Chapter 21
21
Christmas Eve, High Water ranch
“ M ove it a little further to the right. There, perfect.” Pamela Sorenson smiled at Jake as he stepped back from the hanger on the wall that displayed six oversized Christmas stockings. “Now I need your help wrapping presents. Petra said all the packages I sent ahead are in the artists’ studio, so if you and I go out there now, we’ll have it done in no time.”
Jake looked toward Petra as if hoping for her help.
Nope. Petra had other things to do, and having other people around to occupy her mother and father would make her task that much easier.
In the kitchen area, Zachary Sorenson was decorating an enormous cake with Jinx. They had numerous bags of buttercream on the counter, each with a different tip. Zachary was very carefully going through and showing Jinx how to create different kinds of flowers and rosettes, the oldest in the room and the youngest firmly focused on their task.
It wasn’t Petra’s typical holiday getaway—the Sorenson family usually met in Hawaii for a break in the sun and sand—but she had bowed out of the trip well before her birthday. She hadn’t been about to leave Jinx during her first Christmas at High Water.
Then, with things better than right between her and Aiden, staying in Heart Falls seemed even more important. Finding out that Julia and Zach had also changed plans to stick around had made Petra teary. When her parents had outright invited themselves to High Water, their support and love had been the sweetest icing on the cake.
Next year would be soon enough to head back to the island. Maybe she and Aiden could take Jinx with them.
Declan marched in, a box of brightly wrapped presents in his hands. He paused en route to the tree and leaned in to mutter quietly. “Your parents are— How do I say this?”
“A force of nature?” Petra suggested.
He grinned. “Not the direction I was going for, but it fits. It also seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I’m glad they could join us for the holidays.”
“Me too,” Petra said quietly, staring at her father then out the window where her mother chattered nonstop to Jake as they headed across to the studio. “I mean, they partly came to see Zach and Julia since she’s building that baby over the coming year, but it’s kind of nice to know my folks feel comfortable at High Water.”
Declan leaned closer. “Don’t kid yourself. They’re here for you just as much as they are for your brother and that coming baby. They’re good folks. They are a touch nosy, though. That’s all I’m saying.”
Petra pinched the bridge of her nose. “Did my mother give you a lecture about safe sex and the best ways you could find a future partner who will remain sexually compatible with you into your golden years?”
His eyes widened. “Not yet, but I suppose that’s something to not look forward to.”
They might be family, but they were a lot at times.
Petra took a deep breath and enjoyed the scent of cinnamon and orange peel that lingered on the air. Jake had cooked last night, which meant he mysteriously brought food to the table that she still suspected he’d purchased from Tansy, but at this point Petra didn’t care. There’d been some kind of Peking duck along with spring rolls that were crisp and delicious.
Tonight, though, she and Aiden had been in charge and they’d gone traditional. They had cooked up a ham and mashed potatoes and green beans and a few Ukrainian dishes thrown in for good measure because it wouldn’t be Christmas for her without perogies and kielbasa.
Most of the food was already in the oven, so other than putting together a salad at the final moment, no more fussing was required.
Which meant she had time to finish the one project that still needed a little work. She slipped into their bedroom, heading for the corner where Aiden had placed a comfortable loveseat. It was small enough to fit in the sunny corner beside the window, and since her birthday, they’d made sure to take time every day to sit there for a little while together. Sometimes in the morning, sometimes after they’d finished the family time. But with so many adults around all the time, they brainstormed to come up with this so they’d have a chance to keep talking about them .
To keep learning more and keep falling deeper in love.
Of course, with the surprise she’d put together, it wouldn’t be too much longer that they’d need to use this cozy corner. Petra sat on her side of the loveseat, curling her legs under her and picking up the final project she needed to complete. She had all her Christmas presents done for the High Water family, and a toque and mitt set for Sasha Stone that she had helped Jinx with.
She just wasn’t quite done with the set of slippers she was making for her father, and she got her needle to work as she stared out the window, contentment washing over her.
The door eased open, and Aiden’s bright smile appeared around the edge. “I wondered if I’d find you here.”
She patted the seat beside her. “It’s as good of a place as any to hide so my mother can’t request I dress up like an elf or something.”
