Page 3 of A World Without You
“You’re crazy,” he breathes.
“Don’t call me crazy...”
“Olivia—” There’s desperation in the way he says my name, but I don’t stop to hear it.
“I’m done, Colin. I’m starting over.”
“You’ll regret this,” he says, his tone stern.
“So will you,” I counter, and the silence that fills the line pulls our hearts farther apart.
I don’t try to fill the angry pause, nor does Colin. I know he’s fuming. I know this isn’t how an eight-year relationship is supposed to end. But this town put me under a spell, and the antidote is Graham. I can feel it in my bones.
Finally, Colin scoffs and says, “Merry Christmas, Olivia.” And hangs up.
Bricks sink in my gut and tears pool on my lashes. I’m unable to distinguish if it’s regret or sadness making me cry. All I know is this is either going to be the best thing to ever happen to me or the worst decision I’ve ever made.
I wander through the crowd of the Christmas party, keeping my tears at bay, trying to let the holiday cheer drown out my sorrow. My heart feels a minuscule ounce of hope when the crowd parts, and I see Graham standing next to the town Christmas tree. His smile is bright, and his eyes sparkle as he makes his way toward me.
“I heard you’re staying,” he says, gingerly taking my hands in his.
“Word travels fast,” I remark, and he flashes me a bashful smile.
“It’s a small town,” he says, and I laugh. “Hey, can I show you something?”
I stare up at him with stars in my eyes. “Anything.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re just outside of town, traveling down a gravel driveway that leads to a barn. There are two horses in the stable, and he dutifully tacks the horses and helps me get on the one named Shirley. He climbs on the one named Temple.
Their names make me laugh, and the blush creeping into Graham’s cheeks makes me giddy with nerves and anticipation. Logically, I know I should rear back and think about every single consequence I could have from doing this, but my heart wants me to be truly reckless for the first time in my life.
The snow falls lightly, dusting the horse’s mane with tiny snowflakes and making each hoof of the horse land softly with a hushed crunch. When Graham turns to smile at me over his shoulder, there are tiny snowflakes stuck to his beard and eyelashes. His smile is the most endearing thing I’ve ever seen. Here he is, this burly farmer with big muscles who wears flannel, knows how to sling an ax, and make me weak in the knees. But his smile makes me feel like I have him wrapped around my finger.
I breathe into the scarf wrapped around my neck to keep warm, thinking,this is a dream. I am living in a dream.
When we get to a clearing with a perfect view of the Cascade Mountain Range, Graham hops off his horse and says, “This is my property. I’m going to build a house here. I’m going to build a life here.”
I have this wild idea that maybe I’ll get to be a part of it, then immediately bury that notion because I realize how absurd it seems. I’ve been stuck in this town for five days. I just broke up with my almost-fiancé a few hours ago. And now, I’m standing in a snow-covered field, surrounded by mountains and the arms of a man I just met, but feel like I’ve known for all of eternity.
“That’s beautiful, Graham,” I say softly, letting his hands wrap around my waist. “You are going to make someone very happy someday.”
He pulled me tighter so my body was flush against his. Layers of fabric separate us but even still, it seems our hearts are beating as one. I suck in a short breath as he lowers his face, brushing his nose against mine.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first saw you that night at the pub.” His voice is deep and sends chills all over my body.
“Did the mistletoe at the corner store not count?” I ask, remembering my first morning here. I had hopped over to the corner store and found myself running into Graham and standing under the mistletoe. The owner, Miss Eidelman, chantedkiss, kiss!Until a quick, soft peck landed on the corner of my mouth. I drew back in shock and said,I have a boyfriend. Graham was mortified, but my insides erupted into butterflies.
He doesn’t miss my sarcasm and laughs. “That wasn’t a kiss. That was peer pressure.”
I twist my lips. “Yes, eighty-year-old women can be quite intimidating.”
“You don’t know Mrs. Eidelman like I do,” he remarks and I throw my head back and laugh.
My mind gets dizzy with the impossibility of what is about to happen and what I’m choosing. None of this was supposed to happen. Five days ago, I was dying to get home to my boyfriend in Seattle. Now, all I want to do is stay here in this small town, save the local newspaper, and kiss this man in front of me anytime I want.
Graham runs his hands up my arms and over my shoulders until he’s cradling my face in his hands. He brushes his lips over mine and electricity surges through my veins. Then he kisses me. Soft then hard. Hungry then starving. Enamored and then completely and unexpectedly in love.
