Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
He runs his hand gently along the frame. Inside the frame is a picture of us from the Tacky Light Show. We’re both smiling at the camera with Danny and Rudy, the four of us a happy family together.
“It was the first moment I thought maybe we could be a family,” I admit.
“It’s perfect,” he whispers and puts his arm around my shoulders. “We’re going to hang it above the fireplace at our ranch in Courage. We’ll add more photos with it, and eventually, we’ll have dozens of pictures. Family photo albums overflowing with precious memories.”
I can’t help smiling at the future he’s talking about. Our little family has so many beautiful Christmas holidays to look forward to and share together.
Epilogue
Callie
* * *
“Oh, it’s so pretty!” I gasp when Nate pulls into the driveway of his home. It’s a beautiful two-story farmhouse. The green roof is covered with snow but the vibrant color peeks through where the accumulation is thin.
The covered porch with the wicker furniture is straight out of a story book. I can already see the summer nights we’ll spend on it, watching the stars come out to play as we talk about our hopes and dreams.
It’s been two days since our Christmas celebration in Silver Bell Hollow. We flew back to Asheville today and have spent the last two or so hours in Nate’s truck.
I see the delight and pride that flickers across his face. He’s proud of his farm. He couldn’t stop pointing things out to me as we drove down the old dirt roads. He’s going to give me the full tour tomorrow. Right now, it’s dusk and we’re all four exhausted from traveling.
The front door of Nate’s house swings open, and there are people spilling out onto his front porch. He groans. “I told them not to do this.”
“It’s OK. They’re your family,” I reassure him even though I’m nervous. I want them to like me. I want to be accepted by his people. It’s important to me.
He gives me a small smile. “Yeah, they are. They were just so excited when I told them about you. Everyone wanted to meet you and Danny.”
“Really?” My eyes fill with tears at the thought. It’s been so long since I’ve had family. Just in the short time that we’ve gone to Montana, I feel like I’ve gained two families. Mary and Christopher Maas, and now Nate’s family. The thought is a little overwhelming.
He looks panicked for a second. “I limited it to just three of them, but I can tell them to go home.”
I manage to croak out, “Happy tears.”
His hunched shoulders ease, some of the tension fading from his body. “I don’t mind your tears. But as long as I’m around, they’ll always be the happy kind.”
I get out of the truck slowly, partly because I’m stiff from being still for so long and partly because I’m feeling so shy. If Nate had told me about this gathering, I would have insisted he pull over at a rest stop so I could freshen up and meet his family looking my best.
Rudy bounds up the steps first. He’s met with kisses and cuddles. Then a petite silver-haired woman rushes down. She envelops me in a hug and says, “I’m Emma May. Welcome to the family.”
“I’m Callie,” I say. “And this is my son—”
“Our son,” Nate corrects quickly.
I can’t help smiling. “Our son, Danny.”
“Let me just look at you,” Emma May says as she takes Danny in her arms. She instantly begins crooning. “Oh, you’re going to be Nana’s boy, aren’t you? Yes, I can already tell. You and I are going to be thick as thieves.”
A man with a bushy beard and a scowl limps forward. Beside him is a woman with short blonde hair. She’s in a tight red dress that shows off her generous curves. Her big smile is unguarded and genuine.
She introduces herself. “I’m Thea, and this is Jasper, my husband. Emma May hasn’t stopped talking about you all week. She’s so excited to have a new daughter-in-law and a new grandson to spoil.”
“I’m excited to meet everyone, too,” I admit.
“Nate said you don’t have much in the way of family,” Jasper says, “but you do now.”
“Thank you,” I croak up at the big man.
“Now come in,” Thea says, looping her arm around mine and dragging me into the farmhouse. The first thing I notice is the big Christmas tree in the living room that’s decorated with tinsel and popcorn. The colored lights make me smile, and I can’t stop staring as it blinks. It’s like the tree is welcoming me too.
“We didn’t really know your style,” Thea says, “so we just kind of guessed. Next year, I’ll come over and help you do it exactly the way you want it.”
It’s all so much to take in, and Emma May is still nearby. She’s pointing to different spots in the house and explaining them to Danny. “That’s where you’re going to play the guitar that Nana buys you in a few Christmases. That’s where you and I will build blanket forts. You see that corner of the living room? Nana is going to fill it with toys for you and…”