“That’s wrong. Anyway, I don’t think me and you splashed all over the news helps with getting in good with my father.”
He turned to his side and propped his head up on his arm. “Are you going to introduce us?”
I grabbed my keys. “I’ll think about it. Anyway, it’s Christmas soon. We’ll talk after the holidays.” I needed time to figure out how to break the news to Dad and Haley about me and Nate.
“After the holiday,” he agreed.
Though I hated to leave, I did, bouncing on my toes with each step. My heart was growing with fondness for him. If I wasn’t careful, I’d slip and fall completely for him.
The thing was, he wasn’t staying. The topic we’d avoided was the fact that in a few short months, he’d be leaving for training camp or whatever they called it in baseball. And though he wouldn’t mean it, based on what I knew of him now, I’d be the one left with a broken heart. I couldn’t let that happen.
But dreams didn’t always come true.
TWENTY-ONE
Nate
The next day, Sunshine arrived. “Morning,” I said, letting her in. “You know, I didn’t think about the fact that it’s Christmas tomorrow and you might have family you want to be with.”
Pleasant as our first meeting, she said, “No. My parents are dead, and I was their only child. It’s just me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that… about your parents, that is. I lost my mom a few years ago, and it’s still weird to be home and her not be here.”
“Yes. You don’t know how much you need them until they’re gone,” she agreed.
“So true. You have the run of the house except for my and my brother’s rooms upstairs. I’m picking up Dad tomorrow. That will give you today to settle in. Do I need to get your bags?”
She held up the duffle. “This is all I have.”
“You can park in the back if you like.”
“I don’t drive.” At my alarm, she said, “I know how. I don’t have a car.”
“Wait. So how did you get here? I could have picked you up.”
She shook her head. “I took the bus to town and then I walked. It’s fine. I like to walk.”
I’d need to get her a car if this worked out. I couldn’t leave her here alone with Dad without a car. Or she could drive Dad’s. I’d have to think about that.
“Is that okay?” she asked.
I shook myself out of my thoughts. “No. It’s fine. Dad has a truck you can use, or I can get you a car.”
She waved me off. “Please don’t. I really like to walk. I grew up living on the land. My mother preferred living off the land and my dad is what you would call a prepper.” He hated technology. My parents didn’t own a car, and I walked to school every day.”
“Oh… Well, Dad’s truck will be available in case. I’ve ordered food for tomorrow.”
“You didn’t have to. I enjoy cooking.”
“It’s Christmas. It will be enough meeting my father. He isn’t exactly happy with me for putting him in the retirement community. Though I’m bringing him home, I’m not sure how he’ll be with all the changes.”
“I see. A good meal will hopefully brighten his spirits.” She glanced around. “You don’t celebrate Christmas?”
“We do. But again, Dad hasn’t been home for Christmas since Mom died. I wasn’t sure if reminding him of the past was a good thing. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing or not.”
“I’ve found that many of the seniors I’ve worked with appreciate the memories. It brings them comfort.”
“So I should get a tree?”
“I think if you’ve made a lot of changes around here, if you decorate maybe the way your mother did, it might ease him into the other changes.”
Hell. “Okay. I guess I need to go to see about getting a tree.”
“Go. I’ll be fine.”
I went to my room and put on my hiking boots and ski jacket. Then I made a call.
“Hey, handsome,” Avery answered.
“Now I’m handsome?” I joked.
“You know you are. What can I do for you this fine morning?”
“Oh, I can think of a great deal of things I’d like to do to you this morning. But I called to see if you want to go cut down a Christmas tree with me.”
“Christmas is like tomorrow.” Her voice was full of mirth.
“I know, but my dad is coming home, and it’s been brought to my attention, I should probably decorate.”
“I’m supposed to be at work in an hour, but let me see if I can go in a little later.”
“Sure. I can pick you up.”
“How about I meet you somewhere? That way I can get to work after.”
“Sounds good. Let me know.”
I told her where I wanted to go. Though the mountain near our house wasn’t technically ours, it bordered our land. We’d gotten trees there every year growing up. I didn’t think it would be a big deal now. At least I hoped so. And it gave me an excuse to hang out with Avery.