Big Man for Christmas - Penny Wylder Page 0,59

art, and there are a lot of amazing delicacies for sale along with the potluck provided by everyone in the town.

This morning I moved my suitcase out of my parents’ house and into Casey’s. The kids can have the good bed, and I get to spend time with him. My mother watched me without speaking, but there was still judgement in her eyes.

But I no longer care. This morning I woke up happier than I’ve been in years, wrapped up in Casey. He had to get up at dawn to do the work of the farm along with the other employees. In the time I’ve been here, I have yet to see the people that work for Casey since they’ve all been gone by the time I was around. But I heard them in the yard putting the cows out to pasture as Casey was kissing me good morning.

“It’s Christmas Eve,” I said. “You should stay in bed.”

He laughed. “I’ll be back soon enough, you sleep.”

And I did, stretched out in Casey’s giant bed. Until he came back hours later and kissed me awake, carrying me downstairs—naked—to a breakfast he’d driven into town and picked up. Because he is still the world’s worst cook. I can live with that.

Now Casey’s arm is around my waist as we carry cups of thick, rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. We are definitely getting stares from all the people in town, but I can’t bring myself to worry about it. Yes, some people might call me names and terrible things because I walked out on my fiancé and was with Casey the next day. But those people don’t know the whole story and don’t understand that my relationship with Tyler had already been over for a long time.

Mrs. Harlowe approaches us. She’s got a box of those amazing cookies and she’s handing them out to anyone who wants one. I do before they’re gone. Even if we still have the entire box at Casey’s house.

There’s a glint in her eye. “I thought I saw something between you two when you stopped by my house. Glad to know that I was right.”

I blush, and Casey kisses my cheek. “That’s right Mrs. Harlowe. I’ve tricked her into being with me. Who knows how long it will last?”

“Hey,” I smack my arm. “You didn’t trick me.”

“Says who?” He swipes a finger through his whipped cream and brushes it across my lips as an excuse to kiss me fully. It’s our first kiss in public, and I find that I couldn’t care less. It still lights me up from my head to my toes, tingles of light dancing through me.

Mrs. Harlowe laughs. “Well I’m happy for both of you. It’s always nice to see young love. Take a cookie?”

“Absolutely,” I say, snagging one. “And thank you.”

I turn around to find Casey shaking my father’s hand. “Thank you,” he says. “For making my daughter see sense.”

“I’m pretty sure she did that all on her own, Mr. Farrell. I’m just lucky.”

My dad smiles at me and pulls me into a hug. “You okay?”

“I’m better than okay. I didn’t have a chance to thank you for last night.”

He laughs, a deep belly laugh that carries through the air and draws people’s eyes towards us. “You don’t have to thank me for that, sweetheart. That was an absolute pleasure and I’d do it again.”

“Good.” It’s amazing to know that he’s on my side. “Are you and Mom okay?”

He nods. “We’ll be fine. We had a long talk after you left. She’ll be okay, and so will you. It may take her some time to come around, but she will.”

“Okay.”

“Just enjoy the fireworks and try not to worry.”

The smile on my face is the same one that’s been there all day. “I don’t think anything could make me sad today. Truly.”

“I’m happy for you,” he says, hugging me close again. “He’s a good man.”

“He is.”

Chimes ring out over the fields. It’s almost time for the fireworks to start. Everyone starts making their way toward the big open space reserved for them. Part of me wants to watch them in full, but a greater part of me is brimming with excitement to very much not watch them.

Casey and I wait on the edge of the field, near to the woods, watching the whole town assemble and look upwards. There are kids running around and couples spreading out blankets, and I’m suddenly emotional being here again. It feels too perfect, and I want