I’d spent all morning on my house. Everything was unpacked, and it almost felt like a real home. However, it felt like something was missing. Staring at the Christmas tree, the only present under it was for Adeline. I was grateful I’d decided to make a quick trip to the local antique store the night before, to find something for her. For some reason, I knew she’d love it.

It was strange, but I’d started having moments where I could see Adeline and I together in my mind, yet none of it was real. There were memories of us riding together, and dancing with each other at a party, only we weren’t really ourselves. We looked different from what we were today, almost as if we were in another time. Either I had an extremely vivid imagination, I was remembering parts of a dream, or I was going insane.

The wind whipped by as I walked outside to my truck. The sky was thick, with whitish-gray clouds. We were scheduled to have a white Christmas, which was the one thing I’d missed while out in California.

Getting in my truck, I headed on my way to my parents’ house. It’d been so long since I’d been there. And when I pulled up, it looked exactly the same as it always had for Christmas, a brick, ranch-style house with a candle and a wreath in each window.

My mother opened the front door, waving excitedly. “It’s still hard to believe you’re here.” She hugged me tight and kissed my cheek. “And you brought presents too?”

Usually, I’d send everyone unwrapped presents in the mail. “Yep. And this year, I actually wrapped them.” I followed her into the living room and she set them under the tree.

My father stood and held out his arms. “Merry Christmas, son.”

I hugged him back. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”

He let me go and grinned. “I brought out the old poker set. Want to play after dinner?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

Trent walked in from the kitchen and snorted. “Be prepared to lose, brother. You’ve been away a long time.”

I cracked my knuckles. “I still have what it takes.”

My mother came back in and waved us into the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready, everyone.”

Jessica was already at the table, and waved when I walked in. “Hey, Will. Did you ever find Adeline a Christmas present?” She bit down on a carrot and smiled. She’d been the person I’d bounced my idea for a gift off of, right after she’d stopped squealing about our relationship being official, that is.

My mother stopped and stared at us, clearly fascinated by our conversation.

“I did,” I replied.

“Well,” she held up her hands, “what’d you get her?”

Mischievously, I smiled back. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Her lips pursed, and she acted as if she was going to throw her carrot at me. “I don’t like you right now. Have you talked to her today?”

I nodded. “Briefly. She’s over at her parents’ house.”

“Is she not coming over for dinner?” my mother asked.

“Not this time.” Although, I really wished I could see her. The visions in my head kept getting more and more pronounced. I didn’t know what to make of it. There was simply no explanation.

“Will let Adeline decorate his house,” Trent tattled as he walked into the kitchen.

My mother gasped. “Seriously? I’m impressed. Then again, this is Adeline we’re talking about. She’s so sweet. I’m surprised she’s not already married.”

Jessica winked at me, before turning her attention to my mother. “She just hasn’t found the right man . . . until now.”

My mother patted my cheek. “We can only hope, dear. Adeline deserves someone good.” She lifted her brows in warning. I knew what it meant. She’d already told me not to break her heart, and I wasn’t planning on it.

Deep down, I knew I was the right guy for her, but I wasn’t about to say it out loud. It was too soon to think like that, or was it? I wasn’t so sure anymore. I’d never felt this way in my entire life. It was crazy.

After dinner, my brother, father, and I played poker for a couple of hours, while Jessica and my mother baked cookies. “One more game and I’m calling it a night,” I said.

My father dealt out the last hand and chuckled. “Good. I don’t think I can afford any more. You’re kicking our butts.”

Trent rolled his eyes, while I grinned slyly, tossing a poker chip at him. “What’s wrong, brother, upset that you’re losing?”

He snarled, then smiled. “You just got lucky tonight, that’s all. I guess I can’t be too angry with you after my Christmas present.”

“I’d say not,” I said, laughing. “You just need to pick a weekend when you and Jess can get away from the hospital.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make it happen. At least mom and Jessica can enjoy the trip too.”

That was why I planned it that way. The guys would all go on a fishing excursion off the Florida Keys, while my mom and Jess enjoyed that time at the spa. Everyone would be happy.

When our final round of poker was done, and I’d cleaned the table yet again, my dad stood up and held out his hands. “Don’t get up yet. There’s something I want to say to you two.”

Eyes darting to Trent, he shrugged. Apparently, he was just as confused as I was, so we both looked up to Dad, in time to see his smile fade.

