Epilogue
Joy
“Merry Christmas.” Burk’s lips press against mine, waking me in the best way possible.
Okay, not completely waking me up, since I’m usually a very early riser. My internal clock woke me at four, but I was able to lie in bed and doze back off for a bit, thanks to being in Burk’s warm embrace.
“Merry Christmas,” I murmur, rolling onto my back and stretching. “Is it time for presents?”
He chuckles and reaches for a steaming coffee mug placed on the nightstand. “It is.”
“But first, coffee,” I practically sing, sighing after taking my first sip.
Burk isn’t a pro but would make a good barista. One of the first things he wanted to do when he moved into this house was learn to make one of my favorite coffee drinks. We started off with a basic coffeepot and eventually moved on to using a milk frother to create delicious lattes.
“Come on, sleepyhead,” he says, pulling the comforter back and taking my mug.
I slide my feet into my favorite slippers and grab my robe.
It’s a big fluffy, warm one with sleeping cats all over it.
I got it from my sister right before her cat, Miss Snowflake, delivered kittens fathered by John’s cat, Biggie.
I reach for my coffee mug and duck into the bathroom. Burk doesn’t say a word as I take a minute to pee and brush my teeth. When I’m finally ready, I slip on my warm robe and open the door to find him waiting for me. “All right, let’s do this, Burkey Turkey.”
He flashes a wide smile and takes my hand.
We settle on the floor in the living room so we’re close to the tree.
It’s lit up and looking magnificent, if I do say so myself, and Burk even has Christmas music playing.
What’s best, the front window shades are open, and you can see the fresh falling snow outside.
It’s so peaceful and beautiful out there, combined with the coziness and familiarity of the holidays in here.
It’s perfect.
“You first,” he says, handing over a small, boxed gift.
I rip off the paper and smile at the bottle of my favorite perfume. “Thank you.”
“Now you,” I state, setting my perfume to the side and reaching for one of his gifts.
Burk dives in, flashing me a grin when he opens a box containing a wood branding iron.
When he pulls it out and sees the inscription, his face turns serious.
“This is amazing,” he informs me, taking in the words.
It says ‘Handcrafted by Burk Whitman, Snowflake Falls, CO’ with an image of his business logo in the middle. “Thank you.”
One night over the summer, he mentioned that he saw one online and thought they were cool. He always marks his pieces, but nothing like this. I found someone to custom make this design, and I’m super happy with how it turned out.
Leaning forward, he presses his lips to mine. “I love it.”
We continue opening our gifts one by one. I get a few new sweaters, some kitchen gadgets I added to my wish list, and even a new pair of ice skates. Burk opened some clothes, more goodies for his home woodworking shop, and a new winter coat for working at the tree farm.
When he gets to his final gift, I start to get a little nervous. I purchased it on a whim, but now that it’s time to give it, I’m not sure what he’ll say.
Burk slowly removes the tissue paper from the bag and reaches inside, removing the folded piece of paper from within. He reads over it before his surprised eyes clash with mine. “Seriously?”
I nod, holding my breath as he glances back down and rereads the information.
Does he not like it?
Did I overstep?
What if he doesn’t want to go?
My heart is hammering in my chest as I wait for his response.