Page 111 of Holiday Hopefuls
“I’ll talk to them.”
“Connie, no.”
“Yes,” she insists. “They’ll want to discuss it, anyway. Let me make that conversation useful.”
Nodding, I look at my older sister.
“If it makes you feel any better, Imogene was already prepared to claw Prescott’s eyes out for helping Daddy,” she laughs.
I grin across the small space between us. “You know, it does.”
“Text me so I know you got home safe?”
“Yes, Mom,” I tease, rolling my eyes.
Connie runs back into the warmth for dear life as I climb into the car, all my bravado suddenly slipping.
Oliver reaches over, taking my hand. His thumb rubs circles on my skin, calming the nerves threatening to take over.
We drive in silence for nearly twenty minutes. Only the sound of the car’s heater keeps us company and the farther away we get from Aspen Point Lodge, the higher my anxiety creeps.
Oliver must sense the change as he peeks over at me from the driver’s seat. “Are you okay?” he whispers, squeezing my hand.
“Can I ask a favor?”
“Yeah baby?”
“I need you to pull over, or I might just throw up in your car.”
20
Oliver
After dropping Callie off at her apartment, I make it back to my own in record time. Callie had asked if I would want to stay at her place tonight and, while there’s no way I’m going to pass up an opportunity to be in her presence, I do need fresh clothes. Especially considering what’s left in my suitcase is a little fancier than is necessary to hang out at her place.
And I need to get Nacho.
I think Callie’s as excited to have Nacho there as she is to have me around, which is fine. It just further confirms she’s the right woman for me.
Callie said she’d be more than fine on her own for a bit. In all honesty, I think she needed a little time alone to start processing everything.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.
Unlocking and opening my front door, I’m greeted by the familiar bark of my favorite furry companion. “Hey girl.” I grin down at Nacho and her ever-wagging tail. I make a quick mentalnote to send Cory another thank you text for taking her out one more time just a bit ago before bringing her home.
Nacho barks once more, just in case I somehow missed the first one.
Dropping my bag on the kitchen table, I turn my full attention to the best girl. Kneeling to the floor, I receive plenty of welcome kisses while rubbing and scratching any part of her I can reach. “I missed you too, little one,” I coo.
Nacho’s enthusiastic tongue slaps at my face like a raw slice of bacon, her tail thumping the wall in a rhythmic pattern.
Looking into her joyous eyes, it’s almost impossible to believe that today really happened. But it did, and now there’s an incredible woman waiting for us to return to her. Standing, I ask, “Wanna go see Callie?”
The best girl jumps to stand on my shoulders with one more bark of confirmation.
Chuckling, I set Nacho back on all fours before preparing her supper and grabbing food for tomorrow at Callie’s. I use the time she’s eating to take a quick shower and pack a bag of fresh essentials.
By the time I zip up the overnight case and grab my bag for work tomorrow, Nacho is waiting impatiently on my bed. She lets out a sigh of great despair when I head back into the closet.
