Finding Me in the Storm (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

Chapter Twenty

Nate

“So, what do you think?” I ask as I spin in circles in the small two-bedroom little cabin.

“How did you know about this place so fast?” Elaina questions. “I told you I was staying less than sixteen hours ago, and now you found me a house. This cabin is also less than half a mile from your family vacation spot. I mean, we are going to be neighbors. I’m not sure if that is a good idea.”

“Already having second thoughts?” I question as I cock my head to the side to squint at her. “I bet I can call Derek and ensure he locks you tighter into a contract should I need to play that card. I’m keeping you here no matter what, and on the first trip abroad, I’m playing bodyguard.”

Elaina laughs at me as she wanders into the small kitchen space. She opens the fridge and then the cabinet. The woman is beautiful with her professional makeup; her hair looks all in place. Elaina saw her first client today, which I thought was super-fast, but Derek assured her it was just a dry run. He wanted to be sure she knew what she was getting into before signing the contract. She had on a cashmere sweater, slacks, and boots, and she looked like a million dollars.

“I think this would work nicely,” she remarks. “I guess I can snowboard over or hike for Christmas dinner.”

“How do you know you are invited? I mean, I might want a little time without you,” I grumble, of course not in the least believing any of the words I just spoke.

“Well, even if you decide that a full-time girlfriend is not your cup of tea, I’m pretty sure your sister will invite me. I don’t think you were honest with yourself about how outnumbered you are going to be the second your family finds out about us dating. Your mother adores me, Luna probably would pick me in a fight, and I am just competitive enough in chess to keep your dad on my side,” I tell him with a cocky bobble of my head.

“You are right; I didn’t think through all the ramifications,” I tell her as I circle her waist and draw her close. “I guess I will just have to be kind and keep you around.”

I lower my head to kiss her. I’ve never been this happy in my adult life. Imagining kissing and being able to hold hands as Elaina’s newly minted boyfriend is one thing. The reality is so much sweeter.

“Ewwww, are you kidding,” Luna’s voice cuts into our little moment as I pivot toward the sound.

“What are you doing here?” Elaina flies past me to embrace my sister.

It’s obvious from her happy, jumping state she didn’t know that my sister was inbound to visit us. I am shocked, but after our conversation, I probably should have expected her to take things into her hands again. The woman simply couldn’t help herself, as she seemed determined to bring Elaina and me together.

“I was worried my big brother would bumble the play and never tell you how he felt,” Luna tells Elaina. “So, I hopped on the first flight I could, to be sure you didn’t do anything drastic before he made his case. I guess you both were a few steps ahead of me and are dating?”

Her raised eyebrow makes it both a statement and a question somehow. I walk over to hug my sister close. “Good to see you. Yes, I took your advice, and we are dating. How did you know where to find us?”

“Actually, the cab was passing by on the way to the cabin, and I saw your truck,” she says. “I should probably go get my suitcase from the cab, though, and let the man go on his way.”

“We were just checking out Elaina’s new digs,” I tell her. “We can head to the cabin and get caught up.”

“I didn’t see that coming,” I whisper to Elaina as Luna bounces out of the house ahead of us. “You know she is going to interrogate us like a trained professional. Then we are going to hear how right she is about all of this for the rest of our lives.”

“You are probably right,” Elaina says as she gazes up at me. “I’m good with it, though. She was right, and her forcing me to come up here to the resort changed my entire life for the better. I’m so happy I can’t quit smiling, so a little ribbing from my best friend is a small price to pay if you ask me.”

“True,” I conclude as I drop a sweet kiss on the end of her nose. “You really are worth whatever Luna wants to tease me about all the rest of my days.”

“Agree,” she says as I kiss her soundly, and we walk out into the cold once again.

I think this is going to be the best Christmas of my life. Luna and Elaina are sure to keep everything ramped-up to make the holidays amazing, busy, and entertaining. Then, fingers crossed, Elaina’s mother and father will join my parents, along with all of us, for the festivities. We will begin new traditions and start building a new life. I have an idea of what that might look like, but I’m happy to be on the journey to see just where everything might end up—probably even better than my feeble mind can conjure at this moment.