Page 56 of Playing for Keeps
“It’s only been thirteen years,” he pointed out.
“I’d like for you to meet them before Christmas. We spend Christmas morning as a family. We have brunch, and my nieces and nephews get to play together with their toys. It’s a lot of fun.”
Justin’s jaw tightened, and she braced for his response. Christmas had never been a happy timefor him. Even all these years later, her heart still clenched at the idea of Justin growing up without any celebration on Christmas.
“I’d love that.” His arms tightened around her. “You know, I’ve thought about you every Christmas since we were together.”
“Really?”
“Christmas has a different meaning for me now. I used to think it was about the presents, and when I didn’t get them, it felt like Christmas came for everyone except me.”
She’d never wanted to physically harm someone before—except Chuck Mckinnon. The man had killed Justin’s childhood, stole from her family, and beat her dad until he was near death only a few years ago.
Justin lifted her chin with his finger, leveling his gaze with hers. His dark eyes were endless depths she wanted to rush into. “But you changed that. Now I know what Christmas is about. It’s not about me. It’s about Him. You saved my life, and Christmas reminds me of that gift you helped me open—eternity.”
Oh, peaches and cream. She was going to cry. Whether because of her exhaustion or Justin’s sweet words, the moisture welled up in her eyes. “That’s so sweet,” she choked out.
“No, you’re sweet. You’re the best person I’ve ever met, and I don’t care if we’d been apart for twentyyears, I could never forget you. What you showed me is life-changing, Caroline. ”
This. This was why she couldn’t imagine marrying any of the other men who’d proposed. Justin was the one for her, and she couldn’t keep him away anymore.
She buried her face against his chest and let him hold her as silent tears streaked down her cheeks. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you too.”
Twelve years apart was a long time, but the future they’d once imagined was beginning to take form again. It wasn’t the same as they’d once imagined. It had grown and changed with them until they could pursue it again.
Their family’s feud, the bad reviews, the long hours—they could overcome all of it now if they were ready to fight for it.
22
JUSTIN
The Redemption Ridge Police Department was quiet for a Monday morning. Calls had amped up with the influx of tourists, and Justin was used to the constant chatter and buzzing in the offices.
Cody sat in the main office with his elbows propped on the desktop and head in his hands. Justin detoured from his path to the break room and slapped a hand on Cody’s back.
“You okay, man?”
Cody lifted his head, dragging his hands down his face. “Yeah. Breaking my brain trying to figure out what to get Neenah for Christmas.”
Garrett appeared on Cody’s other side, propping his hip against the flimsy partition separating the desks. “Is this aspecialgift?”
“It’s Christmas. That’s how special it is,” Cody said. “We’re just friends.”
Just friends, but not because Cody wanted it that way. She’d friend-zoned him a long time ago, and he still did everything in his power to respect her wishes despite his more-than-friendly feelings.
Garrett rolled his eyes. “Yeah, and I’m the weather man. Get her a book, and she’ll be happy. Oh, but not a self-help book. That would hurt her feelings. Ask me how I know.”
“You gave Cindy a self-help book for Christmas?” Justin asked.
Garrett threw his arms out to his sides. “It was a good book!How to Win Friends and Influence Peopleis a classic.”
“And you thought it was a good gift for your wife?” Cody scoffed. “You don’t get to give me advice.”
“Whatever. She loved the vacuum I got her last year.”
Cody turned his chair to face Justin. “What are you getting Caroline?”
