When Mom returned, panting and wild-eyed, she slapped a photo into my hand. “Fate!”
“What?”
I looked down at the fading image. Mom was holding a brand spanking new baby—me, obviously. Next to her sat a woman, also holding a brand spanking new baby. Both women were smiling. I slept, my lips pursed, and the other baby’s face was hidden in the mother’s chest.
“Who is that?”
“That’s him.” She pointed at the baby as if that would answer my question.
“Him, who?”
“Caleb. Your soulmate. I found the picture when I was rummaging through the attic the other day.”
Mom studied the photo, wonder and tears filling her hazel eyes. “Her father-in-law was so happy to be a grandfather. So happy. That man whistled or sang every time he walked through the hospital.” She looked at Dad with a twisted grin. “Tell your Nugget what song that was, honey.”
Dad chuckled, his arms still around me. “Nat King Cole’s ‘L-O-V-E.’”
Of course, it was.
I was done. Rising to my toes, I landed a kiss on Dad’s cheek, then Mom’s, then headed toward my room.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Lacey’s.”
“Take one of those pies with you,” Mom shouted, though I was only down the short hall. “I baked too many pies.”
“Not the apple pie,” Dad yelled. “That’s mine.”
“Oh, and some of that—” The slamming bedroom door cut off their teasing.
My room hadn’t changed much since I’d moved out five years ago. Still the same bright turquoise bed frame. Patchwork quilt. Too many bed pillows. Pink and fuchsia striped walls. My Maroon 5 and Nick Jonas posters had been swapped out for antiqued, white trellis mirrors in different shapes and sizes and my Ikea dresser and nightstand had been upgraded to Pottery Barn sophistication.
Off with the candy cane leggings and baggy sweater, on with the sweater dress, tights, and boots.
Mascara. Lip gloss. Hair fluff. Good to go.
Mom swayed in Dad’s arms when I came back out, her cheek to his chest, his lips in her hair. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” playing on the stereo.
For a moment, I watched in awe and wonder of their connection, my heart aching for the same. Then I snapped a pic.
My phone buzzed. A text from the one and only Caleb, my new ridiculously handsome and sweet supervisor, whom I hadn’t mentioned to my parents for obvious reasons.
Merry Christmas. Enjoy UR family. Get some rest. I need my star player on the field to start our new year with a bang.
I liked that Caleb texted me. But his communications didn’t give me tingles.
I scrolled through my contacts and pulled up all the texts Cole had sent me since Thanksgiving. One a day, at least, apologizing. All of them short and sweet. Not once, though, had he asked me to answer his calls or call him back. He gave but asked for nothing in return.
On my way out the door, Dad shouted, “Hey, did you get the invite to your uncle’s retirement party next month?”
“I did.”
“Will you be able to make it?”
I looked over my shoulder. “Of course, I will.”
“Good. You’re his favorite niece. It’d break his heart if you couldn’t come.”
“I’m his only niece,” I shouted, closing the door before they could continue.
“Oh, Nat Brat.” Lacey threw her arms around me. “I’m so happy you came.”
“I made it.”
“Hey, Beautiful.” Ellis strolled out of the kitchen and planted a kiss on my head.
“Merry Christmas.” I handed Lacey the pies, then snatched the baby out of Ellis’s arms and slapped my keys in his palm.
“Presents are in the trunk. Do you mind?”
His deep chuckle was intoxicating. “Of course.” He gave Lacey’s ass a squeeze before jogging out the door.
I sighed, their affection swoon-worthy, then settled onto the sofa for cuddle time. The large Craftsman style home looked like a horde of drunk elves had thrown a rave. Every wall, window, and shelf was adorned with twinkling lights, garland, and Christmas cheer. Atop the tree sat an angel dressed in white. Lacey’s prized possession, passed down from her grandmother, to her mother, and then to Lacey.
“It smells like cinnamon rolls in here.”
“Been baking all day.” Lacey fell into the cushion next to me and brushed soft strokes over Leon’s head. “Dinner’s almost ready. Ellis’s parents will be here in a bit.”
“He’s perfect,” I said, staring at the gorgeous baby. “Absolute perfection.”
“I know.” She swiped a tear from my cheek. “How are you doing? We’ve hardly talked since Thanksgiving.”
“Been busy. My boss handed me the lead on two major accounts.”
“That’s great, but you know I don’t want to hear about work. What’s up with the men in that town? I heard Idaho breeds some of the prettiest people in the Northwest.”
“It’s true.” I winked. “Must be all the fresh air.”
The baby smiled up at me and, oh, sweet Lord, my heart. “You keep that up, little lady-killer, I might marry the next man I see just so I can make babies of my own.”
Lacey laughed. Leon cooed.
“So? No mountain men banging down your door?”
“Absolutely no banging whatsoever.” I refrained from mentioning all the dates I’d turned down. That was between me and my broken heart.
“I don’t believe you for a second.” Lacey leaned closer, gripped my wrist. “Is it Cole? Is that why you’re not dating?”
Scary how well she knew me.
“Just been busy, Lulu,” I sighed. “Trying to rule the world.”
Wise, brown eyes searched mine, unconvinced. “What about that boss of yours?”
“He’s remained strictly professional. Though I have caught him staring at me on more than one occasion.” And he had a killer dimple, I left unsaid. Every damn time he grinned, I was reminded of Cole. “Not that it matters. I would never date someone I work with, especially a supervisor.”
The door swung open, the bang echoing through their massive home. Ellis stumbled in under a mountain of shopping bags overstuffed with pretty packages.
“Oh, honey.”
