Page 30 of Mountain Gift

"Nothing," I say. "It's just… I'm excited."

"To talk to Lucy?"

"Of course." I stroke the back of his hand, and he flips it over, entwining his fingers with mine. "But I'm excited about this, too."

He returns my smile. Leaning forward, he kisses me on the lips again. Like he's done so, so many times in the last few days that I've lost count. But every time he does, it feels like the first time all over again.

"Me too," he says, squeezing my hand. "Can I get you something to drink before—?"

But before he can even finish the question, my phone starts to ring.

I answer it quickly, making sure that Boone is out of the frame of the camera. After a moment, Lucy's face appears on the screen.

"Hey, Lulu," I say sweetly.

"Hi, Mom," she says, grinning. She looks beautiful in the Christmas dress I bought for her. "Merry Christmas," she says.

"How's the family?" I ask. "How do you like Boston?"

As she tells me all about her adventures across the country, I listen closely, hanging onto every word. Even with my newest distraction, I've missed her so much. Even just hearing her voice is an incredible feeling.

As Lucy tells me about her adventures in downtown Boston earlier in the week, I risk a quick glance at Boone. And what I see on his face warms my heart so instantly and so fiercely, I almost feel like it could burst.

Boone is listening to her, too. To every word she says.

His face is patient and curious. Wanting to learn more about my daughter.

He notices me looking and brings his eyes to mine. He smiles, making my heart threaten to burst again.

There is so much love in his eyes already for this little girl that he's never met. Already, he adores her.

It's more than I could have ever wished for.

"So, how have you been, Mom?" Lucy asks, pulling my attention back to her.

"Great," I say. "I've been wonderful." I squeeze Boone's hand again.

Lucy smiles, too. "Good. You haven't been lonely?"

I have to hold back my laugh. "Not really. The uncles have been busy on the mountain, but… I've made some new friends in the meantime."

"Oh, cool. Are they nice?"

"Definitely."

"Can I meet them when I get back?" she asks.

"Of course, baby," I say, picturing the two of them together. Boone carrying her suitcase into the house. Cracking dad jokes and making her laugh.

A world of possibilities pours into me. This will be the first time since she was three years old that Lucy will have a father figure in her life. And after seeing that look in his eyes, I can picture exactly what kind of father figure Boone could be.

I can't wait to see it.

Later on,I hear Boone's car pull up in the driveway. I set down what I'm working on and head to the front door to greet him.

For a moment, I think I can hear him talking to someone. Though I can't make out what either of them is saying.

Carefully, I open the door. I see Boone standing at the bottom of the front steps, waving to someone out on the street. As I follow his eyes, I see a tow truck pulling away from the house. There's no one else within sight.

---