He nods, a serious expression on his handsome face. “We have the party at the barn on my parents’ property.”
“Jackson…” I say, my eyes wide as I start to shake my head.
“Just hear me out. It’s big enough for everyone, and we’ve got an extra-large hearth in there with plenty of firewood. We’ve got lights and electricity running to it already, so all we’d have to do is get everything moved over and then have Wayne and Mayor Davis spread the word that the location has changed. It’ll solve the problem.”
Pulling my lip between my teeth, I mull it over. I mean, it could work. But I think my parents are going to be extremely unhappy about it being on Pearce land, in the barn where they always host their annual party, instead of somewhere neutral like Town Hall.
It’s already enough that we’re getting our entire families together under one roof. But if we do this… it’ll be a Pearce roof. Hell, they might not even come at that point.
But what other option is there? The barn has everything we need to pull this off if we work quickly. We have absolutely no time to waste.
“Okay. Let’s do it,” I exhale, trying to rein in my rampant emotions. Logically, I know this is the best plan for everyone. “But how are we going to get everything over to the barn on such short notice? I mean… we have so much to do and so little time, Jackson. It’s seriously going to take some kind of Christmas miracle for us to actually be able to make this happen. My perfectly curated plan has fallen apart.”
This time, he chuckles, and I love the way his lip tugs up into a grin, momentarily taking my mind off the fact the entire party is falling apart around us. I wish we could just sneak away back to his house with Marley and Mo, and I could watch them running in the yard in their new sweaters. I decided next I’m going to knit them some adorable little booties for their paws so they don’t get cold when they’re running in the snow.
“Well, that’s why you’ve got me. We’re moving on to plan… C.”
“Was there a plan C until right now?”
“Nope.” He grins. “But if there’s anything I’ve learned since meeting you, it’s that we absolutely need a plan. Especially when it comes to things like this. So now… we’re going with plan C, and it’ll be amazing. I’m going to go make some calls, get my crew up here with the work trucks, get this loaded up, and move locations. I need to give my parents a heads-up too.”
I nod. “Okay, and I’ll talk with the caterer and the band and… call my parents, as well as Wayne and Mayor Davis. They can let all the residents know we’re moving, and then I’ll start packing up all of the decorations and table settings.”
Toeing off my red-soled heels, I lose four inches as my bare feet hit the floor, but I’ve got a thousand things to do and not enough time.
This calls for the big guns.
“Let’s do this, Snowflake.”
“Is she always like this?” Jensen grumbles as he moves the twelve-foot tree a few inches to the left for the… fourth time.
While the Pearce barn has a certain rustic charm to it, I’m still working with far less space than Town Hall, and with the last-minute venue change, I have to put in double the work to make sure this party is everything it should be and more.
Jackson laughs. “Yep.”
“I’m sorry!” I mutter, an apologetic expression on my face. “I think it’s just kind of leaning to the right a little, and the tree is such an important part of the party. It really sets the tone… and my parents will have a fit if it’s not here.”
Jackson’s brother grumbles but moves the tree to the left again, and finally, it sits straight in the perfect position. I hurry over with the box of ornaments and ribbon and start to redecorate it.
Thankfully, a few of Jackson’s siblings and a few of his crew members came to help us put everything back up. If we didn’t have them, there is no possible way we could’ve gotten this done. We have T-minus two hours to make sure everything is done before guests arrive.
“How did Jed take it when you told him about the last-minute change?” Jackson asks as he climbs the ladder to hang another snowflake garland.
“Well, there weren’t any other options. He should’ve replaced the furnace years ago when it needed to be replaced, and we wouldn’t be in this predicament right now. So, he said he would take care of it, and that was that. I think he sent out a text blast, and Wayne is doing house calls for the people who aren’t into technology.”
“Good. Josie said she spread the word to all the teachers at her school, so that probably helped. And… your parents?”
“Uh, they took it as expected. I love my parents with all of my heart, and yes, their approval means a lot to me. It always has. I respect their opinion, but if they decide not to come tonight simply because it’s here, then that would be their loss. I would be hurt because this party is such a special tradition for us, but I also can’t force them to be here when they don’t want to be,” I say, feeling a twinge of disappointment at the thought of my parents not showing up tonight.
Climbing down from the ladder, he takes the ornament I’m holding from my hand and places it on the tree, then pulls me into his arms and kisses me gently. For a second, I forget where we are and who is around us, until I pull back, my eyes wide.
“Jackson…”
“Fuck it. Let them look. You’re mine, Emma, and I want the entire damn world to know it. I’m not hiding the way I feel about you, and if anyone has anything to say about it, then they know exactly where to find me,” he says, a fierce look in his eyes.
My heart feels like it’s in my throat as he speaks. Out of all of the scenarios that I expected to happen when it came to this joint party, falling for Jackson Pearce was not one of them.
And I know that I’m falling for him.
By the way my heart thrashes in my chest every time he smiles. How he acts grumpy when it comes to Mo and Marley but melts like butter anytime they’re around. With how tender and gentle he can be with me but also doesn’t hesitate to call me on the things I’m wrong about.
I’m falling for him, and it’s a scary thought. Not just because of our family’s stupid history but because it feels like I am completely and totally out of control of my feelings.
Being in control, being able to compartmentalize things, it’s how I protect myself, and right now, I feel like I’m bared open wide for him with nothing to protect the most vulnerable part of me: my heart.
“Are you sure?” I say, swallowing the thick ball of emotion at the base of my throat as his arms tighten around me.
“Never been more sure of anything, Emma. What I feel for you is not temporary, and it sure as fuck is not something I’m going to hide.” Leaning down, he brushes his nose against mine as he plants a gentle kiss at the corner of my lip. “Once all of this is over, we can have a bigger conversation about all this, but I need you to know that I’m all in, and I’m not going anywhere.”