Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“My flight is at two, so I should probably clean up and get out of here by ten, just to give myself enough time to return the rental car and all that.”
“Is it still snowing?” With any luck, there would be a blizzard to strand him here.
“Just a little. The roads look fine.”
Dammit. I hated the thought of watching him drive away from me. I didn’t want to think about it. “What time is it now?”
“It’s just after nine.”
Less than an hour left with him. “Okay.”
He set his coffee down and squeezed my foot beneath the blanket. “There’s one more gift I have to give you before I go.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a surprise.” His blue eyes glittering, he finished off a piece of toast.
“Joe, you’ve already given me enough for Christmas.”
“This is about more than just Christmas.”
And despite everything I knew to be true, to be real, to be sound and logical, my heart began to pound. “What’s it about?”
“Just get dressed. And then I’ll show you.”
Trying to remain calm, I got out of bed and threw on some jeans and a sweatshirt. While I was pulling a sock on, I asked, “Do I need shoes?”
“Yes. We have to go outside.”
Straightening up, I looked at him over my shoulder. “Outside?”
“Yes.” He grinned, bringing his coffee to his lips.
“Okay.” I tugged on my second sock and stood up. “My boots are by the front door.”
In the hallway, Joe took my puffy coat from the closet and helped me into it. I stepped into my snow boots while he put on his coat and shoes. The whole time, my insides were knotting themselves up until I felt so tightly wound I might snap.
Joe laughed when he saw my face. “You look nervous.”
“I’m just trying to figure out what you’re about to show me.”
He put his hand on the door handle. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. The suspense is killing me.”
His grin grew even wider as he opened the door. “Take a look.”
I stepped onto the front porch, my eyes scanning the front yard.
Then I froze. I gasped. I covered my mouth with both hands.
Parked at the curb in front of my house, topped by a giant red bow, was a shiny black SUV.
“Joe Lupo, tell me I’m seeing things.”
He laughed. “You’re seeing your new ride. Look, the keys are right here in the mailbox. Santa left them for you.”
“No.” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “No. When I open my eyes, there will not be a new car in front of my house.”
“Try it out.”
I peeked with one eye. “It’s still there.”
“Then maybe you should go touch it. Make sure it’s real.” Pulling a key fob from the mailbox, he took me by the hand. “Come on, cupcake.”
In a complete daze, I let him lead me down the snowy walk to the street. He unlocked the driver’s side door and opened it for me. When I stood there in a stupor just staring at the gorgeous black leather interior, he laughed and took my arm again. “Come on. I’ll help you in.”
Once I was seated behind the wheel, he went around to the passenger side and got in. “Well? What do you think?”
“I can’t think. I’m in shock.” My breath made little puffs of white in the freezing air.
“Start the car, so we can have some heat. Look, you even have seat and steering wheel warmers.”
I did what he said, but as the vehicle warmed up, I shook my head. “Joe. I can’t accept this.”
“Sure, you can.”
“I won’t.”
“You have to. Listen, this is a brand new Honda CR-V. It has a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. I have been assured of its robust safety features, including front-crash prevention, backup camera, rear child safety locks, and more. It’s got four doors, which will make dealing with a car seat easier. And it’s got plenty of room in the back for Nicky’s hockey equipment.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “Who are you?”
“I’m just a dad in the making who wants to make sure the mother of his son—and his son, once he arrives—is safe on the road. So I did some research.” He shrugged. “Plus, turns out I used to play hockey with the guy who owns your local Honda dealership. He got the car in and delivered it for me.”
My eyes filled. I slipped my glasses off and placed them in my lap. Pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m . . . I’m overwhelmed.”
“Listen to me, Mabel.” He reached over and took my hand. “On that plane you thought was going down, you said you regretted being so practical and careful. You said you’d never splurged on a new car, and you didn’t even know what a new car smelled like.”
Tears were leaking from the corners of my eyes, and I tipped my head back, staring at the car’s pristine ceiling. “Why do you remember everything I said on that stupid flight?”