Finn expelled a heavy sigh. “If you aren’t going to change your mind, at least let me drive you.”
He had no idea what this trip entailed. To say her family dynamics were complicated was an understatement. It was best Finn stay home. “Thanks. But I’m sure you have other things to do—”
“Nothing as important as you.”
The breath caught in her throat. Had he really just said that? Was she truly important to him? And then she realized he probably meant because she was carrying his babies. Because she’d asked him straight up if he loved her and he hadn’t been able to say the words.
“Holly? Are you still there?”
“Um, yes.”
“Good. I’m just pulling into the garage now. I’ll be up in a minute. Just be ready to go.”
She disconnected the call and moved to her spacious bedroom to retrieve the Christmas packages and her coat. Her stomach churned. Once this was done, she could relax. In and out quickly.
She’d just carried the packages to the foyer when Finn let himself in the door. She glanced up at him. “You know I can take a cab.”
“I told you if you’re going out tonight, I’m going with you.”
“You don’t even know where I’m going.”
“Good point. What’s our destination?”
“My father’s house. I want to give my sisters the Christmas presents I bought while we were in the Caribbean.”
He scooped up the packages before opening the door for her. “So we’ve progressed to the point where I get to meet the family.” Finn sent her a teasing smile. “I don’t know. Do you think I’ll pass the father inspection?”
She stopped at the elevator and pressed the button before turning back to him. “I don’t think you have a thing to worry about.”
His smile broadened. “That’s nice to know.”
“Don’t get any ideas. In fact, you can wait in the car. I won’t be long.”
“Are you sure you want to take the presents now? I mean Christmas isn’t until the weekend after next.”
“I don’t spend Christmas with them. I usually spend it with my mother. But after talking with my mother and aunt, I decided to give them something extra special for Christmas—a cruise.” It would definitely put a dent in her savings, but it was worth it. This was her mother’s dream vacation.
“That was very generous of you.”
Holly’s voice lowered. “They deserve it.”
“And what about you?” When she sent him a puzzled look, he added, “You deserve a special Christmas, too. What would you like Santa to bring you?”
“I...I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it.”
The elevator door slid open. Finn waited until Holly stepped inside before he followed. “You know without your mother around, perhaps you could spend the time with your father.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
Finn had no idea about her family. Thankfully she’d thought to tell him to stay in the car. She didn’t want to make an awkward situation even more so.
* * *
Something was amiss, but what?
Was she really that uncomfortable with him meeting her family? Or was it something else? Finn glanced over at Holly just before he pulled out from a stop sign. The wipers swished back and forth, knocking off the gently falling snow.
The sky was dark now and all Finn wanted to do was turn around. He wasn’t worried about himself. He never let the weather stop him from being wherever he was needed. But it was different now that he had Holly next to him and those precious babies. He worried about the roads becoming slick.
“We’re almost there.” Holly’s voice drew him from his thoughts.
It was the first thing she’d said in blocks. In fact, she hadn’t volunteered any details about her family. Why was that?
As he proceeded through the next intersection, Holly pointed to a modest two-story white house with a well-kept yard that was now coated with snow. “There it is.”
He pulled over to the curb and turned off his wipers. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Is everything all right?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”