Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“Wait, you didn’t look at the charm,” he said, turning the bracelet over.
I looked down at the small, silver coin on the other side. I stared at it for a moment, finally understanding. Tears filled my eyes and I looked up at him. “A shot for a secret,” I said.
He nodded. “That’s where it all started.” I stood up and threw my arms around him, kissing his face—his lips, his cheeks, his eyes, his forehead. “I love it. It’s the best present I’ve ever received.”
“Good. I’m glad you like it. I can’t wait to add to it,” he said.
I nodded, sniffling as he fastened it around my wrist.
I kissed him one last time and then said, “I should call my family.”
“Okay. We’ll need to drive into town to get reception. Just pull on some warmer clothes and we’ll make the call from my truck.”
“Okay.” I went back into the bedroom and changed into some warmer clothes and a few minutes later, we were driving into town. I took my phone out of my purse and turned it on, seeing that I had reception. I had checked it the couple times we were in town and I had texted my sisters once to let them know I’d made it to Utah. The only message on it now was a return text from Julia and a voicemail from her number too.
Carson pulled into a parking space on the street and turned to me. “Do you want me to take a walk while you make the call?” he asked.
I smiled but shook my head no. I dialed my dad’s number first and took a deep breath, bouncing my knee as I waited for him to answer.
When I heard his deep bark on the phone, I said softly, “Merry Christmas, Dad,” with a forced smile in my voice.
“Grace?” his voice softened.
“Hi, Dad!” I brightened. “Are you having a nice morning?”
“Well, yeah, darlin’, I am, only I’m kinda missing my oldest girl. It seems she’s run off with some man and left her old dad and her sisters high and dry.”
I took in a deep breath. All my life I’d worked so hard to make my dad proud, and by and large, succeeded. Even when I’d changed plans, I’d sought something socially acceptable to replace it with. But this? Well this was an entirely different beast. For the first time in my life, I’d not only changed plans, I’d done something my dad might have a hard time explaining to his friends. I’d ended my engagement suddenly and unexpectedly and went running off to be with another man.
I glanced over at Carson. He looked nervous as well, staring out the window, his jaw tense as he too bounced his knee. I stilled my own. He was worried that in choosing him, I was going to pay a price with my family. I sat up straighter, my love for him filling me with conviction. I was proud of what I’d done. I hadn’t followed a plan. I’d followed my heart. And dammit, I’d do it again, a thousand times over. “No, Dad,” I said, “you know I’d never leave you high and dry. But it was an emergency situation and I had to act fast. You know how you always taught me to act first and ask questions later? Well, that’s what I did.” Next to me, I saw Carson’s knee stop bouncing too.
There was a beat of silence on the other end of the phone. “Well, I guess I can’t argue with that. You love him, I suppose?”
I exhaled a whoosh of breath. “Yeah, Dad, I do, I love him. And,” I said, “I think you will too.” I glanced over at Carson to see him watching me, his lips tilted in a gentle smile.
“Well, if he’s someone who’s got your love, Gracie, I gotta figure he’s okay. What happened to the one we went to dinner with in Vegas? I forget his name now.”
I laughed, knowing very well he didn’t forget Alex’s name. Or that I was engaged to him. “We were just better off as friends.”
“Well, I guess it’s best that you realized that before the wedding rather than after, so good job there. You saved me a boatload of wasted money.” He paused. “I love you, Gracie.”
“I love you too. Merry Christmas. Did you get the package I shipped?”
“Yup. Just about to rip into it. You’ll have to get your presents at Easter.”
You’re my gift, Dad. You always have been, all my life. “Okay.”
“Okay, Gracie. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas. Bye, Dad.”
I hung up, sniffling and smiling at the same time. Then I texted Julia and Audrey a group text:
Merry Christmas! Miss you! Love you! Group call ASAP next week! Xxoo
I turned off my phone and smiled at Carson, scooting over and snuggling into his side. He hugged me to him.