Season's Greetings : Christmas Box Set

Laughter spills around the table.

“I feel like I’m missing something,” Laurene says.

“Just a little Tangle of Tinsel. Isn’t that what we named it?” Romy asks sweetly.

“Sounds an awful lot better than knocked her noggin and ended up in the hospital,” Pop says.

“But Caleb was so dashing caring for her,” Nona cries.

Romy shifts beside me.

“It was my honor, Nona,” I mumble.

Laurene clears her throat. “Can you direct me to the washroom, Caleb?”

“Of course. Please, excuse me.” Standing, I guide her down the hall and step outside onto the back porch. The cold air chases away the stuffy environment that existed around the dinner table. Drinking in the beauty of the land, I admire the snow-coated pines and hills. The view always seemed an equal trade for the overabundance of snow.

“You coming back inside anytime soon?”

“Hey, Pop.”

He steps out beside me. “I told Nat I’d come to fetch you. Your young lady returned to the table a while ago.”

“I guess I lost track of time out here, and she isn’t my anything.”

“That’s not the story she’s trying to spin.”

“She’s not used to being told no.” I scowl.

“And you’re willing to risk ruining what you have with Romy because of that?”

“We just met Pop. There is no us.”

“Humph. When you know, you know. I told Nat I was going to marry her when I was fifteen, and she was thirteen. She laughed at me at the time and said I was talking out of my head. All I knew was I’d never seen a girl as beautiful or sweet. Nat has always cared for people and did everything in her power to make a difference. I wanted to live in her world of light and whimsy.”

“What the two of you have is rare, Pop.”

“Rare isn’t impossible.”

“Romy terrifies me. The way she makes me feel is exhilarating and scary at the same time. Being with her feels right. Her past has made her wary. This whole debacle is going to steal any ground I might’ve gained with her.” I glance up at the night sky dotted by stars. “Still, I can’t help but think she’s worth the struggle.”

“Sounds like you have your answer already, son.”

“Yeah, Pop, I do.” I smile. “Thanks for the talk.”

The door opens, and Laurene steps outside.

“It’s getting too cold for my old bones. I’ll leave you young people to it.” Patting my shoulder, he slips back inside.

“Are you hiding?” Laurene asks.

“Enjoying the view.”

“You never mentioned there was a new woman in your life.”

“How could I? You and I never talked. And we just met.”

“And yet you light up around her in a way I’ve never seen. I’ve never seen you like this.”