“Thank you for welcoming us the way you do,” Church replied.
The priest offered a blessing to the children, and they all headed for the door.
“You never gave me an answer,” Severin said when they reached the privacy of his truck.
“Was it a question?”
“No.” His expression was troubled, hooded.
“I won’t safeword marrying you, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
He relaxed back against the seat. The ring still felt warm. She wondered how long he’d waited with it in his hand before putting it on her. Had he been carrying it around since before today? Or had tonight been the plan all along?
“Do you want a better ring?”
“I love this ring.” She hugged her hand protectively against her chest. She’d never been one much for jewelry, and the simplicity of the band meant it wouldn’t get in the way when she worked. “Why tonight? Why there?”
“I was waiting for the right time,” he said, dropping a possessive hand onto the back of her neck as he followed Church’s car down the highway toward home.
“So tonight, while I was kneeling at your feet during a Christmas service at church it was the right time?” she asked innocently.
“Yes.” He flashed her a brief smile that made her toes curl. “It was either that or in the woods behind the house, but tonight seemed more fitting.”
“Why?”
“That Church was Sutton’s favorite place. It was as close to having her there as I was going to get.”
Minnow’s throat thickened with emotion. “You think she would have approved of this? Of us? It’s pretty fast.”
“She knew, and I could tell she was already starting to love you. She would have told me if she’d had objections.” He squeezed the back of her neck, and she melted under his hand. “Besides, even if she hated you, I’d marry you anyway.”
*
After an entire day of board games and baking and a hike, Church and Ilse had said their farewells, climbing into the limo that would take them back to the airport. Severin had gone off to the forge for a few hours, wanting to be alone.
Minnow tinkered for a while, t
idying, playing with the dogs then returning Rodrigo’s call, before crawling into bed with a book.
On a whim, she grabbed her laptop and checked Facebook, scrolling through happy family Christmas and Hanukkah pics posted by her various friends.
Now she’d have pictures of her own to post, if she wanted to.
All too soon, pictures of her sister and parents posing in front of the tree at her sister’s house popped up, along with pics of her and her husband.
Joyous news. They were expecting.
It was like a kick in the balls – well, the way she assumed a kick in the balls would feel if she had the requisite equipment.
Happy. They were all so...happy without her. Normal. Picture perfect.
She examined her mother and father, their tans accentuating the laugh lines around their eyes. Her sister was already glowing even though it was early yet.
So fucking awkward – should she send something? Flowers? Maybe Ilse would know what she should send. She found herself wallowing for a good half hour before she gave her head a shake. If they didn’t want her there, why was she so upset?
She thought about last Christmas, then how different this one had been. She was damn lucky. Christmas with her new family had been relaxed and fun even. Loud, messy teamwork. They’d had a blast together. Her only regret was that they hadn’t seen Rodrigo over the holidays.
No more wallowing.