Page 55 of Wishing for Christmas
“What? Have I never told you that?”
She didn’t say anything in return. She only smiled at him, her face warmed by the glow of the fireplace.
Brent began to wonder if hehadtold Clara enough about what she had meant to him over the past year. An unsettled feeling crept over him. He needed to work up the courage for the conversation, the one he knew they still needed to have. As much as she didn’t want to talk about these things, they would have to discuss the deployment at some point. He needed to explain to her how much that time had meant to him so she could understand its importance. No, that time they spent apart wasn’t just important, it waseverything. He needed her to understand that.
Even more, Brent needed to know what was in store for their future—if they even still had one. His military career wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. Unfortunately, neither were the hardships that came with it. There would be more deployments. There would be more last-minute missions, and canceled plans,and all kinds of challenges that would separate them from time to time. If she wasn’t willing to sign on to this lifestyle, it was better he knew the truth now before it was too late.
On the other hand, he didn’t want anything to interrupt the perfect day they were having. Brent let out his breath in a calm release. Ithadbeen a great day. He couldn’t deny it. He thought about what Dave had said about Christmas surprises. Maybe it was true. Maybe the best moments in life aren’t planned.
It was a nice thought, but certainly not one you could hang a future on.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CLARA
Clara sat close to Brent, cozy and warm by the fire. The day had been nothing short of amazing. Undoubtedly magical.
She’d had the best time sledding with him. She knew it was more than just fun that she was having with him, though. When Brent had carried her home, she felt taken care of in a way she never had before. It was different from the way she’d felt with Matthew. With him, it had been more about dependence, helplessness. With Brent, it felt as if she was cherished.
Sitting beside him in front of the fire, her heart glowed with pure happiness. Maybe this Christmas magic thingwashappening. Maybe she was truly beginning to fall for him. The relief she felt from this tiny admission gave her the reassurance that this whole situation would have a simple ending after all.
Brent got up and walked to the kitchen, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Clara bit down on her lower lip. Even with things working themselves out, as much as she tried to avoid the thought, she knew there was something she still needed to do. As difficult as it was going to be, she needed to be honest with him and explain what was going on.
The last thing on Earth she wanted to do was ruin this perfect day, but she knew it was finally time. She couldn’t put it off anylonger. She needed to tell him the truth if they were to enter into a lifetime commitment together. Clara thought about how she’d explain her wish in a way that would make any sense to him.
Brent returned to the living room carrying two steaming mugs with a thick layer of cream on the top. “Hot toddy?”
“Oh, those look wonderful,” she said, carefully taking one from him. “What are they?” She took a sip. The sweet warmth of the beverage filled her entire body.
“Hot buttered rum. The perfect après sled beverage.”
“Wow, you just whipped those up?”
He shrugged as if it was no big deal.
“Brent?” she said, carefully holding her drink with both hands. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Sure.” He smiled, setting down his drink. “What is it?”
She looked into his dreamy brown eyes. He seemed so happy, making her feel awful about what she was about to say. She cleared her throat. “Brent, last year, when we found out you were being deployed . . .”
He nodded, waiting for her to continue.
“Well, there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“Okay.”
“Something that would maybe explain some of my behavior lately.”
She noticed him stiffen. He sat on the chair across from her and placed his elbows on his knees. He leaned forward with his full attention.
“It’s time I finally told you the truth.”
Brent let out a puff of air. “I agree. It’s definitely time we had this conversation.”
She nodded.
“Look, Clara, I know you don’t like talking about this past year, but?—”
