“My son seems quite enamored with you,” Valerie says.
I choke on a laugh. “Um, we barely like each other.”
“Really? You could have fooled me.” She smiles kindly.
“They usually are bickering back and forth,” Molly adds. “However, lately that’s been less and more… friendly.” She looks over at me. “What was that anyway?” she asks.
“What was what?” I play dumb. I know exactly what she’s asking, and I don’t have an answer for her.
“That.” She points at my hips.
I shrug. “Who knows why men do the things they do?” I say, shrugging. What I don’t say is that since that day at the pond when we went ice skating, there have been more soft touches. Like when he stops by the bar, he’ll reach out and grab my hand or stay and walk me to my car, things like that. There’s been a lot more of that. I have no clue what it means, if anything, so bringing it up isn’t an option.
“Well, I know my son, and I think he likes you,” Valerie chimes in.
I can feel my face heat. “He’s just being nice,” I counter.
“Uh-huh,” she and Molly say at the same time.
“What’s next?” I ask, laying the last sugar cookie on the baking sheet. I’m changing the subject, and we all know it. Luckily, they let me.
Molly takes pity on me and launches into a story about the last time she tried to make a cake. I give her a grateful smile, and she winks. We finish up the baking a couple of hours later. The house smells amazing, so much so it’s making me hungry.
“Ladies, let’s take a break. We’ve earned it,” Valerie says. Molly and I follow her into the living room where the guys are watching A Christmas Story.
“I love this movie,” I say out loud, not meaning to.
“It’s a classic,” Molly agrees. She sits on the oversized chair—well, technically, she sits on Jake’s lap, and he’s sitting on the chair. Jerry is in the recliner beside Grandpa Rhett. Valerie joins Rhett’s dad on the love seat, which leaves the couch for me and Rhett.
There’s a throw blanket on the back of the couch, and I grab it, spreading it out over my lap. I wish I could kick off my boots and curl up. Instead, I train my eyes on the TV and get lost in the movie I’ve seen what seems like hundreds of times.
“I’m going to go take a nap before we eat,” Grandpa Rhett says.
“After a long day of travel, that sounds perfect.” Valerie stands and takes his arm, leading him up the steps. Rhett’s dad follows his wife and father.
Then there were five.
“Me too. I’m going to find me a bed in one of these empty bedrooms and catch me a nap too. I’m not a spring chicken like I used to be,” Jerry says.
And then there were four.
“Hey, babe, I thought we could take the UTV down to the pond, check it out with all the snow,” Jake says.
“Do you mind?” she asks Rhett.
“Not at all. Key’s in it. There are some blankets in the trunk by the door. Make sure you grab a couple and take your phones just in case.”
“Thanks, man,” Jake says, giving Rhett a look of relief. He must have been worried about Molly having to walk if they break down. Weird.
“You all want to come?” Molly asks.
“Actually,” Rhett speaks up. “I need Short Stack to help me with something for Gramps.” He looks over at me. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all.” I want to ask him what he needs help with, but his grandfather has been so kind to me, going as far as saying I was family to them, the least I can do is help him out when he needs it. Molly and Jake disappear into the garage.
And then there were two.
“So what do you need help with?” I ask Rhett.
“Nothing, I might have told a small white lie.”
I turn to look at him. “Why?”
“Jake needed Molly alone for a little while.”
“Oh,” I say, not knowing what else to say. “You can go. I mean, if you have something to do, I’ll be okay here with Ralphie to keep me company.”
“Nope. I got nothing going on. Here.” He scoots to the edge of the couch and pulls my leg onto his lap. I watch him as he slowly slides the zipper down and pulls my boot from my foot.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I ask him.
“We might as well get comfortable. I know you want to curl up to watch this.” He motions with his head to the television.
“Was I that obvious?”
“Not to anyone who’s not watching.” He removes my other boot.
“You were watching?”
He nods. “I can’t seem to help myself when it comes to you,” he admits. He stands and places my boots beside the couch. He grabs the throw from my lap. “Get comfortable.”
