Page 69 of Playing for Keeps
Justin chanted the phrase in his head as he turned into the drive leading to Taylor Ranch. He’d passed this place a thousand times, fantasizing what it would be like to walk up to Caroline’s parents and confess his love. In all the daydreams her parents had shut the door. If today proved anything, it was that real life didn’t always follow the playbook.
His stomach flipped like a bad pitch. Caroline slipped her hand away from his with a quiet laugh. “Your hands are sweaty.”
He wiped his palm on his jeans. “Sorry. It’s one thing to meet your parents, another to be invited to the family Christmas.”
Her fingers found the nape of his neck, feather-light and steady. “You’re overthinking this. Pretendit’s just brunch. My brothers’ families live on the ranch—they have meals there all the time.”
“What about you?” he asked.
“I don’t get a lot of chances during the Christmas season. I spend too many hours at the bakery.”
Justin leaned into her touch, desperate for more of the steadiness she gave. “Have you considered hiring more help during the holidays?”
“I have, but I got so caught up in the problems that I didn’t feel like I had time to bring on someone new, much less train them.”
“You know I’ll help whenever I can.”
“I do,” she said, twisting her fingers into the short hair on the nape of his neck. “You’re the best unpaid employee I have.”
“I think that means I’m a volunteer.”
The Taylors’ house sat on a gentle rise, windows glowing like beacons. Caroline pointed. “Park beside Clint’s truck. Hey, look! Alicia made it back from her holiday show in time.”
The joy Caroline radiated at the mere thought of her family being together in one place was a sight to behold. It was a benchmark for the kind of life he wanted to give her—more family with more happiness. A life that had none of the scraping, hollowed-out corners Chuck had left in his.
As soon as Justin shifted into Park, Caroline dove over the console, sliding her hands behind his neckand pulling him in for a kiss that scorched his skin despite the cool morning.
This was what made her different from everyone else in the world. She saw his nervous insecurities and met them with unapologetic reassurances.
“I love you,” he murmured, before she could scramble out of the truck in that way she had when she was excited.
“I love you more,” she shot over her shoulder. Before he could clear the clouds from his head, she was bouncing on her toes, waiting for him to join her.
He reached for the brown paper bags of gifts behind his seat. The bags strained under the weight of the presents. He’d agreed with Caroline’s suggestion that they give each other smaller, meaningful gifts, but he’d made no promises to hold back on presents for her nephews.
As she tugged him by the hand across the porch, he focused on the steady thump of his boots on the wood, trying to breathe through the sudden scramble of nerves. He knew they’d love anyone Caroline loved. Was he even worthy of their acceptance? Still, invited or not, the first step across that threshold felt heavy.
Alicia was the first to notice him as they stepped into the room with the large Christmas tree and the garland on every surface. “You’re here!” Aliciarushed at him, wrapping him in a quick hug before moving on to Caroline.
Clint’s voice cut through the bustle. He crossed the room and held out his hand. “Hey, man. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Justin blinked. Nice? Not a clipped warning, not a closed fist.Nicerattled something hopeful in him. “Nice to meet you too.”
“Caroline speaks highly of you,” Clint said, glancing at his sister. “I’ve never seen her this happy.”
Hearing that from her brother was all it took to boost Justin’s mood. Caroline’s eyes glistened as if she might burst. He wasn’t the only one who’d been waiting for this moment.
Clint hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Want to ride to the woodshop before we eat? I want you to see the crib I just finished.”
A dark-haired woman entered the room, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Not everyone cares about our baby’s crib.”
Clint opened his arms to the woman. “Justin, this is my wife, Nora. Have you met each other?”
Nora tried to hide her smile by biting her lips. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
The muscles in his shoulders tensed just before he shook Nora’s hand. There were whole books of things these people could have heard about him, and the mix of topics wasn’t good.
“Caroline has been talking you up. Thanks for being so good to her,” Nora said.
