Page 39 of A DIY Christmas Miracle
“I… ah… I thought it’d be a good compromise,” I finally managed. “I wanted to go for a walk in the snow, and you…”
“And I’m a little wimp who doesn’t like being cold. Got it.” His laughter was music to my ears, enveloping me in warmth and contentment. Eli was still so close to me. So incredibly close. “This is an amazing idea. Incredibly thoughtful.”
His lips brushed my cheek again, and then Eli broke away from me and looked right at the big, black Shire horses that’d been harnessed to a sleigh.
I already missed his warmth, but I was comforted by the knowledge that I’d feel it again soon. During our sleigh ride, we’d snuggle up under the blanket, enjoying the ride and our surroundings.
“When does the ride start?” Eli jumped up and down next to me like a child. Was it the anticipation or was he just freezing?
“Ten minutes.”
“And how long does it take?”
“About an hour and a half.” I smiled at Eli. He looked so happy and eager, almost as radiant as he’d looked when he’d unwrapped my gift.
It seemed like I’d done everything right. I’d put the sparkle back in his eyes, rekindled the fire in him that had gone out over the last few days.
It felt good that I’d been able to do so. That I’d made him smile. Even Cassy hadn’t accomplished that — and she was his best friend, his family. I was just this guy, a friend, but I’d achieved what no one else had managed.
“A sleigh ride is so romantic.” Eli sighed. “Just like in one of my books.”
“One of your books?”
Eli’s entire face flushed a bright red.
“I, uhm… sometimes I like reading books.”
“I like reading books, too,” I said, laughing softly at the look on Eli’s face.
“You’ll laugh at me,” he muttered.
“I won’t.”
“But you will.”
“No. I promise I won’t,” I said with all the seriousness I could muster. I wanted to know what kind of books my Eli was so embarrassed about.
“All right. Don’t youdarelaugh at me or you can go on the sleigh ride alone.”
I didn’t call him out, but I was pretty sure he wouldn’t let me go on the ride alone. However, I just nodded in agreement. I’d never laugh at him. Period. I couldn’t do that to him.
“I sometimes like to read romance,” Eli admitted, whispering as if he were confessing to murder. “It’s just so… nice. When I’m stressed, it’s just relaxing to come home and read something that’s wholesome.”
His eyes were pleading with me to understand.
I nodded.
“Literature’s purpose is to entertain,” I said. “At least that’s the definition given in the Literature 101 classes. So, if you’re entertained by romance novels, the books serve their purpose.”
The worry lines on Eli’s face slowly smoothed.
“So you don’t think I like reading kitsch while you’re reading classics?”
I shrugged, then shook my head. I wasn’t my father who liked to dismiss all modern literature as garbage. “Just read what makes you happy. I know I do.”
Chapter 14
Will