I do as he says and pull my feet up under me. Rhett waits until I’m settled before placing the throw over me. “Thank you,” I say, looking up at him.
He nods. After kicking off his shoes and placing them beside mine, he sits on the couch right next to me. Instantly, I can feel his warmth even through the cover. “You good?” he asks, leaning so that his arms are resting on my legs, leaning across my lap.
“Y-yes,” I stutter like an idiot. This new dynamic with us is confusing as hell. Rhett rewinds the movie so we can watch what we missed. I don’t say anything as I try to focus on the movie and not on his hand that is gently rubbing my knee from where his arm is resting on my legs. It’s arousing and… relaxing. It’s a new concept for me. Pete was never really affectionate, and I was okay with that. Elaine was really the only person in my life to ever show me open affection.
Eventually, the caressing stops and his breathing is deep and even. He’s fallen asleep. Grabbing the remote, I turn it to a random Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. I turn down the volume, so I don’t disturb him. My hand itches to run through his hair. It always looks so soft. I refrain, not wanting to wake him up. Instead, I settle for resting my hand on his back as he sleeps soundly against me. I’m sleepy, but I fight it off. I like being able to see him like this. I wish I could see his face. I imagine his features are soft and relaxed, which is not a look I’m used to seeing on him.
Turning my attention back to the television, I get engrossed with one of the many holiday movies I’ve watched. This is a repeat, but that’s okay. They only play them this time of year. I always find myself being envious of the characters, the way their love interest loves them, fights for them, romances them. It’s not something I’ve experienced. Looking back at what Pete and I had, I know I was settling, and that’s not how I want to live my life. It’s mine, and mine alone. I don’t have family to run to; I need to make it what I want it to be. I have a second chance to find a Hallmark kind of love, and that’s what I want. One day, I want that to be me. I want to be the one who finally lives happily ever after. Will I ever find him? My Prince Charming? My knight in shining armor?
“That feels nice,” a deep, sleep-lace voice says, causing me to freeze. “Don’t stop, Say,” he whispers.
That’s when it hits me that my hand is in his hair. I’ve been running my fingers through the silky stands unconsciously. Dammit. “I’m sorry I woke you,” I say softly.
He adjusts so that he’s lying sideways and his head is in my lap. His big brown eyes stare up at me. “It feels nice.” He reaches for my hand and places it on his head. My fingers have a mind of their own as they begin to comb through his hair. My other hand is on the back of the couch, since I’m not sure where I should put it. Rhett reaches up and laces his fingers through mine, placing our hands on his chest. His eyes are still on mine, and I can’t look away.
“You’re beautiful, Saylor,” he murmurs. My face heats, I feel it, and I know he sees it when his eyes sparkle. “That too,” he says softly. “That blush of yours could bring a man to his knees.”
“What about you?” I ask boldly. I bite my bottom lip. I can’t believe I just said that. If I thought I was blushing before, it’s tenfold now.
“Yeah, baby, especially me,” he admits without any hesitation.
“So Whiskey, huh?” I ask him.
“Yeah, well beer actually. My father owns Baxter’s Brewery in Tennessee. He and my Gramps didn’t always see eye to eye, so he branched out on his own.”
“Which do you like better?”
“They’re both the same in my eyes. Although, growing up Gramps always said I would one day run the distillery.”
“But you work for your father?”
“Yeah, after college I went to work for him. It wasn’t until recently, being here I was reminded of the plans Gramps and I had as a kid.”
“I love your eyes,” I tell him. “Have I ever told you that?” I ask changing the subject. Partly because he seems sad and partly because his whiskey eyes are boring into mine.
“No.”
“Yeah,” I say, still running my fingers through his hair, not taking my eyes off his. “That’s why I call you Whiskey. Your eyes, the color reminds me so much of whiskey—well, that and it was your choice of drink that first night I met you. It fit. At the time, I had no idea who you were.”
“Yours remind me of a clear blue sky. They’re intoxicating.”
