Wrapped in Winter (Seasons in Montana: Winter)

16. Drake

Chapter 16

Drake

W e ate, had cake, played a few games, and now, before Lily bursts, we’re opening presents.

“Uncle Lief! Where’s your present?”

“Present? I didn’t know I was supposed to bring a present.”

Lily stands in front of him, fury written all over her face. “You have to bring a present.”

“Lily!” January chastises her, and she turns to face her mom with her hands on her hips.

“What? He’s at a birthday party. That’s what you do!”

Everyone laughs at her dramatics, and January just shakes her head. “She never asks for anything, so I’m not sure where this need for presents is coming from today.”

“Birthdays are special and only happen once a year; let her be the queen today,” I say.

“Lief, stop teasing her before she blows a gasket,” Meadow says.

He chuckles and pulls a bag out from next to the couch, and she dives in.

“So this is new,” Jack says as she wedges himself between January and I on the couch.

“Why are you here again?” January asks with a faux-perturbed tone that’s obviously only meant to give him a hard time.

“My wife is your best friend, and I'm part of the package now.” January rolls her eyes at his exaggeration of the word wife.

“You’re lucky she kept you,” she says.

“Don’t I know it,” he replies dreamily before clapping his hands. “But I'm more interested in this situation.” He waves his hands between us three.

“The only situation is that you’re intruding,” Courtney tells him, grabbing his ear and pulling him to stand.

I laugh. “The ear pull. I’ll keep that in mind.”

As Lily moves on to the next present, their mom comes in from the kitchen and says, “So, Drake, I don’t think we’ve officially been introduced.” She steps over to me, and I stand from the couch, quickly extending my hand to her. “Please call me Hope. I heard you’re our new delivery person?”

I smile at her. “Yes, ma’am.” She clears her throat and raises a brow, and I chuckle. “Yes, Hope. I’ve been with the company for just about three months now.”

“He comes to the store to bang around in the bathroom!” Lily calls out before digging back into her gift, and the room falls silent.

All eyes fall on January. Then to me. But Meadow sits with a Cheshire-cat grin, and I see January give her a dirty look. Through gritted teeth she says, “I told you she repeats everything.” Meadow waves her hand in dismissal, and little laughs come from around the room. “You are so completely mortifying.”

Meadow barks a laugh. “Come on, Lily, tell us something we don’t know!”

“Meadow!”

I laugh beside her. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not!” she cries.

Their mom clears her throat. “So, the shop. Are my girls running you ragged with all the shipments?”

“Not at all. That's my job. It doesn't matter how many shipments come through.”

“You’re also new to Montana, right? I think Blossom said you came from the South?”

“Yes, I’m originally from Florida. My parents still live there.”

“Are you planning on staying?” Lief asks.

“Lief!” January hisses out his name.

“What? I’m allowed to ask questions too,” he challenges her.

I place my hand on January’s arm. “I plan on staying. Cole and I needed a change from where we were, and we drove until we couldn’t anymore. I like to say Wintervale found us.”

“Wintervale is a wonderful place to make home.”

“I’ve noticed.”

I also notice the glances from the girls around the room to January and myself. She shuffles in her seat, and though I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable, I’m glad she’s feeling something. The more time I spend with all of them, the more I really am falling for this small town.

And January.

And Lily.

I know she’s concerned about my age, but I don’t see myself as young. The experiences of my life made me grow up faster than a kid should, just like hers did. I don't want to overstep, but I know I could take care of both of them.

“Drake! Where’s your present?” Lily asks.

“Right here, Pretty Lily.” I slide a bag over to her, and she begins to pull out the wrapped items.

“You didn’t have to do that, you know.”

“Of course I did. Birthday girls deserve all the gifts.” I widen my legs, brushing against her thigh and throwing my arm along the back of the couch, but not before brushing across her neck. She shivers and I smile.

After seeing Lily pull her gifts from the bag, January leans into me. “You’re spoiling her.”

I wave my hand. “They’re from Cole and me. And you can never be spoiled enough on your birthday.”

Lily squeals over a Barbie she opens and I ask, “Who bought these gifts?”

I turn to her with a grin. “I did. And it was quite amusing to check out with a bunch of girl toys at the store in town. I can’t wait to hear the gossip on that.” I laugh and January rolls her eyes. “Maybe next time, you can come with me, and we’ll pick out a toy for you.”

A blush forms on her neck and cheeks, and I chuckle as she glances around at everyone in the room, hoping they aren’t hearing us. I settle back into the couch and take in the room, enjoying this newfound family.

“I have one last present for you.”

Everyone left about an hour ago, and I stayed to help January clean up. Today felt really good, and I was happy to be here sharing the day with all of them. Of course, I got some ribbing from Lief, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from an older brother. It’s what I would have done for my sister too.

I hand the small box over to Lily, and January sits down beside her. She tears it open and takes out the contents. “Momma, look! It’s my name!” She holds up a picture frame shaped like a pink lily with her name in script under it.

January lets out a breath. “That's gorgeous. Where did you get that?”

“It was my sister’s.”

Her eyes get wide, and she shakes her head. “No, Drake, we can’t accept that.”

“Momma, can we hang it on my wall?”

“No, baby, tha?—”

“Of course you can. It’s a gift, January. It’s hers to do with as she pleases.”

“No. It’s too much.”

“It’s not. I’ve never met another Lily. This seems fitting.”

“Thank you!” Lily jumps from the couch and hugs me, and it feels right. Everything about this home feels right. She runs to her room, and I move to her spot on the couch beside January.

“Hey,” I gently nudge her, “I wanted to do that.”

She won’t look at me, just wrings her hands and looks down. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Truth, I always want the truth.”

She shakes her head. “I’m just feeling a lot. It’s one thing to try to meet and date someone but it’s another, to have to navigate it with my daughter too.” She looks up at me. “I can take the hurt but she can’t. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I nod. “I do. And I know this is new between us, but I’m not looking to hurt her. Or you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She watches me, eyes shining and so full of questions, full of fear. I can see it written all over her face. And all I can do is keep reassuring her. Keep showing up, and one day she’ll know I mean it.