Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Nothing to discuss,” she says with a pointed look. “You’re going back to school.”
I change the subject, looking at Cooper who’s bouncing in his seat. “How about you go next, buddy.”
Cooper unwraps his presents with the vigor of a velociraptor tearing into raw meat. Paper goes flying everywhere and he hoots and hollers with each new revelation. While not something he would have asked for, his eyes sparkle over the massive science kit Farren gave him, and as expected, the video games from me and Mom spurred warm hugs. It’s when he opens the box from Rafferty—the Nikes he wanted but I couldn’t afford—that I have a whole new appreciation for the man’s thoughtfulness.
Farren and I exchange gifts next. She gives me a quirky set of earrings that are so perfectly my style it’s uncanny. I give her a scarf done in vibrant colors that match her spicy personality.
And then suddenly it’s my turn to exchange gifts with Rafferty and a wave of awkwardness comes over me. I know him, but I don’t, and I found it too difficult to buy a typical present like a wallet or cologne. Besides, that seemed a little too impersonal, so I hold my breath as he unwraps my gift.
His beautiful mouth splits into an even more beautiful smile as he studies the framed photo. My mom can’t quite see but she’s curious, so I provide, “It’s a picture of us taken at Stone and Harlow’s wedding.”
“It’s the only photo of us,” Rafferty says, his eyes coming to mine. “We need to take more.”
A tingle goes up my spine at the quiet reserve in his tone. The assuredness that there will be many more opportunities. I swallow hard and nod.
“I love it,” he says, leaning over and giving me a quick kiss.
My eyes cut quickly to Cooper who’s ignoring us, instead reading the instructions from the science kit. My mom’s eyes shine with amusement. Farren’s looking at me like, “Yasss, girl.”
“I got something for you too,” Rafferty says, and I blink, my attention going back to him. He’s holding out a small square box only a few inches deep wrapped in red foil paper with a white satin bow.
I take it, giving him a soft smile. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me until you open it and we see if you like it,” he teases.
“I’m sure I’ll love it.”
And boy, do I love it.
Inside I find a delicate diamond bracelet twinkling at me. “Oh wow,” I murmur.
Rafferty takes it out of the box and affixes it around my wrist. I hold it up, watching the colored lights from the tree reflect in the facets. “It’s beautiful.” My eyes meet his. “Truly… I’ve never had jewelry like this.”
I’ve never had much in the way of jewelry ever. A few pairs of earrings I bought with my own money and a locket my mom handed down to me from her mom.
“It looks good on you,” Rafferty says.
And there’s no way to answer that other than by putting my arms around him and hugging him hard. “You’re the better Christmas present,” I murmur so only he can hear. His arms tighten around me, nearly cutting off my breath.
“Can we go play in the snow?” Cooper asks, and reluctantly, I draw back from Rafferty’s embrace.
“Do you want to build a snowman?” Rafferty sings and my head whips his way, jaw dropping.
“What?” he asks innocently. “A man can’t appreciate the movie Frozen?”
“You’re like a freaking onion,” I say in awe. “Layers upon layers.”
“Let’s go,” Cooper exclaims, heading for the door.
“Don’t forget your hat and mittens,” my mom calls out.
I stand up from the couch, Rafferty following. I ask my mom, “Will you be okay by yourself for a few minutes?”
“You kids go have fun,” she says, reaching for one of her new cookbooks. “I’m going to plan out the first meal I’ll make once I get out of that dumb wheelchair.”
I go to my mom’s side, kiss her cheek, and then we all bundle up. The cold air nips at my cheeks as we step outside, but the excitement of building a snowman with Cooper quickly warms me up. Rafferty, Farren and I follow Cooper into the thick blanket of snow covering our backyard. The fresh powder clings perfectly while fat flakes drop lazily from the sky. The yard is aglow with the lights from the neighbors on both sides who go all out in decorating their houses.
“Okay, team, let’s make this the biggest snowman this yard has ever seen!” Rafferty declares with a mock serious tone, directing operations like a seasoned general.
Cooper leads the charge, his enthusiasm infectious as he pushes a small snowball until it grows larger with every roll. “Tempe, you gotta help me push,” he calls out, struggling with the now massive base of our snowman.
Together, we heave the heavy snowball into place. Rafferty and Farren work on the middle section, their teamwork seamless, while I start shaping the head. The air is filled with our laughter as we joke around, the soft snow crunching under our boots.