Page 88 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
“Oops. Wrong song.” Laughing, Andrew started over with the correct Elvis number the Butterflies had requested. “Blue Christmas.” The Butterflies sang backup in unison, flipping their props to reveal large poster cutouts of Rosie’s face with her blue hair.
As Andrew sang, he couldn’t keep his gaze away from Morgan. He’d kissed her. It had been such a perfect kiss. Well, it would have been perfect had they not been surrounded by people.
But he supposed it was just as well that they had been, because he never should have kissed her. Now, that kiss was just one more thing to miss about her. As he sang the melancholy lyrics, he knew he told the truth. No matter where he was, no matter what he was doing, Morgan would be on his mind and his heart would be blue without her. That was a given.
The Butterflies swayed, getting into their backup singer roles as they danced the blue-haired Rosie faces back and forth. Grinning, Andrew tapped his guitar in rhythm as the Butterflies took over completely, singing the chorus with as much gusto as any dynamic women’s trio in history.
Looking as if she was having the time of her life, his grandma bopped back and forth with her friends as they danced in their ugly Christmas sweater dresses. Then they flung their arms out, laughing, and took a bow.
Yeah, Andrew was going to miss this, but how could he ignore the incessant call of his dreams when it was finally within his grasp?
Chapter Sixteen
Although she wasn’t that cold, Morgan wrapped her arms around herself as she watched her son play in the snow with Brynne. The little girl’s mother had asked if Greyson could build a snowman with them. He’d been looking at her with those big pleading eyes, so Morgan had quickly agreed and followed them outdoors.
Seeing him laughing as he and Brynne rolled up snow, Morgan couldn’t help but smile. No matter what, she would cling to her happiness and remain positive. No matter what, she was back on her feet and could withstand whatever life threw at her. No matter what, she’d do what was right for her son. No matter if her heart broke because of Andrew, she’d keep a smile on her face and focus on all of life’s blessings.
“He looks happy.”
Wondering if fate was immediately testing her resolution, Morgan turned toward Andrew. “He is happy. I loved your song with the Butterflies. That was so great. I thought Rosie was going to die laughing at their antics.”
“They do think they’re pretty funny, pulling one over on Rosie. And when they asked me about doing the song, I couldn’t resist singing Elvis with my grandma.” Smiling, he gave Morgan a look that let her know that he’d not sought her out to talk about the Butterflies. “Walk with me? We won’t go far—I know you don’t want to be away from Greyson.”
“I’d like that,” she said. “As for Greyson, I doubt he’ll notice I’m gone. Brynne’s mother is planning to take them for hot cocoa when they’re finished with their snowman. He’s quite in heaven getting to see and spend time with Brynne today. I think he’s missed her since school let out for Christmas break.”
“She was happy to see him when I brought him to the reindeer games, too.”
“He’s started talking about marrying her and having a Christmas wedding. Five years old, and he already has his whole life mapped out,” she mused, but with a smile. “Moving here is the best thing I ever did. Pine Hill has been a place of healing for both of us.” She glanced Andrew’s way. “Meeting you and getting to know you helped us, too, Andrew.”
Without looking at her, he kept walking, then finally said, “If I’ve played any role in giving you and Greyson happiness, then I’ll count that as a blessing.”
He sounded so sincere, so overflowing with emotions, that she stopped walking and turned to him, letting her own emotions take over. “I can’t believe you’re really leaving.”
“There’s part of me that wants to stay, Morgan, but I can’t.”
She bit into her lower lip. “Can’t or won’t?”
“I know you don’t understand, but this is something I have to do.”
She took a deep breath. “For how long?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe just a few years. Maybe longer. I just know it’s what I’m meant to do.”
She nodded as if she understood, but she didn’t.
“For what it’s worth, you and Greyson make me wish things were different, that I was different and didn’t feel this drive...” His voice trailed off and he sighed. “You make me wish I could be everything you ever wanted in a man and in a father for Greyson. That I could somehow have it all—you and being a smokejumper.”
There was such anguish in his words that Morgan’s breath caught.
“But you need someone who will be there for you. Someone who will come home every night and help Greyson with his homework and cook dinner when you’re too tired to. That’s not me. There will be weeks, sometimes months, when I’ll be out in the wilderness fighting fires and even phone calls will be impossible.”
Morgan swallowed at the grim picture he was painting.
“When you’re out there, fighting those fires, know that you’ll be in my prayers and in my heart,” she told him, staring up at him with so much emotion bubbling inside her she thought she might burst. “And that I’ll be so proud of the man you are, that you’re willing to give so much of yourself to help others.”
“Morgan, I,” he began, then paused before he took her gloved hand into his and lifted it to his lips. “Thank you for everything.”
Knowing he was telling her goodbye, she fought tears and nodded. “You’re welcome, Andrew. Take care of yourself, and if you do make it back to Pine Hill, please let Greyson and me know.” Then she remembered something. “Greyson wanted to get you a gift. Is it okay if we drop it off tomorrow?”