He laughed, detouring to the side of the bed before joining her. He put a small, brightly coloured bag down by his feet then draped her legs across his lap. “There we go. Much better.”
“Are you done with all of your cowboy things for the day?” she asked.
“Until evening chores, yes. Which means I get to relax and eat lots of food and enjoy our gift opening tonight.”
Petra eyed the bag beside the couch. “Last minute item to toss under the tree?”
“Definitely not last minute, and not something I think I should put under the tree.” He eased his hand down her thigh and over the arch of her foot, petting her the way that he always did when they were together. He touched as always, brushing his hands over her and making her feel as if being right beside her was the most important thing in his world.
She twisted on the spot, curled her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Because she could. Because she wanted to, even needed to.
The craving for him kept growing bigger and bigger.
He kissed her back with heat, but controlled enough that when he pulled them apart only a minute later, she sighed happily.
“I like you, Aiden Skye.”
“I know.” He winked, cupping her chin in his hands and brushing their lips together again. “I like you too, Petra Sorenson.”
“That’s good.”
It was his turn to snicker.
She glanced down again because she couldn’t help herself. “You going to tell me what’s in the bag?”
“I’d like to know how you feel about early Christmas presents.”
“I highly approve of them,” she assured him. “Especially when they’re for me.”
He eased back far enough to pick up the package, holding it just out of reach. His expression turned serious and he took a big breath before speaking again. “Remember we promised to keep talking, so if I screwed this up, you let me know. I won’t be hurt.”
“Now I don’t know if I want to open it,” Petra said quietly.
“Oh, you want to open it,” he assured her. “Here.”
He all but shoved the bag into her hands.
She leaned back on the high armrest, examining him for a moment before peeking inside.
At the top, once again, was a tissue wrapped candle.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” she teased, pulling it from the bag and ripping away the tissue.
The label said Smells Like The Best Husband In The World .
“Aww, that’s so cute.” Happiness swelled up inside. They were going to do this thing. Be engaged. Be together, eventually as husband and wife. “Am I supposed to light this when you’ve done something good?”
“That’s a plan. You can also light it when I screw up to remind yourself that I’m not terrible all the time.” He tipped his head toward the bag. “You didn’t finish.”
She put the candle on the side table next to her teacup and peeked back into the bag. A small notebook with a picture of a sunset on the front cover lay at the bottom. She laid it in her palm. “It’s pretty.”
He nudged her elbow. He was fidgeting so much it was like he had ants in his pants. “Open it.”
“Did you write me a poem? A dirty limerick—” Petra stalled. The very center of the notebook had been cut away leaving a square barely big enough to hold a ring. “Oh my God.”
She carefully lifted out the ring and turned the shining top toward her. It was a small cluster of white and blue stones, and it flashed in the sunlight shining through the window.
Petra lifted her eyes to Aiden’s. “It’s beautiful.”
His expression went back to a smile. “I didn’t screw up?”
She shook her head, slipping the ring on her finger. Holding her hand up to admire it. “It’s exactly what I wanted.” She considered. “How did you get that so perfect?”
“Your mom,” he admitted. “We’ve been texting ever since your birthday, and at one point she sent me some of the pictures that you’d scrapbooked back in the day.”
He linked their fingers together, pressing a kiss to her hand just above where the shiny ring sat.
“I’m glad you get along with my family, and I’m glad you’re brave enough to put up with them on a regular basis,” she teased, happiness still bubbling inside her.
“They’re good people. Other than I’ve had to veer the topic away from some blunt conversations about sex at times. Your mother is determined.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Petra said with a smile, pressing her hand his cheek.
“Your dad said something about thank God you were the last to get hitched, because each of you got more twisted and creative. I do need to hear what happened with Julia and Zach.”
“We’ll make sure that happens when we go over tomorrow to spend the day with them. I bet they’d love to tell you the story.” She curled herself around him, her cup of happiness nearly full to the brim. “Thank you for my ring.”
His face turned suddenly serious for a moment. “I figured it was something we needed. We didn’t have one before because we were pretending. But we’re not pretending anymore. I love you with everything in me, no matter how quick it seems.”
“I love you too.” Her throat was tightening, and tears were threatening to well up, which was silly considering how happy she was. “You want to see the surprise Christmas present I got you?”
