As much as it pains me not to go to Bree and interrupt her moment with Alyssa, I work to untie the tree and get it into the house. I leave the girls outside while they talk about what decorations have to go up and hear Alyssa comment on how Santa needs to be able to find her house, so we need lights. I make a mental note to add a string of lights to the front this weekend.
When Bree finally makes her way inside, her arms are full. I take what I can and follow her into my kitchen. I pause in the doorway, listening to her tell me about my photos and the people that came into the gallery today, and watch her. She fits perfectly, almost as if this space was designed just for her.
“Did you hear me?”
I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “I’m sorry, I was lost in thought.”
“I sold two of your pictures this morning, within minutes of hanging them.”
My mouth opens to reply, but nothing comes out. “You . . . you did?”
Bree nods and smiles brightly. “They asked when I’ll have more because they were so excited.” She comes over to me and starts to take the remaining things out of my hands. “Are you okay?”
I nod and lean forward, pressing my lips to hers. This time, I deepen the kiss, testing myself. When we part, she opens her eyes slowly. “What was that for?”
“I’ve wanted to do that since high school.”
“Really?” she asks.
“Yeah, and I’m trying to make everything make sense in my head. Every book I’ve read tells me I need to take time to heal, but as soon as I saw you, it’s like the hole in my heart sealed up and starting pumping again. Besides my parents, you’re the first one to see any of the photographs because I couldn’t bring myself to share them, but you make me feel so at ease, so comfortable like we were meant to be in each other’s lives that I want to share everything with you.”
Bree swallows hard and looks into my eyes. “I never believed in love at first sight until I saw you standing in line. I haven’t been able to think of anything or anyone else since that moment. But, I don’t want you to rush, and I want you to be sure because this wouldn’t be a you and I situation. It’s an us. There are three of us with our hearts on the line.”
I smile softly. “The two of us are certain we want you in our lives.”
Bree’s grin rivals Alyssa’s when she saw Santa the other day. “But first, dinner.” She takes the bags from me and gives me a quick peck. “I’ll cook. Santa heard I was helping you and Alyssa tonight, so he got another elf to take my place. You set up the tree and start stringing the lights. We have a long night ahead of us.”
This time, the small talk in a small town has worked to my advantage. I have to remember to thank Santa the next time I see him.7BreeIt’s been three weeks since mine and Caleb’s first kiss. During that time, we’ve had many more, but that’s as far as it’s gone. I think it’s good to take things slow. What I love most about mine and Caleb’s time together is how natural it all feels. I can’t help but smile when I’m around him and Alyssa. Alyssa loves that about me and often asks if I’m ever sad. For most of the past month, I haven’t had a reason to be sad about anything. This Christmas is turning out to be the best holiday I’ve ever had.
Tomorrow is the biggest event of the year for me, and I’m way past ready to show everyone what I have in store for them. Caleb spent the entire day with me in the gallery, making sure everything is in place. My paintings are on display, scattered throughout the gallery, and intermingled with my work is Caleb’s photographs and other pieces I procured from other artists. Every year, I sell out of almost everything, and once the new year comes, I’m busy trying to come up with new ideas.
“I have a strange feeling tomorrow’s going to be insane,” Caleb calls out.
I finish dusting off the golden frame surrounding my snow globe painting. “Oh yeah, why is that?”
He chuckles. “Come here and see for yourself.” He’s at the front desk, sitting there with my laptop open in front of him. His eyes twinkle when he looks up at me. “How many people do you usually have come for the showcase event?”
I think back through the past few years. “Let’s see, the first year I had about a hundred people come through, but more and more come each year. Last Christmas, I had a little over two hundred. Why do you ask?” He swivels my laptop toward me so I can see the screen where he has a huge number highlighted. “What is that number for?”