The garage door opens, and I hear footsteps. I try to pull my hand from his, but he’s not having it. My hand that was in his hair is now on the arm of the couch. I feel like I’m a teenager who’s just been caught in a compromising position. Ridiculous I know, but it is what it is.
“Saylor!” Molly says excitedly. She rushes to the couch, where Rhett’s head is still resting on my lap, and shoves her left hand in my face. “We’re getting married!”
“Wow! I’m so happy for you,” I tell her. “Your ring is gorgeous.”
“EEEP! Thank you! Did you know?” she asks me.
“No.” I look down at Rhett, and he winks at me. I smile at him. Now I know why he wanted us to stay here. I’m glad that we did. Not sure I would have had the chance to spend one-on-one time with him if not.
Molly’s smile turns smug. “What did you two get into?”
“Just watching some TV,” Rhett says, not bothering to move.
“Uh-huh. You look awful cozy,” Jake says from behind Molly.
Rhett turns to look up at me. “We are,” he agrees.
Oh. My. God. What is going on here?
“What’s all the commotion?” Jerry asks when he comes into the room.
“Look!” Molly shoves her hand at him.
“Bout damn time, boy.” Jerry pulls Molly into a big hug. “Welcome to the family, darlin,’ not that you needed this ring for that. You’ve been a part of our family from day one.”
Tears prick my eyes.
“You okay, Say?” Rhett whispers.
“Yeah, I need to use the restroom.” I can tell from the look in his eyes he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t call me out on it. Instead, he gives my hand a gentle squeeze then sits up.
I bolt off the couch and down the hall before the tears fall. Closing the bathroom door, I rest my back against it and lose the battle. Hot tears run unchecked down my cheeks. I’m happy for them, of course I am, but this family dynamic they have has me longing for what I don’t have, for what I’ve never really had. It was Elaine and me, and I’m so grateful for everything she did for me, but I want more. I want lots of people around for the holidays. I want a list of people to shop for. I want the sense of belonging. My heart aches as the tears fall.
Knowing that I need to get myself together and get back out there, I take a deep breath and focus on breathing slow. In and out, in and out. I get my breathing under control and get the tears to subside. Grabbing a tissue, I wipe off my face. Thankfully, I don’t wear a lot of makeup; some waterproof mascara is all I wore today, so that’s good. My eyes are a little red, but I can blame that on being tired. After I’m as good as I’m going to be until time wipes the effects of the tears from my face, I open the door and head back to the living room. It’s empty, but the laughter and conversation coming from the kitchen tells me where I need to be. With one more deep breath, I square my shoulders and follow the chatter.
“There she is,” Grandpa Rhett says when I enter the kitchen. “You hungry?”
“Yes.” I smile at him.
“So, for Christmas Eve, we have snack foods that Rosa always insists on making for us,” Valerie explains. “We sit around snacking, sometimes we play cards, we watch movies, we just… be. Then Christmas morning, we head to the local homeless shelter and serve. We started that once Rhett was too old to believe in Santa. After that, we come home, and I make Christmas dinner.”
“You coming with us tomorrow, Short Stack?” Rhett asks.
“I, uh, I don’t want to intrude,” I say.
“Never,” he says.
“We’d love to have you, Saylor,” his dad adds. “Jake and Molly go with us every year.”
“I don’t—” I start to say again that I don’t want to intrude, but Rhett interrupts me.
“I’ll swing by and pick y’all up in the morning. Be ready around nine,” he says.
He’s looking right at me. I give him a slight nod, and the smile that tips his lips tells me he’s happy with my decision. “What can I do to help?” I ask his mom.
“Nothing, dear. It’s all set up. Rosa spoiled me yet again with her preparation. Y’all grab a plate,” she says.
We all gather around and fill our plates with snack foods. Rosa really did go all out. I thought we would go to the dining room, but we don’t. Everyone grabs a seat in the living room. Oddly enough, we take the same seating as earlier, only this time, Rhett sits next to me instead of on the opposite end of the couch. We eat and talk. Molly and Valerie talk about the wedding, which Molly says is going to be small and intimate.
