Mason (Mail-Order Brides For Christmas)

Today is Christmas, and I’m lying on the couch recovering from the big breakfast that we had. Mia loved the presents I got her, a soft blanket, a robe with Mrs. Mistletoe printed on the back, and the diamond earrings. Of all her presents, I think she loved the robe the most. Instead of putting it on, I’ve caught her staring at her name since she received it.

She gave me a beard kit, pajama bottoms, and homemade coupons offering back rubs, showers together, and alone time. She took back the shaving kit and the pajamas as soon as I opened them because she decided she likes my beard and doesn’t want me sleeping in pants. Luckily, she let me keep the coupons, and I know I’ll be redeeming those very soon.

“Mason, did you do this?” she asks me, walking into the living room.

She’s holding up the picture I drew of her, but I’m not looking at it. I’m looking at her. She’s in awe of the portrait, and the way she’s looking at me cuts through my walls of defense like a tongue through whipped cream. I sit up, pulling her into my arms until she lands on my lap, and I cradle her there. “Yes. That first night when you were in the bath.”

She shakes her head, confused. “How? I mean, we’d just met, how did you do such a portrait without even looking at me?”

I should be embarrassed. I should just blow it off, but I can’t. “From the first moment I saw you, before I was even sure you were the one I was going to marry, I had committed everything about you to memory. You’re beautiful, Mia.”

“Oh, Mason.” She puts her hand on my chest as her face flushes a pretty pink.

I cup her jaw. “Tell me something about you. Something I don’t know.”

She looks up at the ceiling and back at me. “Uh, I own a winery.”

“What?” I ask her, surprised. “You own a winery?”

“Well, yes. When my parents passed, it was left to me, but I haven’t been there since their death. I haven’t been able to bring myself to go there.” A sadness overcomes her face, and I rub my thumb across her cheek as if I could smooth out her worry lines. “I have people in place to run it, but maybe one day you would want to go there with me?” she asks me hopefully.

“Sure, absolutely.” I think about the fact that she has an income, she’s beautiful and smart, she’s everything. Why did she agree to this marriage? I can’t figure it out. “Why did you agree to an arranged marriage, Mia?” I ask her, thinking her answer will be what keeps me from tipping over the edge.

She starts to talk about her parents. And instead of the sadness when she brought them up before, her face is filled with hope. Her hand goes to my face, tracing the scar on my cheek, and then she leans in and kisses the puckered skin there softly before pulling back. “My parents had an arranged marriage. Neither one of them wanted to go through with it, but as soon as they saw each other, they agreed to it.” She shrugs her shoulders. “It was love at first sight. It was fate. I know that’s what it was. And I don’t know, but when I talked to your mom, I couldn’t not do it. It weighed on me so heavily, I knew I was going to do it.” She takes a deep breath and pulls back her shoulders, looking me straight in the eye as if daring me to disagree with her. “I believe it’s fate that brought us together.”

I brush the hair off her face and don’t even try to look away from her. It hits me hard how fucking fearless this little half pint of a woman is. She believes in fairy tales, happy endings, and true love. Looking at her, I know she deserves to receive nothing less.

We stare at each other so long I can see every emotion filter across her face. I wrap my hand around the base of her neck. “I’m all in, my fearless Mia.”

I seal my lips to hers, wanting her to know exactly what I’m feeling. I’m never going to get enough of her, but there’s an edge that I feel. With my life, the things I’ve seen, I can’t help but wonder if this is too good to be true. Can it really last? I know how I feel, but what about her? She’s young and has so much to offer. How can she settle with a broken hero that doesn’t believe in fairy tales anymore?

Mia

It’s a few days after Christmas, and we’re finally home. I’m glad that Mason and I had the last few days to get to know one another, but it’s nice being able to get things set up in our home. He has a beautiful little cabin and told me I could decorate it however I want. He’s next door at his tattoo shop, and I’m moving about the house, putting all my things away. He’s gone above and beyond to make me feel welcome, and I know it’s crazy, but I miss him. He’s only next door, and he told me I could come over there and hang out at any time, but I don’t want him to think I’m clingy or anything.