Page 112 of Falling For You

With a squeal of excitement, I launched myself into his arms, my heart soaring.

“Owen!” I cried, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding on tight. He stumbled back slightly with the force of my enthusiasm, laughing as he caught me in his strong embrace.

“I guess you missed me,” he teased, his breath warm against my ear.

“Of course I missed you!” I said, pulling back just enough to look at his face, my eyes searching his for any sign that this wasn’t real. He wasn’t here, standing on my doorstep, days earlier than I expected. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming back until next week!”

He smiled that familiar, lopsided grin that weakened my knees. “I couldn’t wait that long. Figured I’d come back early and surprise you.”

I stared at him for a moment, my heart swelling with so much joy that it felt like I might burst. He was back. He was really back. And suddenly, the emptiness I’d been feeling for days melted away.

“Was it the llama costume luring you back?” I said, still grinning as I hugged him tightly once more.

“No, the llama pictures you texted were plenty.”

He walked inside after me and closed the door. “Smells amazing in here.”

The scent of freshly baked muffins filled the air, mingling with the scents of pine and cinnamon from the holiday decorations.

Owen unwrapped his scarf and shrugged out of his coat, hanging it by the door before turning to face me. His eyes roamed around the cabin, taking in the twinkling lights, the stockings still hung by the fireplace, and the tree standing proudly in the corner.

“Wow,” he said, his gaze lingering on the tree. “It’s like a Christmas postcard in here. There’s even more stuff in here.”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool even though I was still excited. “Well, I had to do something with my time.”

He smiled and stepped closer, slipping his arms around my waist. “I like it. It’s perfect.”

I leaned into him, resting my hands on his chest as I looked up at him, the warmth between us almost overwhelming. “So, tell me everything. How was Christmas with your family?”

Owen sighed, his smile softening as he guided me toward the couch. “It was great. My brother proposed to his girlfriend, and she said yes. Everyone was really happy.”

I put a couple of muffins on a platter, and we sat down.

He waggled his brows. “I’m starving.”

I pulled a couple of blankets off the back of the couch, draping one over our legs. Owen settled beside me, his arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me close.

I handed him a muffin, and he took a bite.

“I’m so glad for your brother,” I said, nibbling on my muffin. “How did the proposal go?”

Owen chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, he was nervous as heck, but he pulled it off. He made her favorite breakfast on Christmas morning. He flew in all of her family as a surprise.” Owen nodded with a grin. “And he did it right there in front of everyone on Christmas morning, both in their pajamas. Totally his fiancée’s style.”

I chuckled. “I like her already.”

“It was pretty incredible.” He nodded.

“Did you happen to mention anything about us?”

He hesitated momentarily, and his eyes flicked to mine.

A pang of nerves rose in my chest.

“It was kind of funny, actually. They said I looked different.” He smiled, taking me in. “Happier. Lighter. My brothers kept asking me what was happening, but I didn’t want to steal MacGregor’s thunder. I finally told my family about you. About how you’ve changed everything for me.”

My heart skipped a beat, and my cheeks flushed at his words. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said, his thumb brushing softly against my arm. “They said they hadn’t seen me this happy in a long time. And, honestly, I haven’tfeltthis happy in a long time.”

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