A tickling sensation on my cheek wakes me from an incredibly realistic dream. Before I even open my eyes, I feel Hunter’s warm body pressed against my back and his muscular arm draped over my waist. By the time we fell asleep, it was especially late—or very, very early, depending on how you look at it.

When I finally pry my eyes open, I find a large pair of nostrils close to my face and wiry whiskers brushing against my cheek. “Well, good morning, Blue. You seem bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.”

He leans into my hand when I reach up to scratch underneath his jaw. I slide off the large cot to check Blue’s vitals, and Hunter turns over in his sleep, taking the blanket with him. The medication I gave Blue last night to clear his colic has already worked, and he’s ready to eat again. He nudges me several times before looking at his empty feed bin. The couple of handfuls of hay I give him are gone within a few minutes, and he’s looking for more, so I fill his water bucket and call Dad.

“Blue is fine now, Dad. The episode cleared, so I gave him some hay. His appetite is back full force. He ate all of what I gave him and is already demanding more. He’s drinking his water, too.”

“I’m glad to hear that, jelly bean. Be sure to tell Hunter to keep an eye on Blue’s water intake for the next week or so to make sure he stays well hydrated.”

“Okay. I’ll be home soon, and we can start our family Christmas. Did Amelia make it back last night?”

“Yes, she did.” Dad laughs out loud. “Chief Land brought her home on his snowmobile. She and Chad were stranded in the snow out by the lake.”

“Doesn’t Chad have a four-wheel-drive truck?”

“He does, but he was trying to impress her with his Mercedes sedan. It doesn’t go quite as well in the deep snow.”

“I’m so glad Chief Land got her instead of me this time.” It’s so much funnier when this happens to someone other than me.

“It’s still early, jelly bean. Be careful what you say.”

After I walk Blue for several minutes up and down the barn corridor, I put him back in the stall and feed him again. Hunter is still knocked out on the cot. He must’ve been much more tired than he showed last night. I sit down beside him and run my fingers through his hair.

“Hunter.”

He rolls over and rests his head in my lap. “Why are you up so early?”

“First, it’s not that early. And second, because Blue decided it was time for me to get up and feed him.”

Hunter’s eyes fly open, and he uses his arms to push himself up. “What? Already?”

“Yep, he’s already back to normal. I’ve fed him, watered him, and walked him. You need to watch him over the next week and make sure he’s drinking enough, but Dad thinks he’ll be fine now.”

“Does that mean you’re leaving now?”

“I have to, Hunter. It’s Christmas Day. I have to go home and spend some time with my family. But first, I’m going to Gran’s house and having a talk with her. She owes me an explanation. And she’d better have a damn good one.”

“Do I get to see you again later today?”

What am I doing? I’m going back to Georgia in a few days.

“You’re welcome to come by whenever you’re ready and hang out with us. Bring your parents if you want.”

“That’s a great idea. I will take you up on that and see you again very soon.”

The goodbye kiss he lays on me should come with its own heat warning. CAUTION: COMBUSTIBLE.

The crews must have started early this morning because the roads have already been cleared when I leave the barn. The good news is the clear roads make it easier to get to Gran’s. The bad news is the clear roads make it easier to get to Gran’s.

Practicing my speech over and over makes the drive go by much faster than usual. I’ve got the perfect discourse all planned out in my head. Of course, the moment I see her, it’ll all dissipate, and I’ll blow the entire conversation within seconds.

When I pull into her driveway, I immediately notice her sitter’s car isn’t there, and neither is Mom’s. I ring the doorbell and hear Gran’s voice call out, telling me to come in. The door is unlocked, so I walk in and find her shuffling through the house with her walker to steady her gait.

“Hello, Mallory. I was wondering when you’d show up here alone to see me. Let’s have a seat and put all our cards out on the table, shall we?”

“Absolutely. I think we’re long overdue to face the music of the past.”

She offers me a cup of coffee before taking her seat across from me. “You look like you’ve been out all night.”

“I have been out all night—with Hunter.”

“Of course you have. You never could stay away from that boy.”

“He’s not just a boy, Gran. He’s a full-grown, successful man now. What’s your excuse for not wanting us to be together?”

“I see. He told you, didn’t he?”

“He did, but he didn’t know that I’d actually overheard you telling him what to say when he broke up with me. Whatever lie you’re planning to tell me next, don’t bother. I’ve had your number for many years now.”

“I don’t have any lies left in me, Mallory. Yes, I did make him end the relationship between you two, but that was for your own good. You had the grades and test scores to go to college anywhere. But you couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Hunter long enough to ensure your own future. When you started saying you didn’t need a college degree and you could make enough to get by working at the grocery store ten minutes away, I knew I had to stop you from making the worst mistake of your life.”

“That wasn’t your decision to make.”

“Maybe not, but I’d do it again tomorrow if I had to, if it helped you. Mallory, you’re too smart and have too many opportunities to just throw them away. You went off to college, you got out of this small town, and you’ve experienced what it’s like to be out on your own. Those experiences make you stronger and wiser in the long run. I’m sorry my meddling caused you pain, but you and I both know what is meant to be will be. If you’re meant to be with Hunter, nothing will keep you two apart.”

