Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
I was touched by her thoughtful gift, and I wrapped my hand around her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. “Thank you, love. It’s perfect.”
“You can use it and think of me at times,” she whispered.
I wasn’t sure how to tell her I would think of her more than only the times I couldn’t sleep. I had a feeling she would be on my mind a lot. Rather than make both of us sad, I kissed her again.
“Your turn.”
She frowned as I slipped a familiar box into her hands. Before she could protest, I opened the lid and took out the bracelet I had bought from her shop.
“You said it was your favorite piece,” I said as I clasped it around her wrist. “I want you to wear it and think of me.”
“But your mom…”
I shook my head. “It was never for my mom. I only bought it because you looked sad when you said it was your favorite, and I just didn’t want someone buying it and taking it away.” I kissed her wrist. “It was meant for you.”
We locked eyes, and the words were out before I could stop them.
“Just like I was meant for you, Callie.”
And my mouth was on hers again, not letting her speak.
I couldn’t bear it if she said no.
The days passed too quickly. For the first time in years, I wasn’t ready to leave. Somehow, with Callie there, everything had more meaning. Laughing and playing with the kids. Late-night conversations with my father. Spending time with my mom in the kitchen. The silly card and board games we all played once the kids went to bed. Making love to Callie every chance I got. Food tasted better. Wine sweeter. Laughter came easier.
And hours flew by.
My time was over, and I had to return to Calgary. Luckily, the weather cooperated so I could fly back from Toronto where I should have landed originally.
My family hugged us both, Elly promising to stay in touch with Callie.
“We’re only a few hours away,” she insisted, her eyes bright with tears. “I can come visit, and you’re welcome here anytime!”
Callie smiled and nodded. Her eyes welled up as my mom hugged her, adding to Elly’s statement. “We’ll see you soon, dear. I promise.”
We were quiet on the drive back to Callie’s. There was so much to be said, yet I couldn’t find the words. I held her hand, running my thumb in restless circles over the skin. When we pulled up to her shop, I put the SUV in park and shut off the engine. Callie smiled at me as she unclipped her seat belt and opened the door. I grabbed her bags from the back and followed her up the steps, waiting as she unlocked the door and disarmed the security system. Silently, I carried her bags to her apartment, watching her pat Jake’s head as he looked up with a yawn, another one of his horrific farts, and then curled back up to sleep.
“Hard life,” I said with a smile.
She shook her head. “He was my dad’s cat. He’s old and grumpy, but still a little company at times.” She chucked him under the chin. “I hope you didn’t give Mrs. Cooper a hard time.”
I laughed dryly. “Other than farting on her and sleeping, I doubt it.”
We both chuckled, then silence descended.
“Callie,” I began.
She held up her hand. “I know, Shane. It’s been wonderful. The whole week. Meeting you and your family. Spending the holidays with them. With you. I loved every moment of it. But it’s time to head back to reality. I understand.”
I gaped at her. Her voice was quiet but certain. She was putting up a brave front, but I had gotten to know Callie well the past week. I knew her tells. The slight twitch to her eye. The tremor in her shoulders. The way her hands clenched in tight fists. How she blinked rapidly to hold back the tears. She was trying to let me go—thinking that what we had was a pleasant interlude and nothing more. That I would return to my life in Calgary and recall our time together as a nice memory. She felt that was all she was worth—the sum total of her value.
She was so wrong.
“You understand nothing, then, Callie.”
“I’m sorry?”
I stepped forward, wrapping my hands around her biceps, feeling the tremble of her body under my touch. “You should be. Don’t ever discount yourself like that again. This past week is the beginning. Today is not the end. Not by a long shot.”
She shook her head. “How? How do you think this is going to work? You live hundreds of miles away.”
I pulled her close, wrapping her in my embrace. “I have no idea, but the thought of walking away from you is killing me. Simply the idea of never seeing you again is tormenting me. We can figure this out, Callie. I can come visit. You can come to Calgary. We’ll work at it—together. But don’t put an end to something so special.”