Page 398 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
She tucked herself against him, grateful for being stuck with a man like him. There was no one better in all the world. She was sure of it.
* * *
"Did you have fun with Mom today?" Jake glanced over at her as he helped get stuff out of the back of the car.
"Yeah. We went everywhere." Kari lifted her hand to her mouth as she yawned. "I'm tired."
"She was a trooper, son. I love her already." His mom walked past them and grabbed a handful of bags.
"Where all did you guys go?" He reached over and plucked the bags from his mom and picked up a few more.
"The mall, the grocery store and that little art store that I love so much." His mom beamed. Having Kari there gave her an outlet to do girly things and have different conversations than she was probably used to. Jake was grateful for Kari letting his mom into her heart. It was obvious his pretty girl had done just that.
"Did you like the art store?" Jake carried the bags as Kari walked languidly beside him.
"Yeah. It was dreamy."
He chuckled. "Dreamy?"
"Just little and quaint. Fun." She walked into the kitchen as Clint and Landon glanced up from the kitchen table. "Get up and help your brother get the stuff from your mom's car."
"Dayum." Landon stood up. "All right, sis. Jeez. Keep your panties on."
"Or don't?" Clint wagged his eyebrows and groaned loudly as Jake popped him in the back of the head.
"Don't egg them on. They're horrible." He set the stuff down and reached for Kari. "Go splash some water on your face, beautiful. We're headed to church in a few minutes. You guys were out all day."
"Good idea." She smiled and pulled him in for a soft kiss. "I was kidding with your brothers."
"Oh, I know. They do too. They love it." He nipped at her. "Hurry up so I can snuggle you in the backseat on the way into town."
"I might fall asleep." She pulled from him and walked down the hall as the heaviness of being busy all day weighed on her.
"That's all right too. I'll hold you while you rest."
Something told her that Jake would always hold her, no matter where they were headed or what was up against them.
Maybe she should propose to him? Did women do that?
She laughed loudly and walked into the bedroom. Most women might not, but she knew without a doubt that Lisa would.
She wasn’t Lisa though…
CHAPTER 13
JAKE
"I think you wore her out," Jake whispered against Kari's hair as they drove toward the church. His mom and dad were in the front seat, and his brothers in the truck behind them. With Kari tucked against him, everything seemed right.
"She's a great girl." Jake's mom glanced back toward the backseat and smiled. "I love her already."
Jake chuckled. "I knew you guys would."
"Where are her parents? She has to be missing them tonight." Jake's father reached up and adjusted the rearview mirror.
"I don't know about her father, but her mom is in New York. They were divorced when Kari was in high school or something. We haven't talked much about it, but her mom is a sweetheart. I met her earlier this week."
"New York, hm? A bunch of city girls this time?"
