Page 48 of The Meaning in Mistletoe
“You make me feel like a blushing bride again—young and carefree, but also safe and deeply known. That kind of love is worth holding on to, no matter the obstacles.”
Jack felt Kat shift by his side. She stared into her lap, blinking hard. He would have given anything to know what she was thinking at that moment.
“We’ve had a bumpy road getting here, but I would do it all again, a million times over, if it meant being your wife until the Lord brings us home.”
As Beverly concluded her vows, and Pastor Bellman pronounced them husband and wife, the room erupted in cheers and applause as the newlyweds kissed.
They exited to “You Make Me Feel So Young” by Frank Sinatra, leading the guests into the lobby of the library for the simple hors d’oeuvre reception.
Kat stood, preparing to follow Penny and Colt, but Jack gently grabbed her elbow.
Her eyes wide and questioning, she turned to face him.
Suddenly nervous, he gathered a breath. “I was wondering… how do you feel about wassailing?”
Chapter 22
As she sat in the passenger seat of Jack’s truck, Kat wrapped a loose thread from her scarf around her pinky. In her dazed state, she coiled it so tightly, she cut off the circulation, turning the tip white.
Jack cast a worried side-glance in her direction. “Are you okay?”
“Uh-huh,” she lied, unraveling the strand to restore blood flow to her throbbing finger.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’m nervous, too,” he admitted, turning onto State Street. “And it means a lot to me that you’re here.”
He gifted her with a warm, grateful smile that momentarily eased her frantic nerves.
Focusing her gaze on the twinkling lights creating a canopy above the tree-lined street, she tried to settle her racing heart by taking slow, intentional breaths.
When Jack had explained his family’s wassailing tradition and invited her to join them, she’d been touched and surprised. Considering his long-standing feud with his father, she hadn’t expected Jack to go home during the holidays, let alone request her company.
On one hand, she couldn’t help reading into the significance of his invitation. It had to mean something. One didn’t simply bring a casual acquaintance along for such a monumental occasion, did they?
On the other hand, she wasn’t convinced meeting his family under such tense circumstances was a good idea. Maybe he should break the ice with his father first?
As if reading her thoughts, Jack added, “Don’t worry. My family takes hosting very seriously. In their mind, a tense or uncomfortable moment is as unforgivable as serving lukewarm tea to the Queen of England.”
Despite her anxious energy, Kat smiled. “And you’re sure they won’t mind me coming along?”
“Mind? They’ll be thrilled. Especially Lucy. She squealed on the phone for five whole minutes when I told her we’d be coming. I thought for sure she would pass out from lack of oxygen.”
Kat’s hands relaxed in her lap, comforted by the thought of finally meeting Jack’s sister. The woman sounded as warm and kindhearted as Jack, and she had a feeling they’d be fast friends. At least, she hoped they would be.
“Jack…” She hesitated, wanting to tread carefully. “Do you think it would be helpful if I knew what happened between you and your father? I wonder if having some context or background would help me interpret the dynamics between the two of you.”
He shifted his grip on the steering wheel, contemplating her question. When they reached the end of State Street, he turned right onto a wide, scenic road. The large, luxurious homes on either side seemed to increase in grandeur as they rumbled past.
“I want to tell you everything,” Jack said, sounding sincere. “But we’re almost there. For now, let’s just say my father used his wealth and connections to influence my life in a less than positive way. And he knew exactly what he was doing.”
Kat nodded, her chest aching on his behalf. While her emotions toward her mother were complicated—and Helena had caused her enough pain to last two lifetimes—her wounds were indirect consequences of her mother’s vices, not intentionally inflicted as Jack’s had been. Not that the knowledge made it any easier to forgive her.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, subconsciously resting her hand on the bench seat between them.
She hadn’t realized she’d done so until he reached for her, entwining their fingers as he steered with one hand. He paired a gentle squeeze with another smile that made her heart flutter. “I know I’ve said this before, but I really appreciate you being here.” He looked like he was about to say more, but they’d arrived at their destination. Releasing her hand, he put his truck in park.
A pang of disappointment rippled through her, but when she glanced up, her shock took over.
The palatial Georgian-style mansion seemed to stretch on forever, ending in a carriage house that had been modified into a massive garage that could easily fit a fleet of fancy cars.
