Cabin Fever With My First Flame (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

22. Finn

Chapter twenty-two

Finn

When I drove by Bailey’s home on Christmas morning, I couldn’t help but notice that Daniel’s rental car was still parked out front. As I got closer, I saw the couple embracing on the sidewalk and Bailey giving Daniel a kiss on the cheek. I had to look away while Micah continued to stare at them in disbelief. His disappointment was evident, but it didn’t last long.

Shortly after I pulled into the fire station, Micah’s phone pinged with a text, and he disappeared for the next hour while I hung out with the guys working their shift. Isaac and Jonah spent most of that time climbing on the fire trucks.

Right as we were about to leave, Bryce walked up to me and slapped me on the back. “Guess who’s moving to Lake George?”

“Other than Bailey and her daughters, I don’t have a clue,” I told him.

He laughed. “Daniel. He texted me this morning and said he broke it off with his fiancée and is moving back here. It’s all but a done deal. He’s heading to Myrtle Beach to pack up his stuff, and he’ll be back by New Year’s Eve.”

I barely held back the grimace from all the salt Bryce was rubbing in my wound and shrugged it off. “Thanks for the heads up.”

He clasps his hand on my shoulder. “I felt it was my civic duty to keep you in the loop so that you don’t get any ideas of trying to come between them. They have three daughters who need their father, Finn. The bright side is my sister is looking forward to her New Year’s Eve date with you.”

I remove his hand from my shoulder. “I don’t think I’m really in the mood to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.”

Micah strolled up to us, still texting on his phone. Without looking at me, he said, “You should keep your promise, Finn. What kind of example would you be setting for Isaac, Jonah, and me if you didn’t? It’s one date for a good cause, and who knows? It could turn into forever if you let it.”

And that’s how I find myself standing here behind the stage and sweating bullets. Despite my reservations about the auction and learning that the rumors of Daniel’s return are true, I find myself decked out in a tux, ready to become someone’s date tonight.

Micah, who is also dashing in his dark suit, adjusts my bow tie. “Don’t be nervous, Finn. It’s a few hours on the arm of a lovely lady and a kiss to ring in the New Year. Remember that all the proceeds go to the Pediatric Burn Unit at the hospital in Albany.”

“There’s only one woman I have any interest in dating, and she’s unavailable. I waited all week for Bailey to come to me and explain what I saw, but she didn’t,” I tell him.

“I sense a bit of history repeating itself. Have you confronted Bailey and asked her outright what her intentions are?” Micah asks, yanking a little harder on the tie than necessary.

“I promised I would give her space and that the next move is hers. I didn’t expect a week of radio silence,” I admit.

Micah lets go and shrugs. “A lot happened in a short period of time, and I’m sure it was overwhelming for her. If I had more than five dollars in my pocket for the concessions, I’d bet you she appreciated the space and time to breathe. You offered her friendship, which she sorely needs. Is that still on the table if she gets back together with Daniel? Be honest because I know you offered it with the intent that it could turn into more.”

I don’t answer him right away because I also offered that hand of friendship believing that Daniel wouldn’t be in the picture full-time. Now that he is, it changes my perspective. I swallow hard, not because I’m nervous, but because Micah re-tied my bow too tight. I pull at the bow tie to loosen it slightly.

I open my mouth to answer when a throat clears from the darkened corner off to our right. A deep voice tells Micah, “That’s not really a fair question to ask a man in love. If you were in love with a girl—could you stand by and be her friend while she was in love with someone else. Could you be her friend without letting jealousy grip you and guide your actions? Could you pretend that you weren’t head over heels for the girl?”

Micah shakes his head as the man emerges from the shadows. The corners of Daniel’s lips turn up when he sees me. He turns to face Micah, “May I have a moment alone with your uncle?”

I give Micah a subtle nod that he should leave. I turn to Daniel. “Are you here to gloat?”

His smile fades. “Quite the contrary. I’m here to apologize.”

My face must register my surprise because he chuckles and then continues, “I’ve always admired and respected you, Finn, although I never told you or showed you because I was jealous of you from the moment you came to town and caught Bailey’s eye. I pretended to be your friend so that I could be hers. It wasn’t fair to either of you, and for that, I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? You lied to get what you wanted and took away the one person who meant the world to me. I’ve accepted that I played a part in believing the lies and assuming the worst, but I never thought you would betray me, Daniel. I trusted and loved you like a brother. When you told me that you had been cheating behind my back, you did it with such remorse that I didn’t even question it. I questioned Bailey’s integrity instead! And the Academy Award goes to Daniel Johnson for Best Actor.”

