Page 28 of The Christmas Keepsake
Eleanor beamed brightly. “Ah. Love does take quite a lot of time.” She glanced over at Mallory. “A woman is like a book that you never stop reading.”
Hollis took a moment to process that thought. Eleanor was always talking in book quotes. “Which book is that from?”
Eleanor patted a hand on his chest. “Those are my words, and it’s the truth. When you find the right woman, think of her as a book that doesn’t end. You always have to keep turning the pages and discovering her.”
“Why are you giving me love advice, Eleanor?”
Eleanor laughed. “Love is contagious, I suppose. Once you’re in it, you want everyone else to be in it too.”
Hollis loved that Eleanor and Charlie had found love late in life. It was inspiring to watch the two of them together.
Charlie returned and interrupted their dance. “Don’t even think about stealing my lovely bride.”
Hollis lifted his hands, palms out. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Eleanor visibly blushed as Charlie pulled her back in. Then Hollis looked around for Mallory, spotting her on the other side of the dance floor.
He watched her twirl an elderly gentleman around the floor, her face beaming. Mission achieved. That’s all he’d wanted for tonight. To see everyone here have fun, but especially Mallory.
As the night wound down and residents slowly began to return to their rooms, Hollis walked over to the punch bowl. Pop sidled up next to him, a knowing glint in his eye.
“That Mallory,” Pop said, nodding toward where she was chatting animatedly with a group of residents, “she’s something special.”
Hollis nodded, unable to take his eyes off her. He’d had a hard time taking his eyes off her all night. “She really is.”
Pop clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You know, son, sometimes the best things in life are worth taking a risk for.”
Before Hollis could respond, Mallory was making her way over to them, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright with excitement.
“Hollis, I’m so glad you made me come.” Impulsively, she threw her arms around him in a quick hug.
Hollis savored the brief contact, wishing he could hold on longer. “Practically kicking and screaming,” he teased as she pulled away. “You seemed like you needed a little Christmas cheer. And I guess I did too.”
“You?” She lifted a brow. “You’re Santa Claus in the flesh.”
Pop chuckled. “Don’t let this big lug fool you. It’s all show. Sometimes the biggest smiles hide the loneliest hearts. I knew that the first time I caught him trespassing on my farm.”
Hollis was amazed by how many memories Pop still had, even though so many had vanished to wherever memories go when they were lost.
“I’ll remember that.” She nudged him slightly. “Word in the room is that they’re kicking us out in five minutes. Dance is over at eight.”
“Oh, man.” Pop swung his arm with exaggerated disappointment. “I was just working up my nerve to ask Nancy to dance with me.”
“The recreational therapist?” Mallory glanced around the room. “Don’t worry, Pop. I’ll find her and ask her for you. I think there’s still time for one more dance.”
Pop gave her a wink. “Then you and Hollis here can have one last dance too.”
As they said their goodbyes and headed out to Hollis’s truck, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He’d seen a glimpse of the carefree, joyful Mallory she could be when she wasn’t lugging around the worries and responsibilities that weren’t solely hers.
Driving home, with Mallory humming softly to the Christmas carols on the radio, Hollis wished the night didn’t have to end. As he pulled up in front of her house, he turned to her. “I won’t try to walk you to your door. I got the memo loud and clear that tonight was not a date.”
Mallory’s soft brown eyes were warm. “Wow, all that dancing really wore me out and I, um, have an early shift at the hospital.”
“Really? Haven’t you worked three twelve-hour shifts already this week?”
She glanced up. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”
He shook his head, even though, yeah, he kind of was.
