Page 98 of Christmas at Valentine Inn

Bridgette grinned. “I’m glad.” She popped up. “Good night, Dad. Love you.”

“Love you, sweetie.” He watched her head down the hall.

She was gliding like she was still on the dance floor. Young love is so innocent and pure.

As soon as she was out of sight, Patrick took me in his arms and kissed my head. “Thank you for loving my children.”

“They make it easy.”

“Even Rory?” He chuckled.

Rory had come home earlier and was playing games with friends online in his room.

“Especially Rory. I feel like we’re kindred spirits.”

“I can’t believe he told Jameson to say that to Cruz.”

I had to hold in my laugh.

“Although, I kind of appreciated it. I wanted to say the same thing myself.”

My laugh escaped. “So, he did the dirty work for you.”

“Something like that.”

I rested my head on his chest, listening to the sound of his strong heart. “I had an interesting night.”

“Me too.” He sounded a bit shaken.

I sat up. “What happened?”

“Tell me about your night first.” He was always so considerate.

“Well ... I tried my mom’s wedding dress on,” I responded, though I was anxious to hear about his night with Drake. Had their lead panned out?

“And?” he sounded excited.

“I said yes to the dress.” I smiled.

“Excellent news.” He pressed a kiss to my lips.

“And I found something.” I reached into my plaid pajama pants pocket and pulled out the ornament.

“Where did you find it?”

“Funny story.” I told him how it came about, still in awe over the bizarre occurrence. I’d been trying hard to think of a rational explanation. Even wondering if George had somehow rigged it all. But I couldn’t see anything on the music box that would lend to my theory. And George wasn’t a liar. I don’t think he would say the ornament was missing if it wasn’t.

Patrick’s eyes widened with every freakish detail.

“By the way, your mom probably thinks we all need an exorcism.”

Patrick laughed.

“I’m serious. And just as she was starting to like me.”

“Don’t worry. She’s going to fall madly in love with you just like the rest of us.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure.” I stared at the heart ornament, reading the phrase over and over again. “Patrick, do you really believe in soul mates?”

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