Page 54 of Unexpectedly Falling
She clears her throat. “Then I guess we’re gonna have to get a tree. And decorations.”
“Luckily, I already have both.”
26
NESSA
Deck the Orchard with Lights and Holly
By Arden James
Darling Farms, located in the heart of Clementine Creek, has continued their newfound tradition of creating a “lights in the park” feel on the orchard grounds. Current owners Cullen and Gwen Andrews started the tradition after tying the knot, saying they wanted to bring as much joy to the town as the holiday has brought them in recent years.
Elaborate holiday scenes and character favorites have been erected in a winter wonderland of lights throughout the orchard. Vendors will be set up in the main building for all your last-minute holiday shopping! This event is free, and complimentary hot chocolate will be provided.
Donations made will benefit the Deke Mannings Scholarship Fund.
Putting the paper down on the counter, I take a sip of my coffee and smile as Remi stares at the Christmas tree from her swing. She’s already so curious, taking in her surroundings and shoving everything within reach into her mouth.
Luckily the tree is a safe distance away, but the thought still has my heart aching a little.How many milestones will I get to witness? Will they always be just a picture in a text? A video? Will I even know?
Clearing my throat to stave off the unwanted emotion, I straighten the garland strung across the mantle and rearrange the white pillar candles and fake branches of holly. Again. Jensen and I had pulled the limited boxes from the garage and he’d put up the fake, pre-lit tree while I tackled the rest of the living room.
Between decorating, dinner, and getting Remi settled for bed, we’d lost track of time and had missed the opening night at the orchard. With Jensen working today, he’d asked me to meet him over there later tonight.
The whole thing felt verydomesticand the scarier part was that I didn’t hate it. So much of my life had been focused on soccer and being the best of the best both on and off the field, and until I landed in Blackstone Falls, that hadn’t bothered me.
I loved my life in Nashville, living and playing with my best friend, being on the road—anticipating the pulsing stadium energy at every game. But the media side of it had gotten exhausting and not just from soccer—but my whole life. My father had garnered decent success, and as always, fans wanted a piece of that. They’d watched my sister and me grow up, and while my parents did their best to shield us, it was impossible to be completely out of the spotlight.
And the attention only intensified after the accident.
My fingers trace the faded scar on my abdomen, that night more than ten years in the rearview mirror but still so freshin my mind. The recovery had been so much more than just physical, and even now, my relationship with my sister remained strained.
We’d beaten the odds, both of us working day and night to come back faster—stronger—to dominate our respective sports.
And we had.
But we’d also lost ourselves along the way.
She still blamed herself for the accident and there was nothing I could do to convince her otherwise. We’d been in the right place at the wrong time, but the guilt she harbored had caused a chasm between us.
It wasn’t fair to either of us but until she forgave herself, she’d never believe that I already had.
Debating only a moment, I tap out a text and hit send.
NESSA: I miss you.
Three little dotsappear and then disappear, and I hold my breath as I wait.
SISTER: I miss you too.
It’s nota lot but it’s enough for now.
Remi coos in her swing as I glance around the room and smile at the sparse decorations. I’d look for stockings tonight since I’d already ordered an ornament for Remi.
Baby’s first Christmasseemed cliché, but she deserved all the best and brightest parts of life—to know she was celebrated before her very first breath and every day after.
Turning on a holiday playlist, I unbuckle Remi from the swing and dance us around the room, spinning and dipping her and soaking up every gummy smile.
