Forever Wild (Wild 2.50)

“We’re fine.” I heard my mom tell Simon as much, but of course Jonah needed to witness that with his own two eyes. He’s always been a “see it to believe it” kind of person.

He shakes his head. “I told you the roads were getting bad. You should’ve come back hours ago—”

“I found a dress!” I exclaim, trying to distract him from his rant.

His shoulders lift with a deep inhale. A telltale sign that he’s fighting his need to continue rebuking me. “It’s what you wanted?”

“It’s perfect. Or it will be.”

He exhales. “Good. I’m glad.”

My mom slides out of Roy’s truck, slamming the heavy door shut behind her. “Simon didn’t come with you?”

“I told him to hang back. Why don’t you guys take the car and head home? I’ll help Roy get this out.”

Mom slows to smile at Roy but only for long enough to say, “Thank you for your help. I hope we see you again soon,” before rushing ahead to climb into the driver’s side.

“Don’t they get snow in Toronto?” Roy asks casually, inspecting the underside of my Jeep. I’m guessing he’s looking for somewhere to attach that big hook.

“Yes. And she hates it there, too.”

Jonah notices Mabel strapping on a spare helmet. “Where’s she goin’?”

“Out with Kelly for a while.”

He frowns. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

“I know, but Agnes told her—”

“Mabel!” he barks. “I want to see you back at our house by four thirty!”

Even in the dusk, I can see her face twist with indignation. “But Mom said—”

“I’ll be watching the clock. And Kelly? You go slow on that. It’s a lot faster than it needs to be.” A warning he makes every time Mabel and Kelly have gone out sledding together.

Mabel turns away, but not before I catch the eye roll.

Jonah doesn’t miss it, either, based on his inward groan.

“You’re gonna make her hate you.”

“That’s fine. At least she’ll live.” He zips up his coat. “Go on, get out of here. It’s miserable out.”

Jonah’s being far more tolerable than I expected. “You’re going to give me another earful later, aren’t you?”

“Yup.” He leans in to kiss me. “But it’s only because I love you. See you at home.”

I smile sheepishly. “Thank you.”

“Oh, you’ll be thanking me later.” He slaps my backside on his way past.

“Hey, Roy. Christmas dinner at our place tomorrow night. Come around four?”

He spares me a glance before turning back to my Jeep to fasten the hook. “Got plans already.”

I sigh heavily. “Right. Christmas with the chickens.”

“And the goats,” he hollers after me.