A Miracle for the Flirtatious K-9 Handler (Love in Sweet Bloom #10)

Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Snowflakes danced in the air around them as Emily pulled up to Paul’s place. Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness—today, she was introducing Paul to her family. She glanced at herself in the rearview mirror, hoping her green eyes sparkled with warmth rather than anxiety.

“Ready?” Emily asked as Paul climbed into the passenger seat and Maddox hopped in the back.

“Absolutely,” he replied, his brown eyes filled with a determination that seemed to radiate his usual focused demeanor. “I’m looking forward to meeting your parents.” Then, there was a long pause before he asked, “Do you think they’ll like me?”

“Well, considering you’re a far improvement from Charlie, I’m sure they’ll love you,” she assured him.

As they drove, Emily admired the way the snow clung to the branches of the trees and blanketed the ground. It created the perfect backdrop for the day ahead. Paul noticed her smile and gently squeezed her hand, providing a sense of comfort.

“Your brother is going to be there, right?” Paul asked, trying to mask his own nerves.

“Yep,” Emily answered, grateful for the distraction. “He’s really excited to see you again. Under better circumstances this time, especially.”

Paul nodded. “I’m glad we’ll have a chance to talk without a misunderstanding getting in the way.”

Emily smiled, her green eyes crinkling at the corners. “He’s been asking about you non-stop. I think he’s more excited to spend Christmas with you than me.”

“Ouch, you’re not looking forward to spending Christmas with me?” he teased.

“You know what I mean,” she said with a shake of her head.

As they drove through the snowy streets of Sweet Bloom, Paul’s mind wandered to his training at DCSR. He never imagined he’d live in such a small town, meeting his girlfriend’s family. It was a far cry from the life he used to live in New Orleans, filled with random women and lonely holidays.

“Hey,” Emily said softly, breaking his reverie. “You okay?”

Paul squeezed her hand. “Just a little nervous. I’ve never done the whole ‘meet the parents’ thing.”

Emily’s laugh was warm and reassuring. “Really? Never?”

He shook his head. “Never been with just one woman until now.”

His words danced across her skin, caressing her heart with a fiery warmth. She felt her chest tighten with emotion as she basked in the beauty of his sweet words.

“Well, trust me, they’re going to love you. Just be yourself.”

As they pulled into the driveway of Emily’s childhood home, Paul took a deep breath. The quaint two-story house was decorated with twinkling lights and a festive wreath on the door. The sight brought a wave of nostalgia over Emily, reminding her of countless childhood memories.

“Here we go,” Emily said, turning off the engine.

Paul leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Together?”

She nodded, her smile bright. “Together.”

They stepped out of the car, the cold air nipping at their faces as Maddox barked and wagged his tail in excitement. Paul’s training kicked in as he scanned the area. Old habits die hard, apparently, but as Emily took his hand and led him toward the house, his nerves seemed to settle down.

The front door swung open before they reached it, revealing Emily’s brother. His face split into a wide grin. “Finally. I thought you guys got lost in the snow.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just a little dusting,” she corrected with a roll of her eyes.

“Paul, man, it’s great to see you again,” Randy exclaimed, pulling him into a friendly embrace. Emily couldn’t help but feel relieved at their easy camaraderie.

“Randy, it’s good to see you too,” Paul replied, grinning broadly.

They made their way inside and into the living room, where her parents were waiting.

“Mom, Dad, this is Paul,” Emily said, as she introduced him to her parents. They both greeted him with warm smiles and open arms, instantly making him feel welcome.

“Oh, it’s so good to have you,” her mother gushed. “Emily has told us so much about you.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Paul,” her father said, shaking his hand firmly.

“Thank you for having me, Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz,” Paul replied, his voice full of gratitude. “I’m really looking forward to spending time with your family.”

As Emily watched the interaction between Paul and her parents, she felt a twinge of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on—maybe it was hope? Whatever it was, it warmed her from within, melting away any lingering doubts that had clouded her mind.

The aroma of homemade brisket wafted through the air, beckoning Emily and Paul into the dining room. The table was set with her mother’s best china, a testament to how much they wanted Paul to feel at home. As they sat down, Emily couldn’t help but notice the way Paul’s eyes lit up at the sight of the steaming dishes; it was clear that he’d been craving a good home-cooked meal.

“Mom, this looks incredible,” Emily said, eager for her family to see what a catch Paul was. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many delicious dishes in one place.”

“Thank you, dear,” Mrs. Ortiz replied, beaming. “I just hope our guest enjoys it as much as we do.”

Paul, sensing an opportunity to charm his hosts, chimed in with a grin. “I have no doubt I will. Thank you, Mrs. Ortiz, for going to all this trouble.”

“Oh, anything for Emily’s new beau,” she told him with a friendly smile.

As they dug into their meal, the conversation flowed easily. Emily’s twin brother regaled them with tales from his latest hiking adventures, while her father shared stories about his days as a high school football coach. Emily found herself laughing and engaging more than she had in months, and she could tell by Paul’s relaxed posture and frequent smiles that he felt the same.

After lunch, the family gathered in the living room for their traditional game of Monopoly. As they played, Emily watched Paul interact with her family, feeling her heart swell with each shared laugh and playful tease.

