you.”
“You’re welcome, Nick. What for?”
But I know what this is. I go home tomorrow and he moves on. Christmas is over and this unexpected five days fades away.
“For this week,” he says. “I thought you hated me, but I’ve had a blast.
I try not to shiver. “I never hated you. I barely knew you.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “After that accident you were so upset. And that first day I saw you here I couldn’t believe it was you. Right here . On this porch. You were so ticked.”
“Yeah. Not real proud of my behavior that day, but the truth is, I’ve had a blast too. I’m glad we talked and got to know each other. And you’re a great cat burglar. So thank you too, Nick. If I had to be dumped on a doorstep at Christmas, I’m glad it was here, and I’m glad it was with you.”
I rub my hands together for heat and plan my escape. I get it. The brush-off is complete and I can go. “So... I need to get upstairs. Merry Christmas, Nick.”
“Holly, wait.” He grabs my arm. “Where are you going? What’s wrong?”
I’m doing it again, I just know it. A tear has escaped. I feel it trickle down my cold cheek as my face betrays me again. “Nothing’s wrong. Or everything’s wrong. I don’t know. You’re confusing me. I thought this was your way of saying see you around or something.”
“Are you crying?”
“No! Maybe a little. Never mind. I understand.”
“C’mon, Holly, can you relax for one minute? What is it you think you understand? What kind of guy do you think I am?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not very good at... At whatever this is,” I say and manage a tiny laugh. “This night has been over-the-top emotional. Jesus is born, the cops come, I get a car, there’s a wedding to plan. A great guy I just got to know tells me he’s leaving to head straight into danger...”
Nick takes me in his arms with such force my breath escapes and I can’t get it back. I am happier than I care to admit in his tight embrace.
“I’ll be safe,” he says and strokes my hair. “Especially with all the praying you’ll be doing.”
I laugh against his chest. “I know God will protect you. And don’t get me wrong, I’m proud to know someone who wants to serve their country. But it’s scary.”
“Forget all that right now. I also wanted to know if you’ll come to my dad’s New Year’s Eve party with me. He’ll be back in town in a couple days. It’s a big deal for him.”
The dips and turns and highs and lows of this week would put any roller coaster to shame. I’m squeezing the bar again and waiting for the bottom to fall out from under me.
“I’d love to,” I say against his chest. “Sounds like fun.”
“And one more thing. Your face is fine the way it is.”
“What?” I look up at him, curious as to where this is going.
“Earlier. You said you wanted to change it because you can’t hide what you’re feeling. But your face is beautiful, Holly. Even when your eyes were black, even when your nose was swollen, and especially when you give everything away. Because it’s honest.”
Nick Zernigan is kissing me again. My chest aches from the cold and the warmth and the truth of Christmas and Nick’s peace and certainty and a million other things...
The roller coaster is clicking up another hill... Whoosh! It drops again and I am screaming and laughing in my head, breathless.
Christmas is saved.
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