“What about you, Saylor? What kind of wedding do you want?” Valerie asks me.
“Honestly, I’ve never thought much about it,” I tell her.
“You’ve never thought about it? What about with your ex?” Molly says.
I laugh. “We were together for a while, but our relationship wasn’t all romance and flowers.” I shrug. “We hadn’t made any definite plans, and I was in no hurry to.”
“Sounds like you dodged a bullet,” Grandpa Rhett says.
“I think you’re right,” I agree with him. Pete sleeping with Tabitha and getting her knocked up might be one of the best things that’s ever happened to me in my long line of bad situations.
“Who’s ready for some bullshit?” Jerry asks. His face is split with his grin.
“Have you ever played?” Grandpa Rhett asks me.
“No, I have no clue,” I admit.
“You’re in for a treat, Short Stack,” Rhett says next to my ear.
Goose bumps break out across my skin. Why is he affecting me like this? He’s just a guy, a really, really good-looking guy. “Why’s that?”
“These two”—he points to his gramps and Jerry—“are the best bullshitters I know.”
“So, how do you play?” I ask Jerry.
“You got a poker face, darlin?” he asks.
“Um, not that I’m aware of. I’ve never played poker. My extent of card games stops at Go Fish and Uno.”
Jerry claps his hands and rubs them together. “Sit by me, sweetheart. I’ll show you the ropes.”
“I don’t think she needs you corrupting her,” Valerie chimes in. “Us ladies will stick together.”
“Okay, so here’s how you play,” Jake says. I listen to him explain the game, and it doesn’t seem hard. I basically have to bullshit on how many cards I have. I can do this.
I follow the crowd down to the basement where there is a round professional card table set up. Valerie motions for Molly and me to sit on either side of her, claiming girl power and all that. Grandpa Rhett ends up on my other side. Jerry is beside Molly with Rhett’s dad in the middle of Rhett and Jake across from us.
“Let the games begin!” Jerry exclaims with a chuckle.
And so we do. We spend a few hours playing the game that has us in a fit of laughter the entire time. I learned quickly to pay attention, to read each of them. Grandpa Rhett and Jerry are good, but not good enough. All my life I’ve been in the shadows. I’ve watched people, and I’ve hidden my emotions. I know better than anyone how to hide what you’re feeling. I never thought that particular trait would come in handy in anything other than protecting my heart, but here I am calling bullshit on Grandpa Rhett for… I’ve lost count how many times. His brown eyes, not quite the cognac color of Rhett’s, sparkle with laughter.
“Girlie, you’re giving an old man a run for his money,” he claims, laughing.
“Oh wait! We’re playing for money? I better step up my game,” I tease him.
The table bursts into laughter. Grandpa leans into me and whispers, “I told you you were family.”
My eyes mist with tears as I give him a smile. When I look up, I find Rhett’s eyes on me. He raises his eyebrows in question. I’m not sure if he wants to know if I’m okay or what it is his grandfather just whispered to me. Either way, I smile, letting him know I’m good and quickly look away.
“It’s getting late. We probably ought to get home,” Jake says. Jerry and Rhett’s dad clean up the cards while the rest of us head upstairs. “I’m going to go start the truck.” Jake kisses Molly on the cheek. He walks to the window in the front room and holds up his remote.
“So, I’ll be there to get you all early in the morning. Around nine,” Rhett says from his spot next to me.
“Okay. Thank you. Are you sure it’s okay if I tag along?”
He reaches up and pushes my bangs out of my eyes. “Yeah, Short Stack, it’s okay.”
“Well, I don’t think we’re going to be going anywhere,” Jake says from behind us. We all turn to face him.
“Why’s that?” Molly asks.
“There’s ice everywhere. It’s too slick to drive.”
“Well, we’ve got the space. Jake and Molly, you can stay in the room just down from Jerry. Saylor, you can stay in the room across the hall from Rhett. He’ll show you where to go. The rest of you follow me,” Grandpa Rhett says. “I’ll dig out something for you to sleep in,” he says, turning to make his way up the steps.