His gaze dropped to the buttons on her shirt as he undid the first snap. “It’s exactly what I want.”
She tugged his hands away with a laugh, crawling off the couch and pulling him with her. “It’s not here, although you can totally have that later. Come on. I can’t wait to show you.”
Aiden was sure he was grinning from ear to ear. Every time Petra or one of her gal gang grabbed hold and towed him somewhere, it was amusing as hell.
They made it across the living room before catching the attention of Kevin and Declan who sat by the fire.
“Going somewhere?” Declan asked.
“Nothing to see here,” Aiden said.
“I’m showing Aiden his surprise,” Petra announced over top of him. She squeezed his fingers. “Everybody’s welcome.”
“Sweet.” Jinx headed for the door. She paused then dashed back and grabbed Zachary by the wrist, tugging him along the same way Petra was hauling Aiden. “Come on, Grandpa Zach. You don’t want to miss this.”
Yep, totally amusing. Aiden exchanged a smile with his soon-to-be father-in-law then obediently switched his footwear and jerked on his winter coat, stepping into the crisp December day.
Sun sparkled off a million snowflakes, the fields around them stretching pristine and white with the new snow that had been drifting from the sky since the previous evening. The paths to the artists’ studio were well defined, but it was cold enough that with each step of their winter boots, the new snow squeaked underfoot. Each inhale stabbed sharp and crisp against the back of his throat.
By the time they arrived at the base of the staircase, they had a parade following them. Jake and Pamela marched down the stairs, Pamela waving excitedly.
“Is it time?”
“It is,” Petra announced happily. She tugged Aiden to a stop and fully faced him. “This is a Christmas present partly from me, but mostly from your family. To both of us,” she added before blowing a kiss at Declan and Jake.
Jinx was there, bouncing on the spot. “Can I show him?” she asked eagerly.
It seemed everybody was in on the surprise except him. Minor miracle considering how closely everybody had worked together over the past weeks.
“It’s okay with me,” Aiden offered. “As long as I get to see it soon, because the suspense is killing me.”
Jinx hurried past them to the end of the building and the farthest door.
The door to his future mini suite. The one where they’d started their fight and set off a whole chain of events that changed his world completely.
Petra slipped her hands around Aiden’s arm and slowed their pace, head leaning in to speak privately. “Again, if there something you don’t like about it, it can be changed. But I’m pleased, and I think you will be too.”
Jinx pushed the door open and stood back, grinning as she continued to bounce. Behind them, everyone seemed to slow enough that when they stepped through the doorway, it was him and Petra alone.
He’d thought maybe the painting would be done. Maybe the window trim and baseboards would be up, but what he saw in front of him was a completely furnished home.
With windows to the south and east, the living room and kitchen were small but perfectly sized for a couple in love. A small table with four chairs around it was arranged next to a couch that faced a big-screen TV. Tucked in the corner between the windows was a loveseat—identical to the one currently in their bedroom, with side tables and lights and a view over the prairies.
“How did you do this?” Aiden asked in amazement. He kicked off his shoes without thinking, pacing forward over hardwood flooring and soft area rugs.
“You’ve been preoccupied planning with Jake and helping with the ranch hand quarters. Every time you worked on that, we worked in here,” Petra shared, love in her voice.
He ran a hand over the small island and admired the very basic kitchen. “You did a fantastic job.”
She joined him, slipping their fingers together. “We don’t need much of a kitchen or dining room because this is mostly for when we want to do things by ourselves. Or maybe have Jinx over, or a couple at our place for cards. But we’ll be doing most of that at the ranch house. This is our place.”
Everyone crowded in the door and stood watching.
It suddenly hit. Aiden glanced at the three inside doors. “How is there so much room in here?” He paced toward the most northernly door and peeked in to find a sparsely decorated office space. “This was supposed to be the bedroom.”
Declan cleared his throat. “Always good to change plans when it’s necessary. I don’t need that much room and there are two of you. We punched down one wall and put it up a little farther to the north.”
“With an extra sound barrier built in.” Jake offered dryly. “So you can have loud discussions if necessary.”
