“Sure, but who’s the guest?” I tried to think about who in the family liked red wine.
“Eden, stop arguing and just go put this out there. We can talk when you get back. I have laundry to fold.” She shoved the bottle in my hands and brushed past me toward the laundry room.
So much for my hot toddy. I placed the mug on the counter, slipped on my sneakers, and crossed the backyard toward the guesthouse. The snow landed on my face, coating my nose and cheeks with big, fluffy flakes. This kind of snow left a velvety blanket wherever it fell.
I always loved spending time in the guesthouse. It was like a retreat away from home. I pushed the door open. The Christmas tree filled the window. Other than the tree and a few flickering candles, the lights were dim. I took a few steps to see what ornaments Mom had used to decorate it with when I noticed the branches were tied with shreds of red and white bandanas. There was a Texas flag, a cowboy boot, a steer, and a metal star mixed in with red and white balls. What?
I turned to see the mantle below the television was lined with cinnamon candles, and there was Christmas music playing low on the stereo. I turned on my heels toward the kitchenette. I opened the refrigerator. It was fully stocked: bottled water, cheese, milk, sodas, and beer.
My senses were way ahead of my brain. I knew what all of this looked, smelled, and sounded like, but it couldn’t be possible. Grey was in South Padre. He was probably sitting on the deck drinking a beer or watching a football game like my dad. He wasn’t here.
“Darlin’? Did I find the right place?”
I whipped around at the sound of his voice.
“Oh my God. What? How?” I ran across the room and jumped in his arms. I didn’t really care what the answers were. The only thing that mattered was that Grey was here.
His lips seared mine. I didn’t care that we left the door open and that snow was swirling into the living room, or that my parents were just a few paces away. Grey was here. He staggered into the living room, clutching my back. His lips moved across mine with the kind of fever that melted all the sadness I had felt since we said good-bye at the airport. As my breath quickened, my hands slid against his neck, pulling him tighter against me.
“I missed you, baby.” He smiled.
“I-I can’t believe you’re here.” My feet landed on the floor, and I leaned against the counter to regain control of my heartbeat.
“If this is the one thing you wanted for Christmas, I couldn’t stay home, could I?” I loved how his eyes twinkled in the dim lights of the guesthouse. I loved everything about him.
“My parents? Did you meet them?”
“Yes. Your mom pointed me to the guesthouse. She knew I was coming. I called her this morning.”
“You did?” I stared at him in disbelief. “You talked to my mom on the phone?”
“You have that list of numbers on the fridge. I couldn’t just fly in and not get their permission. She seemed excited about it.” He stepped closer, wrapping his hands around my waist. “What about you? Are you excited?”
I was never big on surprises. I didn’t like surprise parties or having to wait weeks to find out some great secret. But this. This kind of surprise was the ultimate Christmas gift.
“I’ve never been more excited.” I tugged on the front of his jacket until his lips were a breath away. “Want to see the bedroom?” I winked.
Grey laughed. “I do, but I think we’re expected at the house for drinks.” He nodded in the direction of the main house.
“Drinks?”
“Your mom and dad want us to have a drink with them. I told them I’d bring you right back with me.”
My shoulders slumped. “Now? Can’t we have coffee in the morning?” All I could think about was shredding every piece of his clothing and showing him how much I missed him.
“Since I’m crashing your family Christmas, I’m not about to start off on the wrong foot.” He tugged on my hand. “Let’s get going.”
“But—” I couldn’t argue with his logic, but logic had nothing to do with how I was feeling. My Christmas wish was standing in front of me. All towering six plus feet of him. Spending time with my parents right now was the last thing on my mind.
Grey brought my palm to his lips and kissed it. “Darlin’, one drink, and then we have the rest of the night together.” He winked, and I felt a bolt of heat shoot down my spine.
“One drink,” I whispered.
It was a little unusual that this was the first time Grey would spend any time with my parents. Our relationship had never been labeled conventional though, so I guess it was fitting.
“Mr. Brady, thank you for having me on such short notice.” Grey accepted a bourbon and Coke from my father.
“Of course, son. I think you just made Eden’s Christmas a little brighter.” My father smiled at me.
My mother entered the room with two glasses of wine. “Here you go, honey.”