Once Upon a Second Chance (Once Upon a Holiday Story #1)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Aaron

After Daniel’s story it was as if a thread had been created connecting the two of us. We each had struggles in our lives; they just looked different. He’d shared a piece of himself that was a constant ache for him and allowed me to help soothe it. I could easily fall in love with Daniel Laverton…Maybe I already was in love with him.

“Looks amazing!” Hank shouted as the new menorah was hoisted up beside the Christmas tree in the clearing where the festival would take place.

“It does.” Daniel patted him on the shoulder and began helping to situate all the vendor stalls.

“What goes here?” I pointed to a large opening.

“That’s reserved for The Hook’s Traveling Book Nook.” Daniel beamed. “You have no idea what that is, do you?”

I shook my head.

“You’ll see. They bring their own everything when they come here. It’ll be a first, having them for the festival, though.”

I shrugged and went with it. Daniel was excited. The festival was two days away. His family was arriving tomorrow, and I had all the butterflies in the world currently residing in my stomach.

The rest of the day was spent finishing up odds and ends. Lights were strung, wreaths hung—you name it, we did it. There were maybe a few hours left of work but the rest of the committee people would complete it tomorrow. Daniel wanted to be at his house for his family’s arrival. I told him I could still come back here and finish, that he should spend time alone with them.

He wouldn’t hear of it; he was thrilled to introduce me, and again that odd yet warm feeling buzzed inside me. No one was ever excited to do anything with me.

Daniel had given me so much in such a short time. I watched him help someone with the Santa sign, and I smiled. He was probably the best man I’d ever met…No, he was absolutely the best.

Anyone with eyes could see Everlasting Springs was like an appendage for him, that to rip him out of here would be issuing him a death sentence. I tried to picture him traveling the world but couldn’t see it. He was Everlasting Springs.

“Ready to head home?” His cheeks and nose were red and his lips pink. He radiated happiness, and I wanted to kiss him right there in front of everyone. But we hadn’t established anything, and we might never.

After the festival, I’d likely have to go. There weren’t really any jobs here; I’d asked everywhere whenever Daniel was preoccupied with something. I wanted to stay because this town had its hooks in me. But I wasn’t going to live off Daniel, and without steady income I couldn’t call this home.

“Sure.”

Once we arrived at Daniel’s house, he immediately fed a meowing Mayhem and then I helped him cook dinner. It was very domestic, and I loved that regardless of where I landed I’d have these memories to keep me happy no matter what.

“I think maybe it would be better if you have the house for you and your family, Daniel.”

We were sitting at the kitchen table, eating delicious stew, as I dropped that on him. He sighed and returned the fork to his bowl.

“I already told you I want you here. Why are you having such a hard time accepting that?”

“Your family doesn’t know me. Why would they ever have to? Your sister likely won’t be cool with a stranger hanging near her son.”

“What do you mean, ‘Why would they ever have to?’” That seemed to be all Daniel had taken away from what I’d said.

“It’s Christmas for all of you. That’s a time for family and friends. Not strange vagabond men.” I winked, using the words he’d used when we met.

“You don’t think we’re friends?” Again, he was choosing what he wanted to hear.

“Okay, yes, we are friends. But come on, Daniel, it’s a little strange. How would you introduce me to your family? And don’t think your mother won’t see through any lie you tell. Moms have magic that no man can put asunder.”

That earned me a chuckle. “I will tell them you’re a friend who got stuck in the storm, your car was totaled, and I’m helping you get on your feet…which, by the way, my sister was aware of, remember? What makes you think she hasn’t told my mother the story by now?”

He had me there. “I just don’t want to intrude.”

He reached over and took my hands in his. “Let me put it to you this way—I really want you to be here. I’d be upset if you weren’t. If you don’t want to be, I won’t force you, but I’d be really sad if you weren’t.”

“Oh, my God! You’re a manipulative bastard.”

He laughed, kissed my knuckles, and returned to his food. “I’m stubborn.”

“On that we can agree.”

That night I slept in Daniel’s bed, which had become a regular thing the last couple of days. I’d be returning to the guest room once his family arrived, but that didn’t bother me too much.

After Daniel fucked me into the mattress, he pulled me close, my head resting on his chest.

“In the morning, before my family gets here, we can go get your stuff from your car.”

It had taken longer than they’d thought to pull the car out from under the tree, and then they’d needed to pry the frame wider to retrieve my belongings. I didn’t have much but regardless, it was mine, and it would be great to have it again.

“I’d like that.”

And that was exactly what we did. We woke up ridiculously early. Daniel made us some oatmeal—I wasn’t terribly hungry, but he said we needed to put something in our bellies. He was adorable when he demanded I eat or rest or relax. I could easily get used to being cared for.

The mechanic was nice and walked me to where my car and belongings were. The car wasn’t anything special, but it had kept me safe from the elements for a long time. There were a lot of people who would tell me it was stupid to love a car, but she and I had been through a lot, seen so much. She’d listened to me vent, cry, and so much more, while hunkering down in the back seat.

“We’ll give you some time,” Daniel whispered in my ear.

All I could do was nod, afraid if I opened my mouth I’d cry. Soon enough, it was just me and Lucy. I reached out and ran a finger over one of the only smooth spots on her.

“Thank you, Lucy. You were my best friend…my only friend most days.” I pressed my forehead to the cool steel. “I’ll miss you.”

A tear slid along my cheek, which I wiped away quickly so no one could see me crying because my car, my friend, was dead. I turned around and I saw that all my stuff had been folded and sorted nicely. Tote bags were used, and I brought one of my T-shirts to my nose, surprised that it had been washed. These people were something else.

I looked over to where Daniel was talking to a redheaded guy, but his eyes met mine and he winked.

How the hell was I going to be able to leave Everlasting Springs?