Page 29 of I'll Be Home For Christmas

They walked out to the truck and he helped Olivia inside. Soon they were on the road and he glanced back at the house one last time.

For the first time in over a year, he would be celebrating with another family. He hoped a family that would soon be his family as well.

CHAPTER16

The closer they got to Whitefish, the more excited Olivia became. Five days ago, she was supposed to have arrived before dark, but because of the storm, everything had changed in her life.

For the better.

Glancing at Lucas, she couldn’t wait to introduce him to her family. By now, the whole clan would be there and she’d be the last to arrive. All because she’d thought that the man she’d wasted a year of her life with wanted to ask her to marry him. And now, she was getting her wish because Lucas planned on speaking to her father.

When they drove up in front of the house, she glanced at him and smiled. “They’re going to love you just like I do.”

He reached out and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Let’s go meet them.”

Walking around the truck, he opened her door and helped her out.

The front door to the house opened and the big jerk stepped out on the porch.

“About time you got here,” he said, smiling at her like nothing bad had happened between them.

“Oh no,” she said. “No.”

“What’s wrong?” Lucas asked.

“It’s my ex. He’s here.”

Whirling around, Lucas frowned.

“Darling, I flew in early this morning to meet your family and you weren’t here,” he said walking toward her. “Who is this?”

“Lucas Peterson,” he said, not offering him his hand.

Olivia felt her body tense and her hair seemed to stand on end. And yet because of him, she’d met Lucas.

“You have a lot of nerve showing up here,” she said, stepping in front of Lucas. “I left late because I was waiting on you. You remember how I found you? You remember who you were in bed with?”

He shrugged and it was all she could do not to smack him.

“I was drunk. She means nothing to me. You’re the one I want,” he said. “That’s why I came, to show you how much you mean to me.”

Stunned, Olivia reached for Lucas’s hand needing to feel his strength. He squeezed her hand and she knew he had her back. No matter what happened, he would be by her side. Unlike this jerk.

“Too late. I don’t take seconds from any man. Lucas rescued me after I hit a snow bank the other night in the storm. I left late waiting for you, only to find you in bed with Cynthia. Not only did he rescue me from freezing to death, but he’s shown me what real love is. Because of you, I could have died. Instead, fate intervened, and now I’ve found a man I want to spend forever with. You wasted your time coming here. We’re done. If you want, we’ll invite you to the wedding.”

The big jerk’s mouth dropped open. “You cheated on me.”

“No, we were over long before I cheated on you. We were over the moment I found you in bed with Cynthia or whatever her name was. You had no respect for me or for her. Grab your suitcase and call yourself an Uber. You’re not welcome here. I’m so glad I learned the truth about you before I married you.”

He started to walk toward her and Lucas pulled her behind him. “It would be best if you left now. She’s made her decision.”

Stopping, he shook his head and then went inside. A few moments later, he came outside, his phone in his hand.

Her parents stood on the porch staring in disbelief at the drama playing out on their front lawn that was covered with snow.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to introduce Lucas, my fiancé, to my parents,” she said and pulled Lucas up the cleared sidewalk to her parents, passing the asshat, wondering what she’d ever seen in him.

“Mom and Dad, I’d like for you to meet my fiancé, Lucas Peterson.”

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