Daniel’s shoulders slump, and his chin reaches his chest. “I deserve that. You have every right to hate me.”

Some of the vehemence leaves my body as I deflate. “I don’t hate you, Daniel. I just wish I understood why.”

He clasps his hands behind his back and stares at the ground. “Because I’m not a good man, Finn. At least not compared to you. I want to be. I want my daughters to speak of me the way they spoke of you on Christmas Eve. You’ve always put other people first, but not me. I’ve been selfish, and now I’ve lost the best things to ever happen to me. I’m here to get some of that back.”

“You’re here for Bailey.”

He shakes his head. “If I had tried, she would have shot me down like an F-22 taking down a hot air balloon. Quick, decisive, and with more ammunition than necessary to get the job done. We have a lot of good memories together, but I broke the cardinal rule. She may have forgiven me, but I don’t deserve a second chance, nor do I want one. I just want Bailey to get the ‘happily ever after’ she was supposed to get in the first place.”

My heart lifts at his admission. “Then why are you moving back?”

He laughs. “Do you want the truth?” He waits for me to nod. “First and foremost, I’m moving back for my daughters. It’s hard to maintain a relationship with them if there are 1,500 miles between us. I’d have to take them away from their friends for summers and holidays, and they wouldn’t want that. Even though Bailey and I are over, I’m not willing to give up on my girls.”

I can and absolutely respect that. “And the other reason?”

“Free rent and a job,” he says jokingly, only I don’t think he’s kidding. “Look, Finn, I’m not planning on getting in the way if Bailey and you decide to rekindle an old relationship. I had my chance and blew it big time. I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry for the way I treated you and for my actions. Bailey was never meant to be mine, no matter how much I wanted her to be. I will be in my daughters’ lives and Bailey’s by default. I’ll be at family barbecues and such. You should know that if you pursue a relationship with her, I promise to be on my best behavior—no more lies and or manipulation.”

He holds out his hand for me to shake. I eye it warily but slide my palm into his. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Name it. I owe you one for all the pain I caused you. I was young and selfish, Finn, and thinking in the moment. I never thought about the impact in the long term.”

I squeeze his hand and pull him close, speaking in low tones. “Can you tell Bryce your plans? He’s your biggest advocate, and not a day goes by that I don’t beg God and say, ‘Hold me back!’”

Daniel laughs. “I can do that. I’ll also give you some fair warning. His sister, Amanda, has saved up to get a date with you tonight.”

I cringe. “How much?”

“Enough to buy a used car?” he jokes. His smile fades, and his tone becomes serious. “I can’t change the past, Finn, but I can promise a better future. I doubt we’ll ever be friends, but I’d like to be. At a minimum, I’d like for us to be cordial. The best way I know to do that is to ask for your forgiveness. If you can’t grant it, I understand.”

I embrace Daniel, and we give each other the three-pat ‘bro’ hug. “If you are truly remorseful, I forgive you. But it’s not my forgiveness that matters in the end. Why don’t you come to church next Sunday? I’ll save a seat for you.”

He smiles. “I might just take you up on that offer. Good luck with the auction. I hope you make a very lucky lady happy tonight.”

Bryce walks off the stage and notices that Daniel and I are standing side by side. He looks perplexed by the amicable expressions on our faces and then goes into full “Bryce” mode. “I just raked in $2,300, a record for the department. Beat that Hollister!”

“Tell me, Bryce, how much did your sister save to get a date with me?”

His eyes narrow. “She only has to beat the highest bidder; it doesn’t mean she has to spend everything.”

I laugh. “She saved that much, huh?” I let the thought hang in the air as the Emcee continues the auction.

And now we introduce our next and final bachelor of the evening,” the host of the evening says. “He graced our town with his presence 20 years ago at the ripe old age of 16, then vanished into thin air. In that time, he has been lauded as a hero, saving countless lives and thousands of homes from wildfires on the West Coast. He’s a qualified smokejumper with enough muscles to tear down trees with his bare hands. He can leap tall buildings in a single bound, and tonight, he can be your prince who rescues you from the New Year doldrums with a kiss to ring in the New Year! Welcome the Ghost of Christmas Past, Finn Hollister!”

And the crowd goes wild!

