Page 407 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"Good to see you, Bethany. Your dad doing all right? I've been praying for you guys." He shook her hand and ignored the awkwardness between them over him denying her a hug.
"He's hanging in there." She shook his hand and shrugged. "Is that Tyler?"
"Sure is." Tyler got up and moved around Jake, pulling Bethany into a hug. "How are you? Sorry about your momma."
"I'm okay. It's been a rough Christmas, but we're making our way through it." Bethany's big blue eyes moved back over to Jake. "I wish you would have told me you were here. My family would have loved to see you. How much longer are you staying?"
"I'm leaving this afternoon. Flight is at five. Kari wanted to be back in time to enjoy New Year’s with our friends in Maine." He slipped his hands into his jeans pockets.
Bethany flinched. "Oh. Wow. I didn't realize you brought her with you."
"Yep. She's with Mom and some of my aunts shopping today." He glanced over at Tyler. "You ready to hit the road?"
"Yeah. You go ahead. I'll pick up the tab and call you later." Tyler turned and reached for him, pulling Jake into a warm hug. "Don't be a stranger, man. I miss you."
"Me too." Jake patted his back, nodded at Bethany and walked toward the door. It was a good damn thing Kari hadn't been with him. She would have been ill running into his first love. His only love before Kari. Funny how different his relationship with Kari felt though. It was fulfilling, leaving him complete and excited about the future. His dad was right. The relationship with Bethany had been more about convenience.
What a shitty reason to fall in love.
The idea of Kade stepping into that same type of relationship next scared Jake enough that he decided to have a conversation with his staunch older brother. Soon.
* * *
"I hate that you guys are leaving." Jake's mother’s eyes filled with tears as they stood outside of the airport. She reached out and brushed her hands down Jake's chest. "Promise me that you'll call me when you get home and are safe."
"We will." Jake glanced over at Kari as the pretty girl moved into his father's arms.
"Thank you for the best Christmas ever." Kari smiled up at his dad.
"Same here, kiddo. Ask that boy where your damn ring is." His father glanced over at him. "Make sure you put a ring on this one fast. She's the full package deal. You're a lucky man. Don't mess it up."
Jake chuckled as his mom moved over to hug Kari. "We're all lucky. I had such a good time with you. Give your mother a hug for me and tell her that she has to come with you guys next time you come down, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am." Kari nodded and hugged Jake's mother before moving back and taking the hand he extended toward her.
"All right, guys. Love you with all my heart. We'll see you in the spring unless you get a wild hair and want to come up to Maine. It's snowing big time. You might like it."
"Nope. I'm too old for that kinda cold." Jake's dad moved over and pulled his mom into a side hug. "We love being right here. You kids come back soon though, okay?"
"Yes, sir." Jake turned and pulled Kari closer to him so he could wrap an arm around her. He dragged their luggage behind him with his free hand and tried not to let the sadness of leaving his folks sit too heavily on him.
"Thank you for this. It was a great Christmas. I love your family so much. I'm going to fit in perfectly."
He chuckled. "You already do, sweetheart."
"Your father is right, you know." She pulled away from him, walking toward the women's restroom.
"How so?" He stopped as his heart thundered in his chest. The beautiful creature in front of him was his. Forever if he wanted it, and he so did.
She paused and glanced back. "You need to give me my damn ring."
He laughed and she did too before disappearing around the corner.
She'd get her ring in a few days. Excitement bubbled inside of him at the thought of making the moment perfect. For that... he would need help.
Luckily enough, he knew the perfect crowd for the job.
CHAPTER 18
