Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“You’ll pay me nothing,” Bob calls after me.
As I move back toward the truck, Tom’s gaze locks on mine, and despite the wide smile on his face for his family, his eyes seem as conflicted as I feel that we’ve really, truly reached the end of this journey.
Our journey.
And then, behind me, I hear her. An unfamiliar female voice that doesn’t belong to Tom’s mom or sisters. “Tom!”
His gaze seems to drag away from me. Toward Lolo.
“Sorry I wasn’t out here to greet you,” I hear her say. “ I was just FaceTiming with my brother so I could see my niece’s Christmas pageant, and oh my gosh. I’m so glad you’re here . . .”
I continue toward the truck before I can hear the rest.
Gingerly, so as not to ruin the festive mood by tearing my stitches, I hoist myself back into the cab where Gorby sits with a happy grin, watching the Walsh reunion.
“Gorby,” I say, exasperated. “Are you crying?”
“Can’t help it.” He wipes his eyes. “Becky and I are a sucker for family at Christmas.”
I look over my shoulder, waving happily at Tom’s sisters and brother, who I have yet to properly hug, and then, because I force myself, I look at her.
Lolo is . . .
Well, not exactly what I expected. She’s blond, but instead of being tiny and petite and fashionable, she seems . . . very real. Very nice, actually. And there’s no denying that her smile as she talks excitedly with Tom is very, very real.
She loves him. He loves her. And I surprise myself by realizing . . .
I’m happy for him.
And yet . . .
“You gonna tell him?” Gorby asks.
I look over, surprised to find the truck driver studying me. Still smiling, but a little less jovial.
“What? Tell who what . . .” I sigh when he simply gives me a look that says I’m better than cheap denials. “No, Gorby. I’m not going to tell him.”
Gorby gives a sad shake of his head. “Tom deserves to know, darling.”
“He deserves a lot of things,” I say. Better things than I can give him.
I try to hand Gorby the cash, but he looks affronted and shoves my hand away. “It wasn’t no big thing spending a few hours with you kids. Nice to have the company, actually.”
Belatedly, I realize that it’s Christmas Eve and that Gorby will be spending it in a truck, alone. Close as he and Rebecca are, Rebecca can’t sing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with him like I can.
“Gorby, I don’t suppose . . .” I jerk my thumb toward the Walsh home. “They’d love to have you. There’s always room for one more here.”
I should know.
“Oh gosh. I appreciate that,” Gorby says as he turns on the engine. “But I’ve gotta hightail it. Em will kill me if I’m not home by the time the kids wake up to Santa.”
I blink. “Em?” Kids.
“Sure. My wife. We’ve got three boys, and a little girl on the way.”
“I— You didn’t mention them.”
“Course not, darlin’. Rebecca gets jealous.” He winks.
I shake my head with a smile, and then acting on impulse, I lean over to kiss his cheek. “You’re a treasure, Gorby. I’m not entirely sure you don’t have a pair of wings under your dry-cleaned flannel.”
“I’ll never tell,” he says, giving me a friendly squeeze, then waves me back with his hand. “Now, go on. Go be with your family.”
“Oh. Not my family,” I say as I scoot toward the door.
Gorby tsks. “And here I thought you were a smart girl. Merry Christmas, Katherine.”
I hop down and smile up at him. “Merry Christmas, Gorby.”
I slam the door shut and step back from the curb as I and the entire Walsh family wave goodbye to the jolly, big-hearted truck driver.
“Are we sure he isn’t Santa?” Tom’s sister Meredith says, coming to link arms with me. Then she glances over. “Damn, it’s good to see you. And may I just say. You look terrible.”
I laugh and hug her. “I’ve missed you.”
“Back at you. But can I please find you a change of clothes? You’re covered in blood.”
I glance down at the white blouse I put on at the crack of dawn this morning. “Ketchup, actually. Hazards of truck travel.”
“Still. I’m getting you clothes. Also, people!” She turns and calls to her family. “Can we please move this party inside and out of the snow.”
“Yes, let’s,” Nancy says. “You too, Katherine.”
“Okay, but I can’t stay. I have to—”
Tom’s mom pretends she doesn’t hear this, and I heave out a sigh. Extracting myself from the Walshes’ loving grip might be trickier than I imagine.
“Katherine.” Tom’s voice comes from behind me.
I suck in a breath and turn to face the inevitable, though I purposely focus my attention on Lolo instead of my ex.
“Hi. You’re Lolo.”
“I am.” Lolo smiles and extends a hand, which I shake. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”