Page 383 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"Yes, she does." Kari lifted to her toes and kissed him. "Mom wants to go down to Fifth Avenue and look around. We can visit the tree too if you're up for it."
"I would love that. I've only been to New York a few times, and never during the holidays." He slid his hands down her sides to rest on her hips. Hopefully the night would end with them wrapped around each other and him whispering in her ear not to moan too loudly. He would hate to be embarrassed the next morning at breakfast.
"Then you're going to enjoy this." She kissed him once more before moving back and turning to walk down the hall.
"Marc and Lisa are supposed to be coming in for Christmas." Her mother grabbed her coat as Jake walked down the hall, breathing in the subtle hint of Kari's shampoo. They'd been together since the spring and he still couldn't come close to getting enough of her.
"Marc's in rare form. I'm going to warn you now." Kari opened the door and moved back as her mom walked through it. "He's probably going to rush through school to move out to Maine. You need to think about coming out that way too, Mom. We want you near us, and the city isn't a good place for a single woman."
"What if I'm not single when he graduates?" She glanced back and gave Kari a cheeky grin as they walked down the stairs behind her.
Jake reached out as Kari stopped at the bottom of the stairs, grabbing her shoulders to keep from running into her.
"Wait. What? Are you seeing someone?" She jogged away from him toward her mom.
Jake turned and locked the door from the inside before catching up to the girls. It would be nice to have Kari's mom out in Maine where they could all be down the road from each other. That way if she needed something, Jake could be there to help her out.
What about Texas?
Some part of him wanted to move back home so bad it hurt. He would always belong in Texas, but the decision he made years ago to move up to the Northeast was one that changed everything. He was a part of Bar Harbor, and as much as the people loved him, he loved most of them more. The pipe dream of going back home was growing more and more dim. He wasn't too sure how he felt about it just yet.
They got in the car, and the women talked all the way downtown. He kept his eyes on the road and tried not to worry about driving in some of the more dangerous parts of the city. Not due to the depravity of the inhabitants, but thanks to the road crews not clearing the snow as well as they should have.
"Wow. It's insane down here." Jake pulled to a stoplight and looked around for a parking garage.
"Always is this time of year." Kari's mom leaned up from the backseat and squeezed his shoulder. "There is a parking lot two blocks to your right up here on the next street."
"Great. Thank you." He smiled over at Kari, who seemed to be right at home in the middle of the madness.
"I know I mentioned it earlier, but do you really think Marc is really going to finish up his Bio degree a semester early? I’m having my doubts." Kari turned around in her seat and asked her mother.
"Yeah, I do. Your brother is turning into a different man because of Lisa. I'm sure he's always going to be loud and rowdy, but here's for hoping."
They laughed, and Jake turned the corner, slamming on the brakes as a teenager raced out in front of the car. He held his tongue as Kari ranted and raved at the kid.
Her mom gave her a little bit of grief over it, and he was glad he'd kept his mouth shut. Upsetting or offending his future mother-in-law was off the table.
Best behavior for sure.
"Where to first?" He pulled into the parking lot and turned to face Kari and then her mother. They were both beautiful, and from the conversation and laughter they shared all the way up there, he knew he was in for a treat. He'd chosen the right woman to spend his life with.
Now he just needed to seal the deal and make her his.
Soon. Very soon.
CHAPTER 6
KARI
"I really like that ornament up there. At the top of the tree." Kari's mother glanced over at her as her eyes grew wide. She was seeing someone. She had to be. Kari hadn't seen her so alive, so full of joy... ever.
"Okay. Let me get someone." Kari glanced around as Jake walked back toward them.
"What's up? You need something?" Jake's eyes moved across her face, and her heart swelled in her chest. If only her mom could find someone like Jake. Life would be complete. The fact that her man wanted to help her mom with the house meant the world to her. She hadn't mentioned it or asked him for help. He'd offered it, and by the determination on his face, he was serious about seeing it through.
"Yeah. Mom wants that little Christmas tree ornament on the top of the tree." Kari turned and pointed to it.
"I can get it for you." Jake moved and reached up to pluck it off the top of the tree. The movement caused his shirt and jacket to lift. A thin strip of his back was on display at the bottom of the jacket, and Kari reached out, wanting to touch his skin.