I walk out onto the stage and then unbutton my suit jacket, striking a pose and tossing my head back. People laugh as I do a fake model walk, and someone from the crowd yells, “Work it, Hollister! Work it!”

The Emcee starts the bidding. “Do I hear $500?”

“$500!” Bryce’s sister, Amanda, shouts.

“$600!” says a voice in the back. I narrow my eyes to see through the bright light, but I can’t make out the identity of the second bidder.

“$700!” Amanda says, scowling at the woman.

“$1,000!” the woman says, slowly making her way through the crowd. Bailey comes into sight, dressed to the nines in a deep scarlet dress with a single sleeve on her shoulder. The form-fitting attire hugs her every curve. Her make-up is done flawlessly, and she looks natural and beautiful. I’ll admit, she looks stunning, but the thought of her with a messy bun, reindeer pajama pants, and snow boots gets my heart thumping.

$2,000!” Amanda says.

Bailey’s mom and dad stand behind her, as do her three girls. “$2,500!” her mom shouts.

Amanda doesn’t relent. $3,500! Bailey, you had your chance with Finn. Now it’s my turn!” she screeches.

I palm my face as the bidding war continues. When the temperature in the room begins to rise, I get a not-so-bright idea and strip off my jacket. Amanda becomes so flustered she outbids herself and shouts, $4,000!”

Bailey’s face falls, the price becoming too rich for her blood. Chief Zimmerman leans over toward Bailey and whispers in her ear. She whispers something back, and he smiles, giving her a gentle squeeze. “$4,500!” he shouts.

The Emcee sputters. “Um, Chief, you can’t date your own crew. It’s against policy.”

Zimmerman laughs. “I’m helping out true love. I don’t plan on kissing anyone other than my wife tonight!”

Amanda scowls. “$6,000! First, you got Finn, but then you got Daniel. Why do you get all the good men in this town?!”

One of our other probies yells from the back of the crowd, “I’m available for free Amanda! Go out with me!”

Daniel comes up behind Bailey and joins everyone else who is supporting this bidding war. He smiles at me. He wraps his arms around his daughters, and I feel my jealousy spike until he stands up straighter and says, $10,000!”

The Emcee sputters. “Um. Uh. I know Finn is hot, but is he really that hot?”

Daniel laughs. “You can’t put a price on true love!” Then he realizes what he’s said and amends, “True love between Bailey and Finn! Not Finn and me!”

Amanda realizes that the whole town will rally behind Bailey, but she gives it one last go. $10,500!”

I pull out my phone and check the balance in my savings account as the Emcee says, “10,500 going once!”

“Two seconds!” I shout as my account begins to load.

“Going twice!”

I look at her with mock contempt. “Two seconds!

And…

$10, 672!” I shout. “Amanda, you’re a sweet lady, but that woman right there is my future,” I say, pointing to Bailey.

The Emcee pulls the mike away from her mouth and whispers, “You can’t bid on yourself, Finn.”

I take the mike from her hand and say, “If I have my way, it’s going to end up being a joint account anyway!”

The crowd whoops and hollers as I hand the microphone back to the Emcee and jump on the floor. The crowd parts like we’re in a 1980’s John Hughes film. Bailey walks toward me as I walk toward her, and we meet in the middle.

“Sold!” The Emcee shouts as if I have given her any choice.

The spotlight shines down on us, and I block my eyes from the brightness. “Sorry, Finn,” the guy says, dimming the light but not taking it off us.

I cup Bailey’s cheek. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming and that I really did spend ten grand so that I can kiss you.”

“I don’t have a penny to my name at the moment, but I would have taken out a second mortgage for a second chance with you, Finn. You’re worth it.”

I draw Bailey close and lean down to press my lips against hers. Her lips part, inviting me in. I’m not one to decline an invitation and readily accept.

“It’s not the New Year yet! Save it for three hours, 47 minutes, and 12 seconds from now. Eleven! Ten,” someone yells.

Then another person chides, “The countdown doesn’t begin until ten seconds until New Year, Earl!”

The world fades around me as I peck and nip at Bailey’s plump lips. “Does this mean you don’t want to be friends?” I tease her.

She wraps her arms around me and nuzzles my neck. She whispers in my ear, “I want to be friends, Finn. But I also want so much more.”

Ava runs up to us along with the rest of our family and shouts, “Group hug!”

I smile because I wouldn’t have it any other way.