Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“Yes! I wanna go down the pole!” Jordan takes off up the sidewalk, and my mom follows her inside, leaving us alone.
“I didn’t think I was going to see you today,” I say, tugging on a curl playfully.
“I didn’t plan on coming,” she admits honestly, averting her gaze to somewhere off in the distance.
Gently pinching her chin with my thumb and forefinger, I turn her face so she’ll look my way. “What made you change your mind?” I ask, our eyes locking.
“It just… It felt like…it wasn’t where we were supposed to be.”
Her admission has my heart sputtering in my chest at the possibility of what that means.
“And how does it feel now that you’re here?” I ask, needing her to say the words out loud.
“Like, maybe, this is where we should be.”
It’s not an actual confession of feelings, but fuck if it’s not a step in the right direction.
“I’m glad you guys are here,” I tell her, sliding my arm across the top of her shoulders. “Let’s go eat some turkey.”
“My goodness, I can’t remember the last time I ate that much.” Kelsie sits back on the couch, rubbing her fake food belly. “You’re going to have to roll me out of here.” She looks my way with a playful grin, and I smile back, happy that she and Jordan showed up.
While Jordan spent the afternoon playing with Tilly, Cinder, and the other kids, Kelsie bounced around, talking to the adults. It’s no secret that I have feelings for her, but because she’s new to town and keeps to herself—and because my ex was a selfish, stuck-up snob that nobody liked—my family, friends, and coworkers have been trying to get to know her. They want to make sure my taste in women this time around is better than the last time. Based on the looks they’ve given me, she’s more than passed the test.
“I’m a strong guy. It’d probably be easier to carry you out.” I smirk, and she chuckles, shaking her head.
“Ehh, after all the food I just ate, it’ll be good for me to walk home.”
“Or I can drive you.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking.” I lean in so our faces are close. “Any chance I can spend time with you, I’ll take.”
“Pierce…” She groans. “You agreed to just being friends.”
“And I told you I want more.”
She swallows thickly before she whispers, “I’m scared.”
Her confession has me wanting to wrap her up in my arms. Instead, I nod in understanding, refusing to ignore her feelings. “How about you keep an open mind? We can spend some time together and get to know one another. See where things go.”
“Okay,” she agrees after several seconds, shocking the hell out of me. “I’ll keep an open mind… See where things go. But no promises.”
“Mommy, can we go home and decorate the trees?” Jordan runs over and asks.
“We sure can,” Kelsie says.
After the girls thank everyone and say goodbye, and I insist on taking them home, we jump into my truck with Cinder sitting in the back with Jordan.
“Whoa! Look at those lights!” Jordan screeches as we drive down Main Street past the Rodgerses’ house. “They’re so pretty.”
I stop the truck in front of their house so Jordan can get a better look. “They’re participating in the Battle of the Christmas Decorations,” I explain, pointing to the sign on their lawn. Bill and Dawn Rodgers always put their lights up before Thanksgiving. “Soon, many houses will be decorated. It’s a Christmas Valley tradition.”
“What’s a battle?” Jordan asks.
“A competition,” I tell her. “They decorate their houses and lawns. Then everyone goes to all the houses so they can vote on whose lights are the best. Whoever gets the most votes, wins.”
I look back and see Jordan’s eyes widen.
“What do they win?” she asks.
“Twenty-five hundred dollars.”
“Wow!” she gasps. “Mommy, we should do the battle. Then we’ll have money to pay the lady that you need to give money to.”
Kelsie sighs and closes her eyes, obviously embarrassed by Jordan’s admission. When she opens them, I notice they’re watery, but she won’t look at me. “Not this year, Ladybug,” she chokes out.
“But, Mommy, if we win—”
“Lights cost money, and putting them up takes a lot of time. And with how many houses will participate, the chances of winning are slim. Maybe next year.”
Jordan’s face falls. “Maybe means no,” she grumbles, sitting back in her seat.
I take off again, but the mood is somber now. Both girls are quiet, and I want to ask Kelsie if she needs any help, but I don’t think she’d take kindly to that. From my minimal time with her, I can tell she’s prideful. The last thing I want is to make her feel like I view her as a charity case.
When I pull into their driveway, Jordan perks up again, remembering that she gets to decorate the trees.