He sighed. “In a way, I don’t want this night to end. It’s the first time we’ve all been together like this in a long while.” He focused on me. “I’m glad you’re back. Your mother and I have missed you.” Tears filled his eyes as he looked at us both. “There are so many days I wish I could turn back time and redo all of my mistakes. I missed so much of your childhoods.”

Trent and I looked at each other, and it was then I could see that our father’s actions had affected him too. “It’s okay, Dad. We turned out just fine,” I said.

My father shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m so sorry for not being there.”

I placed my hand over his. “You’re here now.”

Nodding, he squeezed my hand. “Yes, I am.”

Trent and I hugged him, and even though his words would never turn back time, we could always move forward. “I love you, Dad,” I said.

“I love you too, son.”

A sniffle could be heard behind us and I turned around to see my mother with tears running down her cheeks. She hurried over and joined in on the hug. “You boys just made my heart melt.”

It felt good to be a part of the family again. I’d been away from it for so long, I almost forgot what it felt like. “We love you too, Mom.”

Pulling into my driveway, I was tempted to call Adeline, but I ended up putting my phone away. What was I going to say? That I was having visions of us together? She’d laugh in my face and run far away.

The Christmas tree lights were on when I walked inside, so I sat down on the couch and stared at her handiwork. Adeline’s present glittered in the light, and it caught my attention. Heart racing, I closed my eyes and blew it out.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

Grabbing the present, I headed back outside to my truck before I could rethink my actions. I couldn’t wait any longer to see her. It was late, but I didn’t care.

Her long, quarter-mile driveway was lined with trees, all lit with white lights. Even the fences to either side were decorated with garland and red ribbons. Unfortunately, when I pulled up at the house, her car was nowhere to be seen. Her house, however, was decked out with lights, wreaths, and garland.

Taking it all in, it was almost like I’d been there before. That strange feeling of déjà vu came back with a vengeance. I got out of my truck and walked up onto the front porch. Whether I was dreaming or not, I remembered standing in that exact same spot, with Adeline in my arms. There’d been mistletoe above our heads, and I’d kissed her.

There were a couple of lights on inside the house, but I knew Adeline wasn’t there. I knocked anyway, just in case. When she didn’t answer, I sat down on the front porch, my gaze landing on the field to the side of her house. It was hilly and covered in snow—the perfect place to sled. Another flashback came to mind. It was of us racing down that very same hill, using old sleds. There were kids around, laughing and screaming with joy.

“I’m seriously going insane. What is going on?” Closing my eyes, I leaned against the house. So many visions swarmed through my mind, that I gave in to it all. The cold wind blew all around me, but all I could focus on was the last memory I had of Adeline. It made no sense at first, but then it all became clear.

We were sitting on her front porch, exactly where I was sitting now, bundled up in quilts. Her body was close to mine as I held her.

“I love you, William.”

Loving her was the easiest decision I’d ever made. “I love you too, Adeline.” One of her tears fell on my hand. I lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Why are you crying?”

“Because you’re not real. I’m only dreaming.”

That was exactly how I felt. I knew it was a dream, and I didn’t want to wake up. Waking up would mean losing her. In my dream, I could be the man I wanted to be, with the woman I loved. “Of course, I’m real,” I said, knowing it wasn’t necessarily true.

I kissed her, making sure she could really feel me. Her lips were so warm. How could something so wonderful not be real? “You wouldn’t be able to feel that, if I weren’t real.”

“You’re real in my heart,” she whispered. “Just promise me you won’t forget about me.”

“Adeline, what’s going on?” How could it be that she knew it was a dream? I was the one who didn’t belong in 1865.

She grabbed my face, her eyes desperate. “When I wake up, I’ll remember you. Promise me you’ll do the same.”

I kissed her again, knowing there was no way I could ever forget about her. Then, it was as if everything started to shimmer away. “I promise,” I said, not knowing if she heard me. Everything went dark after that.

Gasping, I jerked awake. Looking around, there was still no sign of Adeline. Pulling out my phone, I called Jessica.

She yawned. “Will, you okay? It’s late.”

I looked down at my watch and it was closing in on midnight. “I’m sorry. I accidentally fell asleep on Adeline’s front porch. She never came home.”

She yawned again. “That’s because she stays at her parents’ house all night on Christmas Eve.”

Groaning, I stood and rubbed my eyes. “She didn’t tell me that.”

“Are you okay? You don’t sound right.”

“I don’t know, Jess. I wish I knew how to explain it. I’m sorry I called you so late.”

“No worries. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

We hung up and I got in my truck. If my dreams were real, there was only one way to find out for sure.