This was what she had been missing—this sense of having someone who enjoyed her family as much as she did. Charlie had always wanted her all to himself, constantly trying to pry her away from her family and friends. Paul was just the opposite. He enjoyed everyone that mattered to her, and that meant the world to her.

During a quiet moment in the game, Paul leaned over to Emily and whispered, “You know, I’m really glad you invited me here today.”

“Really?” Emily asked, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. “I wasn’t sure if you’d enjoy it.”

“Are you kidding?” Paul responded, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “I haven’t had this much fun in years. After losing my family, I never thought I would have this again. But being here with yours...it’s just really special.”

Emily felt her heart break for him, even as it filled with warmth for the man sitting beside her. She reached out and squeezed his hand, offering him a silent promise that she would do everything in her power to make sure he never felt alone again.

“Paul,” she said softly, “I’m so glad you’re here, too. You’re always welcome with my family.”

As the evening wore on, Emily couldn’t help but notice how seamlessly Paul fit into her family dynamic. He laughed at her father’s corny jokes, discussed EMT protocols with Randy, and even helped her mother clean the dishes. It was as if he’d always been a part of their lives.

“So, Paul,” her father began as they settled back into the living room, “Emily tells us you’re new to Sweet Bloom. How are you finding it?”

Paul’s eyes lit up. “It’s been great, sir. The community here is so welcoming, and I’m really enjoying my work with the sheriff’s department.”

“And Maddox?” Mrs. Ortiz chimed in, glancing at the German shepherd curled up by Paul’s feet.

“He’s loving it too,” Paul replied, reaching down to scratch behind Maddox’s ears. “Aren’t you, boy?”

Maddox’s tail thumped against the floor in response, eliciting chuckles from everyone.

Emily felt a warmth spread through her chest. This was everything she’d hoped for and more. She caught Paul’s eye and smiled, receiving a soft grin in return.

As the clock struck seven, Emily reluctantly stood up. “We should probably get going. It’s getting late, and I’m sure Maddox needs his walk.”

Her parents nodded, rising to see them off. Hugs were exchanged, and promises of future visits were made. Emily couldn’t help but notice how her mother held onto Paul a little longer, whispering something in his ear that made him smile.

Once they were back in the car, Emily turned to Paul. “So, how was it? Be honest.”

Paul’s face broke into a wide grin. “Emily, it was perfect. Your family is amazing.”

She felt relief wash over her. “Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“I promise,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I haven’t felt this at home in a long time.”

Emily squeezed his hand, her heart swelling with emotion. As they drove through the quiet, snow-covered streets of Sweet Bloom, she realized something had shifted between them. This wasn’t just a casual relationship anymore. This was something real, something lasting.

“Paul,” she said softly, “I’m really glad you came today.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “Me too, Emily. Me too.”

As they pulled up to her house, Emily felt a twinge of reluctance to say goodnight. “Do you want to come in for a bit?” she asked.

Paul smiled. “I’d like that.”

As they walked hand in hand toward her front door, with Maddox trotting ahead, Emily knew that this Christmas was going to be different from any other.

“Ready for some cookie-making magic?” Emily asked as they stepped inside her apartment. She kicked off her shoes and led Paul into the kitchen. They donned aprons and began mixing ingredients, falling into an easy rhythm as they worked side by side. Laughter filled the room, along with the sweet aroma of sugar and spices.

As the cookies baked, Emily disappeared into her bedroom, returning moments later with a beautifully wrapped gift. “I got you something,” she said shyly, handing it to Paul.

“Emily, you didn’t have to do that,” Paul replied, his cheeks flushing with warmth as he accepted the present. Carefully unwrapping it, he discovered a leather-bound journal embossed with the words “Search and Rescue Procedures” on the cover. He looked at Emily, deeply touched. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

“Wait, there’s more,” Emily added, producing a small package wrapped in dog-themed paper. “This one’s for Maddox.”

Paul helped Maddox unwrap the gift—a durable chew toy shaped like a police badge. The German shepherd wagged his tail furiously and immediately began gnawing on his new treasure.

“Your turn,” Paul said, retrieving a small velvet box from his coat pocket. Emily’s green eyes widened as she opened it, revealing a delicate gold necklace with a tiny heart-shaped pendant.

“Paul, it’s beautiful,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. He gently fastened it around her neck, their fingers brushing briefly as they shared a tender moment.

With the cookies cooling on the counter, they settled on the couch with Maddox curled up at their feet. Paul tentatively draped his arm around Emily as they watched a classic Christmas movie, both of them stealing glances at each other between scenes.

As the screen flickered with images of snow-covered landscapes and cheerful holiday gatherings, a sense of contentment filled the room. Emily hesitated for a moment before turning to face Paul, her green eyes gazing deeply into his brown ones.

“Paul,” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

“Emily,” Paul breathed, his voice warm and steady, “I’ve been falling in love with you since the day we met.” He leaned in slowly, capturing her lips in a tender kiss that seemed to make time stand still.

As they pulled away, their eyes locked, and she knew without a doubt that they had found something truly special in each other. Surrounded by the Christmas lights, the scent of freshly baked cookies, and the soft snores of Maddox, Paul and Emily embraced the magic of the moment, basking in their love for one another.