Page 98 of Catching the Mistletoe

“Okay. You can have the first shower, if you like. I don’t mind getting breakfast organized.”

“Mm, no. I don’t think so.”

“No?”

“No. Now that I’ve got you, I’m not letting you out of my sight. So we’re gonna shower together, then I want to spend the whole day exploring Shenandoah with you.”

Her eyes turned dreamy, and she kissed me again. “I’ve never heard a more perfect plan.”

And that’s exactly what we did.

After we checked in with Evelyn, we headed out and found a cozy café in the park. We ate a late breakfast, our fingers tangled together on the table. Arabella’s eyes were clear and bright, and the tension that had been vibrating through me was gone, replaced by a lightness that was almost overwhelming.

From there, we wandered down to the valley floor, where the snow was deeper, and we were surrounded by the towering trees of the national park. Arabella slipped and I caught her, swinging her into my arms, our laughter ringing out in the cold air.

We didn’t talk much, but we didn’t need to.

In the afternoon, we found a lodge that was offering sleigh rides, and we sat close together, bundled up and snug, gazing out over the landscape as the sleigh glided along the snow. The air was crisp and cold and fresh and I leaned back, my arm around Arabella, letting the moment sink into me. It was all so impossibly perfect that at times I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. Because how could life, my life, be this beautiful? This goddamn perfect? Then Arabella would turn to me, smile, kiss me, slip her hand in mine. Tell me that she loved me. There was no escaping that, so yeah, somehow I’d become the luckiest man on the planet, because my life was this beautiful, this perfect.

Finally, we returned to the RV, hand in hand and ready for dinner, to find Evelyn and Sam waiting for us.

“Hey, you two.” Evelyn’s gaze dropped to our joined hands, and her smile widened.

“Hey! Have you got some news for us?” Arabella unlocked the RV and we hurried in out of the cold.

“Yep. We’ve got one final stop for the Caravan of Christmas and it’s happening tomorrow.”

“Oh wow! Where’s it at?”

Evelyn’s smile widened. “Slow River Ranch.”

Arabella went perfectly still, gazing at Evelyn for the longest time, before tears welled in her eyes. I went to her immediately and wrapped my arms around her. “Sorry! I’m being a bit weird. Don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Her voice was muffled against my chest.

“You’re fine. How about I make us some tea?”

“That’d be great, thanks Evelyn.” I guided Arabella to the dining table and sat down next to her.

Sam sat across from us, smiling like an indulgent father. “You’ll be happy to see everyone.”

“Hoooly fuck! I’m so excited! I can’t wait.” Arabella wiped at her tears, her smile radiant.

CHAPTER35

Arabella

Turning onto the gravel path that snaked through Slow River Ranch, I felt every pebble and bump under the RV’s tires like a drumroll. Excitement buzzed through me, a live wire of anticipation that had me bouncing in my seat, eyes wide, taking in every familiar sight.

Mack threw me a smile that could’ve lit up the gloomy Carolina skies, and I smiled back, unable to contain the thrill. “Almost there,” he said, his voice mingling with the gravelly crunch that always sounded like ‘welcome home.’

The ranch came into view, the stone and timber of the main house peeking through the copse of trees, standing proud and welcoming. I swear I’d been holding my breath for the last ten miles, and I let it out now.

The RV rounded the corner of the main house and as we edged closer to Kiddo’s Quarters, we could see the crowd that was waiting out the front for us. My whole family, by the looks of it, a camera crew, the host we’d met in San Francisco and at least thirty kids.

“Is that... Oh my god! Gran and Grandpa are here! Jesus, I think I’m gonna cry.”

The moment Mack pulled the RV to a stop, I reached over and pressed hard on the horn. All the kids cheered as it blared the tune for Jingle Bells. Then I was out the door. “Mom!” In less than half a second, my mom had her arms around me and we were both crying. Then Genevieve was there, wrapping me in a tight hug. “Welcome home.”

“Oh god! It’s so good to be back.”

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