It had only been a few hours since I’d last seen Will, but I couldn’t get him out of my mind. It was a wonder I got anything done around the house, while walking on cloud nine. But after all the hard work, everything was finally ready for the big Christmas party the following day. The ham was ready to be put in the oven, and once everyone brought their sides, it would be a feast.

A knock sounded on my door and I already knew who it was going to be. I’d seen him earlier this morning, putting my horses back in the barn. Arnold, my neighbor down the road, had been taking care of my family’s horses for the past twenty years. He was in his late-fifties, with graying red hair. I grabbed his check off the foyer table and opened the door.

He took off his hat and smiled. “Morning, Adeline. Merry Christmas.”

“Same to you, Arnold. Got lots planned with the family?”

His grin brightened. “We do. My oldest son and daughter-in-law are coming in from Charleston to spend Christmas with us. I’m ready to see my grandbabies.”

I hugged him hard and smiled. “I know you are. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful Christmas.” I let him go and handed him his check.

“Thank you, darling. Are you going over to your parents for Christmas again?”

“You know it. My mother and I have tons to bake. I’ll be sure to save you some treats.”

He chuckled. “Thank you. I think you know how much I look forward to them every year. Are you sure you don’t need me to come by next week?”

I shook my head. “I’m good. With no school, I’ll have plenty of time on my hands once Christmas is over.”

He looked inside my house at all the decorations. “You’ll need a week just to put away all of that,” he said, laughing.

I waved him off. “I can handle it. Besides, these decorations will stay up way past next week. My Christmas spirit hangs on until early February.”

Arnold slipped his hat back on and smiled. “Take care, Adeline. I’ll see you after the holidays.”

“Sounds good.” Turning on his heel, he walked down to his truck and left. I took one last look around, before grabbing my bag off the floor and locking the door. One day, I’d have my own family to celebrate Christmas with.

When I arrived at my parents’ house, my father was in the garage, working on his candy apple red 1970 Chevy truck. He loved old cars. When he wasn’t working for the power company, he was in his garage.

I shut my car door and he looked over at me, grinning wide.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

I walked over and looked at the shiny, new engine. “Looking good.”

He snorted. “It better. I’ve worked on this thing for six months straight. It runs like a champ now.” Looking down at his hands, he cringed. “I would hug you, but I don’t want to get you dirty.”

“No worries. I’ll be here all night.” I patted my bag. “I brought us a bottle of wine to drink tonight.” It was what we did every Christmas Eve. My mother and I would bake, while he and I drank a bottle of wine.

He winked. “Sounds good. I’ll be in soon.” I kissed his cheek and walked past him to the kitchen door.

I’d just gotten inside, when my phone beeped with an incoming text. I set my parents’ Christmas presents under the tree before looking at my phone. Seeing the message, I couldn’t stop from smiling.

William: Merry Christmas Eve!

My mother was already in the kitchen, rolling the sugar cookie dough, while Christmas music played over the radio. She stared curiously at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that. Who, might I ask, has put it on your face?”

After setting my purse on the table, I grabbed a seat at the bar across from my mother. “It’s William, Trent’s brother. We’ve been spending some time together here recently.” I texted him back.

Me: Merry Christmas Eve to you too! I’ll be sure to save you some goodies!

William: I’m counting on it. See you tomorrow.

Me: Can’t wait!

“It sounds pretty serious,” my mother noticed. If she only knew.

I shrugged. “It’s a little complicated, actually. I wish I could explain it. But William is different from any guy I’ve ever known.” Closing my eyes, I could still see images of him in the past, intermingled with who he was now. He was a gentleman in both times. I opened my eyes back up and met my mother’s gaze.

“How is he different?”

I blew out a breath. “I don’t even know where to begin. He’s extremely good-looking, yet he doesn’t let that get to his head.”

“You mean, not like the others you’ve dated, parading around like their God’s gift to women?”

“Yes, nothing like those.” I laughed, shaking my head incredulously. “William is sweet and funny, but he’s also an alpha male who gets what he wants. Let me tell you, he doesn’t stop until he gets it either. He turned Blair Realty into a multi-million-dollar company.”

My mother snickered, and my cheeks burned. “I see. What exactly does he want from you?”

I shrugged. “Don’t know just yet. It’s all pretty new.” I was still waiting for him to remember the dream. If he could, we could pick up where we left off. “But,” I added, “we have a lot in common. None of the men I’ve dated in the past have ever ridden on a horse. Will does. He’s adventurous, and you know how I love that.”

She snorted. “Yes, I know. You were always traipsing through the woods and digging things up. The museum wouldn’t have half of the things they do, if it wasn’t for you and your grandfather.”

“Those were the good ol’ days,” I murmured. “Every time Pappy and I found something new, it was always so exciting. I miss him more than anything.”

Her gaze saddened. “So do I. And you know your father was torn up at his passing. But you always understood him more than anyone. Granted, I loved hearing his stories about the past, but neither I nor your father ever appreciated it like you did. You were his world.”

I could still remember the way his face lit up when I told him I was going to be a history major in college.

She finished rolling out the dough and started cutting out snowflake cookies. “You should’ve brought him by to meet me and your father.”

“He’s with his family tonight. I was asked to join them, but I wasn’t about to skip out on our Christmas Eve tradition.”

Mouth gaping, she shook her head. “Adeline, you could’ve spent it with him. You’re getting older, and I’ve known for a long time that one day you’re going to have your own family to spend with on the holidays.”

“I know, Mom. But I wanted to be here with you. Besides, he just moved to town, and I know his family missed him a great deal. They need this time with him.”

She stopped cutting out the cookies and stared at me. “Why do you seem sad though?”

I wanted to tell her about Margaret, my dream, and everything that’d happened over the past few days, but she’d think I was crazy. “No reason,” I lied. “I’m just looking forward to making apple pastries. They’re going to be better this year.”

“How is that?”

Getting up, I walked to the other side of the kitchen, where the bowl of apples was. “There’s a new technique I learned.” I washed the apples and grabbed the shredder from the cabinet.

Her eyes lit up. “You’re going to shred them?”

“Yep. It helps the filling to stay inside the pastry.”

Once she put the cookies in the oven, she walked over and watched me. “I’m curious to see how they turn out. Want a glass of wine?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

She poured me a glass of white wine and handed it to me. “After we finish the baking, want to watch a movie? I think there’s a new Hallmark Christmas movie coming on at four.”

I started on the dough and smiled. “I’d love to.”

For the next few hours, we baked, decorated the cookies, and my mother made her famous chocolate fudge. My father even snuck in to steal a few pieces, while my mother had her back turned. It was going to be a good night.