Aiden laughed, and he hurried to the second door, poking his head into a Jack and Jill bathroom. One door off the living room and one door that looked as if it led into a second bedroom.
“If we have guests, then we share the bath. Otherwise we can lock this one.” Petra came to his side and pointed at the south wall. Instead of being solid, a windowpane partially covered with a stained-glass image let natural light into the windowless bathroom. “Jinx came up with that idea.”
Aiden whistled in admiration then turned back and offered Jinx a thumbs-up. “I like it. Good job.”
He let his curiosity carry him into the bedroom. It was perfect, this place for him and Petra, with a dark brown quilt on the queen-size bed and a board over the bed with the handwritten saying, Family is forever .
He turned, grabbed Petra, and pulled her back into the living room, shaking his head as he met every one of his family’s eyes one after the other. “This is fantastic. Thank you. I never expected this in a million years.” He twisted to Petra. “And you. Holy secrets.”
She grinned. “You like it?”
He shook his head. “No, I love it.”
She wiggled nearly as hard as Jinx. “One more thing.”
She tugged him to the wall beside the front door where a collection of eight by eight pictures were arranged neatly in exact rows. Aiden suspected that was Jake’s handiwork.
Then he looked a little closer, because it wasn’t only the straight-as-a-ruler frames that impressed him—it was the pictures. One of each of his brothers. A smiling picture of Jinx. There was one of Kevin, and one of Dixie with her tongue hanging out—that one made him laugh—then more pictures of familiar faces from the past months and straight from memory.
Sydney. Tansy. Zach and Julia, Caleb and Tamara. Chance and Rose. People they were getting to know better. People who were making a difference in his life.
The image in the center was him and Petra, and he squeezed her happily as he admired how good they looked together.
When he hit the picture in the upper right corner that held his mom and Jeff, arms wrapped around each other and their heads thrown back with laughter, Aiden turned to Petra and pulled her in for a hug. Mostly so he could bury his face in her neck and try to get a hold of himself.
She squeezed him close, and he stood there, letting happiness leak through his eyes.
When he finally got himself together, wiping at his face with his knuckles, they were alone. Out the window, the High Water family walked together, snow gently falling around them.
“I would say that was awkward, but it wasn’t really, was it?” He brushed his nose against Petra’s.
“It was not awkward. It was beautiful, to be honest.” She slid her thumb over his cheek. “What was the part that got to you the most?”
“That we’re doing it.” He said it softly as he tilted his head toward the wall. “We promised that we’d make a difference. That we would pay it forward, and we’re doing it. I know we’ve still got a long way to go, and there are going to be hard times mixed in with the good. But here’s the thing I didn’t realize.” He smiled, taking her hand and brushing his thumb over the spot where his ring sat. “I never realized exactly how much this was going to change my life. I kept thinking about how good it would be to give to others, to change their worlds. I feel as if I’ve gotten far more than I deserve.”
“I’m glad you’re happy, but I think you deserve it.”
“I’m hanging onto it, no matter what.” He tipped his chin toward the picture of his mom and dad. “They didn’t raise a fool. I’m holding on with both hands. That means to you, Petra. Thanks for being willing to build a home with me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed so tight he had to pick her up and spin her in a circle, just because.
They headed outside, eager to rejoin the rest of the family. Aiden held her hand tightly in his as they walked, “We’re not going to move into our new room yet, though, right? I don’t want to leave Jinx all alone in the big house by herself.”
“Soon,” she said, mischief dancing in her eyes. “Declan and I have a plan.”
Aiden shook his head. “Why do I get the feeling that means Jake isn’t going to like this plan?”
Petra’s jaw dropped. “Wow, you’re good. Now stay quiet.” She pressed a finger to her lips.
“I have no idea what’s going on, so trust me. That’ll be easy.” Aiden curled his arm around her and tucked her close as they neared where the family were now engaged in an impromptu snowball fight. “The only thing that we need to do right now is discuss dates.”
Petra hummed, laughing as Jinx’s well-aimed snowball knocked Jake’s toque off. “What date is that?”
Aiden tapped on Petra’s ring finger. With the sun shining down on them, her eyes sparkled as much as the ring did. “We need to set a date for the wedding so that you can officially become this cowboy’s bride.”