Page 37 of Hensley Manor
“You’re kind of cute when you think.”
“Yeah?” His brow rose.
Violet and Glen approached before the parade started. She was bundled in a dark green coat and wore a lavender colored headband. Glen looked every bit of ex-military with his short hair and muscles, especially when paired with the hardness around his eyes—eyes that had probably seen more than any one person should. But the hardness faded when he looked at his wife, who held a tray and was handing out free hot chocolate to people she passed.
“Thought you could use something to warm you up,” Violet said, offering me one from the tray.
“Thank you.” I’d forgotten my gloves, so the hot drink helped warm my hands as I held it between them.
Ian put his arm behind me, resting his hand on my lower back, as he talked to Glen. I wasn’t sure he even realized he’d done it. It was like we were always reaching for each other, holding hands, standing shoulder to shoulder, and stealing a kiss whenever possible.
Violet smiled at me. “You’re good for him, you know. I’ve never seen Mr. Hensley look so happy.”
I wanted to ask about his ex-fiancé. Surely, Ian had been happy with him—given him all of his coveted laughs, touches, and passion. But I kept my mouth closed. When Ian wanted to tell me about the guy, he would.
“He’s good for me, too,” I admitted, feeling shy all of a sudden as Ian’s blue eyes flashed to mine.
Glen drew his attention again, but the instant our eyes had met, I’d felt it. Fate had brought us together. Not even a week ago, I had hated everything about Christmas. And not just Christmas, but everything that involved families getting together. Before coming to Evergreen Valley, I’d been lonely. Angry.
“It’s about to begin,” Ian said, moving closer to me. His warmth was welcoming, but so was everything else about him.
The parade was nothing special. It reminded me of the one my parents used to take me and my sister to; a long line of floats decked out in Christmas décor and advertising local businesses. A band marched at the front, performing a melody of carols. The same man I’d seen dressed as Santa the first time I had come to town walked behind the band and tossed out candy.
There was a float for the bakery, another for the coffee shop. I smiled when I saw one for Ian’s toy store. It was, by far, the grandest in the parade. A life-sized nutcracker stood in the middle of the float, surrounded by large red boxes with toys flowing out of them. A fully decorated tree stood to one side and a train circled it.
“Wow.”
Ian peered down at me. “You like it? It’s what I worked on yesterday.”
“You made that?”
“I helped.”
I had a feeling he was being modest, though.
“You’re kind of talented.”
He smirked. “You think so?”
“Yeah.” I leaned against his side. “Float building. Baking. And other more kinky things.”
Ian quietly coughed and looked ahead. His cheeks darkened with a blush, and I thought it was pretty damn adorable.
After the parade, Ian invited Violet and Glen to the manor for that afternoon’s activity of ornament making. They were excited to join us and said they would drive over in a little while. Ian held my hand as we walked to his car. The noise from the people talking on the street quieted.
“Can I ask you something?”
Ian stopped near a lamppost adorned with a big gold bow and turned to me. “Of course.”
“Well, Violet said something and it got me thinking.”
He waited patiently for me to continue. I was quickly losing confidence, though, as I stared at his chiseled features and perfectly pouted lips.
“She said she’s never seen you this happy.” My throat was suddenly dry and I swallowed to moisten it, but it only made it worse. Too bad I’d already downed the hot chocolate. “I guess it just made me wonder about…well, about your ex and what happened with him.”
I searched his face for any sign of me having upset him. He stared at me with the same tender expression, though it was a tad bit sad now.
“Michael and I were a good fit,” Ian said, squeezing my hand a little tighter. He looked upward as it started to snow again. The flakes gathered in his blond hair and landed on his coat before melting. “We worked well in theory, both of us hardworking and sharing similar goals. He owned his own company, like the one I would someday inherit, and he had just moved to Evergreen Valley to expand said company. Mother introduced us. She saw how our pieces might fit together, and it was always her dream to see me fall in love.”
