Page 66 of Festive Faking
“Thank you, Daisy,” I chimed in. “Tea sounds lovely.”
She was gone in a flash, and I grabbed the gift bags we’d brought with us from the cabin and tucked them beneath the tree. My special present for Aspen was burning a hole in my pocket, and my fingers twitched, palms growing sweaty as I tried to picture her reaction.
If there was one thing that could settle my racing heart, it was the woman herself, so I guided her to the couch, only managing to take a deep breath once she was settled beside me, the weight of her head against my shoulder bringing comfort.
Thisfelt so fucking right. We fit perfectly together, and now that we’d both let our guards down, it came so naturally.
Daisy returned with two steaming mugs, which she offered to us. I cupped the heated ceramic, bringing it to my lips and taking a sip. The warmth from the drink settled in my belly, only adding to the coziness of this relaxed family gathering.
I was thirty years old, and the vision of what I wanted for my future became crystal clear for the first time. This place and these people had brought it to the surface, and now the compulsion to make it a reality couldn’t be ignored.
Tomorrow, I would put the wheels in motion, but today, I was going to enjoy my first true family Christmas.
A wistful smile crossed Daisy’s face. “Seems like only yesterday that we had two little ones jumping on the bed before dawn, begging to open presents.”
Jett curled an arm around his wife. “Time sure flew by fast.” A rough chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Though it sure didn’t feel that way when we were in the thick of it.”
“Let that be a lesson to the both of you.” Daisy pointed to her children before adding, “You, too, Mac.”
I ducked my head to acknowledge I was ready to listen to whatever piece of wisdom she was about to impart.
“Take the time to enjoy life because, one day, you’ll blink and it’ll be nearly over.”
Silence descended upon the room under the weight of her statement.
I was more determined than ever to live without regrets. We were only given a short time on this Earth, and I knew exactly how I wanted to spend it.
“Are we doin’ presents or what?” Meemaw’s voice shattered the introspective moment.
Jett simply shook his head at his mother. “Sure you don’t want to eat first?”
“Nah. I gotta wait an hour after I take my pills.” She clapped her bony hands. “Tripp, you play Santa since you’re closest to the tree.”
Aspen’s brother stood to distribute the packages to their rightful recipients, but I halted him by clearing my throat.
“Actually, I have something I’d like to give Aspen first.”
Meemaw’s gasp rang out loud and clear. “Praise the Lord! Boy finally worked up the nerve to propose so I can get those great-grandbabies.”
You could have heard a pin drop as all eyes turned to the two of us on the couch, and Aspen’s blue ones widened in alarm.
Don’t worry, honey. I’m not that insane.
“Mac,” she hedged, drawing my name out.
I placed a reassuring hand on her knee and squeezed. To Meemaw, I replied, “Sorry to disappoint, ma’am, but maybe next year.” I tossed her a wink, and several chuckles sounded, the mood sufficiently lightened.
Shifting so I could reach into my pocket, I produced the figurine Rose had so kindly acquired for me. There hadn’t been time to wrap it even if I’d had the supplies.
The minute the horse-shaped ornament came into view, Aspen sucked in a sharp breath. “Is that—?”
I nodded in confirmation. “Called in a favor.”
Her hand reached out, tentatively stroking a fingertip over the horse’s carved gray mane.
When she peeked up at me, so many questions swam in her beautiful eyes. Swallowing, she managed to ask the simplest one. “Why?”
“Because I know how much your life here in Rust Canyon means to you. I wanted you to have this ornament as a symbol of home, so that wherever you go, you can look at it and remember what you’re working toward.”
