Chapter 4
DAWSON
The closer we get, the more nervous I am, but strangely, the more excited I feel too.
I know that sounds wild. It doesn’t even make sense in my own head.
I’ll be lying to people, which I don’t condone, but I tell myself the only thing I’m not being truthful about is the fact that Briar and I aren’t boyfriends who’ve been dating for the last three months. That’s not a big deal…right?
I turn into Bright’s Hollow, and immediately feel a smile pull at my lips. “It looks like a postcard.”
“Or a holiday movie,” Briar adds, and he’s smiling too.
It’s a mountain town in the middle of nowhere, with just one main road passing through, which could get sketchy when there’s a huge storm. It’s the type of place you read about people getting snowed in and trapped in a cabin together.
We’re driving down Main Street now, and there’s greenery everywhere, bookending each strip of buildings.
I can only imagine what it looks like in the fall when the leaves are all bright orange and yellow, especially since the buildings are all painted in fall colors—reds, browns, yellows, and lots of brick, everything from restaurants to a candy shop, ice cream parlor, antique stores, and other shops.
The ground outside and the roofs are covered with a couple of inches of snow.
Christmas trees, lights, and holiday decorations brighten every window display and outside each shop.
“It feels like make-believe,” I say, the awe in my voice noticeable. Maybe I should be embarrassed by that, but I can’t find it in myself to feel that way. I’m just…happy.
“You really do love this, don’t you?” Briar asks.
“I’m sure it sounds silly. I love the city too, but there’s something so…so wholesome about this place. It reminds me of a dream or a fairy tale. Sorry. I know that’s dumb—”
“It’s not,” he interrupts. “It’s sweet.”
Ugh. Sweet. The kiss of death. Most guys don’t want sweet. Sweet is boring. “Me tough man. Me hate cute small towns,” I joke, earning myself a laugh from Briar. It feels like hitting the jackpot, and I know when I look at him, my grin is ridiculous.
“What?” Briar asks.
“Nothing.” I pay attention to the road again, determined not to make this weird.
Briar and I are friends, and I’m doing him a favor.
That’s it. I don’t need to sit around thinking about how good it feels to make him laugh.
“I’m sure it’s different to you, having grown up here. Some of the magic is probably gone.”
“Well, maybe I’ll find it again. Your excitement is contagious.”
I like the idea of that, of helping him remember the magic of a place like this. Maybe then he’ll feel better next time he comes home and not as if he must have a fake boyfriend to prove himself.
“If anyone can help you with that, it’s me. I’m excellent at magic.” I mentally groan. Excellent at magic? What the fuck was that? Why do I say the dumbest shit around men I like?
“I don’t doubt it.”
Oh…well, that’s nice and helps soothe some of my embarrassment over my terrible flirting…flirting with a man I have no business flirting with because he was just dumped by my twin.
His parents’ place is a two-story, wooden-plank home, with three large windows in front. It sits back away from the road, on who knows how many acres of land. It too looks like a picture, all snowy and tucked away in an army of trees.
“It’s gorgeous. I can’t believe you grew up here.”
“It definitely didn’t feel exciting when I was a kid.”
“I can see that. We always want what we don’t have, right? And I’m sure at times it felt boring or small. I’ve always lived in cities or bigger suburbs, so for me, this is…”
“Magical?” Briar fills in my wording from earlier.
Warmth spreads through my chest at the beaming smile he’s giving me. “Yes.”
I turn off the car, and as soon as I look toward the house again, the front door opens, and an older woman steps out and waves wildly.
She’s tall and thin, with dark hair that matches Briar’s.
It’s up in a loose bun, whisps of it hanging around her face.
She’s got comfortable-looking jeans on and a thick sweater with a Christmas tree on the front.
She puts her hand to her mouth, then drops it and rushes down the stairs.
A barrel-chested man comes out behind her, with a thick brown beard and what might be the world’s largest smile. It’s impossible to look at these people and not see how much they love their son, excitement radiating off them and penetrating the car.
Nerves attack my gut, making it twist and turn. This is what a family is supposed to be, and I suddenly feel like an interloper.
“You okay?” Briar asks.
“Yeah, I…” But before I can say anything—not that I’d know how to answer anyway—his mom reaches us, and the passenger door is pulled open, his mom bouncing with joy.
“Oh, Briar! It’s so good to see you.”
He shoots me a concerned glance before his mom is pulling him out of the car and into her arms. I clear my throat, try and stuff down my worries and enjoy this moment for what it is. Yes, I’m here on false pretenses, but it’s for a good cause, and that’s what I try to focus on.
I climb out of the car, making my way around to their side, just as his father reaches me. “You must be Dawson,” he says, and I’m thankful Briar shared some real details about me after we decided on this holiday-exchange idea.
“Yes, sir. Jeffrey, right?” I’d made sure to memorize as much of the info about his family and hometown as I could. A good boyfriend should know these things.
I hold out my hand, but he gives me that wide smile that would remind me of Santa Claus if his beard was white instead of brown. “We’re huggers around here. Is that okay with you?”
“Um…yes, sir,” I stumble over my words.
I love my family. I wish we were closer, but I do love them. This is throwing me for a loop, though, because they’re nothing like this.
Jeffrey pulls me into a tight embrace before I hear, “That’s enough. My turn, Jeffrey. Let me get a look at him.” He pulls away, and then Briar’s mom is there, giving me a hug. “You were right, Briar. He’s so handsome!”
I can’t stop smiling. “Thanks, ma’am,” I reply, and notice Briar’s cheeks are slightly pink.
“You don’t have to worry about that sir or ma’am stuff around here.
I’m Donna.” She squeezes my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, honey.
We were so happy when Briar asked if he could bring you home.
Came as a bit of a surprise since he didn’t even tell me he was dating anyone!
” She looks at her son with a raised brow.
“I know. Sorry. I just…” He lets his words hang in the air, as if unsure what to say.
“We were taking things slow,” I fill in.
“Were?” Donna asks, meaning behind that one word that I hadn’t meant to insinuate. Oops. I’m supposed to be his boyfriend, who came home with him to meet his family. I shouldn’t make it sound like we’re not committed.
“Come on. Let’s get your things and go in before everyone freezes half to death. Gotta have you healthy to help at the farm!” Jeffrey beams, making it clear how excited he is to have his son in town and working with him. “So glad I caught you on my break!”
“Dad, we just got here. We don’t want to put our guest to work. I want to show him around town and some of the property.” He looks at me and pumps his brows. “We have snowmobiles.”
My pulse jumps, an eagerness I haven’t felt in a long time making my skin feel buzzy. “Really? That sounds fun. But I’m good with helping at the farm too. I want to do everything while I’m here.” Do I sound too excited? Too eager? Too…anything?
When I look up, all three are watching me with similar grins, and just like that, my worries start to dissipate.