“Don’t ever presume to interfere in my life like that again. I’m an adult, and I make my own decisions. I also make my own mistakes, and I own them. Manipulating me only makes me want to stay away from you even more than I already have. I remember how badly you treated Mom, the best woman I know, and I assure you, you will never treat me that way. I will cut you out of my life completely, and you’ll never know what’s happening with me.”

“I’ve apologized to Jackie and asked her forgiveness for how I acted. I was wrong about her from the start. Pete has always loved her more than anyone, but I thought she was just after his money for the longest time.”

“What money? They both went to veterinary school and have been paying off student loan debt ever since. They work hard for what they have. They sacrifice, giving up what they want to help others in need. I never understood why you called Mom a gold digger.”

She sits back and stares at me in disbelief for a moment, absently circling the rim of her coffee cup with her index finger. “You really don’t know, do you?”

“What do I not know? What are you talking about now?”

“Your father and you both come from a very wealthy family. My parents made a fortune on the stock market late in life. As their only child, I inherited that money when they passed. When your dad was still a baby, I started an account for him, so he’d be taken care of his entire life. I admit, I waited several years after he married your mom to finally sign the account over to him. All this time, I never knew he didn’t actually use the money, though.”

“He’s never even mentioned it. If they didn’t have the money to buy what they wanted, they waited until they saved enough.”

She nods, but I think she’s experiencing a deeper understanding than she’s sharing with me.

“Mallory, I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m sorry for intruding into your relationship with Hunter. I’m sorry for making you not want to have a relationship with your own grandmother. I hope you’ll forgive me, so I can undo all the wrongs.”

“What are you not telling me?” I sense something else is going on here. The apologies. The sitters. The simple surgery that requires more medical care than usual.

“I didn’t have hernia surgery. I have cancer, Mallory. I’m dying. It started a couple of years ago. I had surgery to remove the tumor before going through chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But I couldn’t tolerate the treatment—it was killing me faster than the cancer was. We stopped the treatment early, knowing it would come back. And now that it has, there’s nothing more they can do for me but keep me comfortable. Your mom has been spending time with me every day because I realized what a wonderful daughter she is and how lucky I am to have her in my son’s life.”

Tears spring to my eyes, and I feel as if the breath has been knocked out of my body by a sledgehammer to the chest.

“I-I had no idea.” My words come out in a stammer from my tongue-tied disbelief.

“Now, don’t be mad at your parents for not telling you. I made them promise to let me be the one to tell you. Although, I didn’t want you to know before you agreed to forgive me. I’m not asking for pity—I genuinely want my granddaughter to come around. Often.”

“I forgive you…and not out of pity. But because you sincerely asked me to and you apologized for what happened before. And I do want to be in your life again.”

“Good. Because I’m leaving everything to you in my will. That would make it a little awkward at the reading if you still weren’t speaking to me.” The teasing gleam in her eye is a welcome sight. A little of the old Gran I used to know is still in there.

“To me? Why not to Daddy?”

“He refused. Your mom did too. Said they have everything they need and could ever want, and they both want you to have my estate.”

“I can’t tell you how unbelievably depressed that statement makes me feel. The only way that happens is if you’re gone, Gran. I don’t want that.”

“Don’t you worry about a thing, my sweet girl. Death is a natural part of life. Have you ever noticed the dates on a headstone? It shows the day you were born, and it shows the day you died, and in between, there’s a dash separating them. What matters most is that you live your life to the fullest every day of that dash. I want you to remember me with happiness, not sadness. I’ve lived my life, and when I die, my husband will be there waiting for me on the other side. I will not be sad one bit.”

We finish our coffee with Gran telling stories of when she and Grandpa were dating. Before too long, I realize she’s growing tired and her skin is paler than when I arrived. She’s probably been up longer than usual, just to spend time with me while I’m home.

“Gran, let’s get you dressed, and you come home with me for Christmas. Spend the day with Mom, Dad, Amelia, me, and Hunter. I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

“I’d love that, Mallory. Thank you.” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, making mine turn on like a faucet again.

She shuffles off to her bedroom to clean up and change clothes, so I call Hunter to fill him in on her change of heart. And to warn him that she’ll be at the house all day spending Christmas Day with us, just in case he changes his mind about showing up.

“I don’t care who’s there, Mallory. If you’re there, that’s all I care about. No one but you can keep me away.”

“I do want you there with me, Hunter. Tell Chad to come if he wants to. He can bring his sister and niece too. Mom and Dad would be thrilled to have a house full of people today. Mom always makes too much food anyway. We’ll have the huge family Christmas we’ve always wanted.”

With Gran in tow, I rush home to shower and get dressed before all the company I’ve invited over shows up. As I’m jumping into the shower, I hear Gran telling Mom who all is on the way to spend the day with us. Mom squeals with delight and orders Amelia to grab more plates and silverware to set the table. When I’m fully dressed and finally presentable, I stroll back into the den and find it full of the people I love the most.

Hunter with his parents. Chad with his sister and her daughter. Amelia, Mom, Dad, and Gran round out the picture. Despite Gran’s bad news about her health and the stress over the past twenty-four hours, my heart is full. Everyone who means the world to me is right here in Cringle Cove, the very place I’ve avoided for way too long. The only man I’ve ever loved and wanted has been here all along, waiting for me to come back to my senses and back to him.

I’ve finally come home.

All it takes is one look at the chocolate-with-flecks-of-gold-eyed angel and I’m wrapped around his little finger.

And one day, something else golden will be wrapped around our ring fingers.