here. You’ll get cold.” Every one of my protective instincts came out with her.

“I’m okay. Plus, I saw you coming. Through the window.” She indicated behind her. “I just came out.”

“You found some books?” I asked, nodding toward the bag. It seemed larger than a few books, but when I reached for it, she shook her head.

“I’ve got it. You have all those things.”

“I can carry one more bag. I’d rather you pay attention to your footing.”

“I have it,” she grumbled, shifting the bag into the hand away from me then slipping her fingers into the crook of my elbow. “And I’ll hold onto you, so I don’t fall.”

“I’ll never let you fall,” I assured her. “Never.”

I only hoped that would always be true.

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