Epilogue
Rawley guided his pickup down the winding country road toward his parents’ two-story colonial. Skylar sat bundled in her cream cashmere sweater that he’d gotten her, watching snowflakes dance across the frost-laden pines that lined their route.
“I’m so happy my parents are here too.” Skylar’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she grinned.
“Me too. I’m glad our parents get along so well,” Rawley replied.
“I am too. Your parents were so thoughtful to invite them to stay with them. Since Thanksgiving, our mothers have become thick as thieves.”
Rawley glanced over his shoulder at the pile of wrapped packages, each topped with hand-tied satin bows. “You know you didn’t have to get my parents anything.”
“You got my parents presents,” she countered.
“Well, yeah.”
“‘Well, yeah?’ That’s your response?” She raised an eyebrow.
He chuckled. “What do you want me to say?”
“What did you get them?” Skylar twisted in her seat, her blonde hair cascading over one shoulder.
“You’ll see when they open them.” He did his best not to grin.
“Oh, come on. You know exactly what I got your parents.”
Rawley sighed. “I got your father a German crystal etched beer stein with his last name and initial. And I found your mother this hand-painted ceramic coffee mug with a matching lid.” He shrugged.
“They’ll love those. My mother loves her coffee mugs,” Skylar said.
“I hope so.”
“Of course, they will. They love you.”
“I feel the same about them.” He cleared his throat.
“What’s wrong?” Her forehead creased with concern.
“Not a thing, darlin’. My stomach’s just growling something fierce. I swear I can smell that honey-glazed ham and stuffed turkey from here.”
“You’re hungry.” She smirked. “What about tired and horny?”
Rawley laughed. “When it comes to you, I’m always horny.”
“Likewise,” Skylar whispered, her cheeks flushing pink.
He eased the truck up the snow-dusted driveway and parked close to the porch.
After killing the engine, he hopped out, his boots crunching in the fresh powder as he circled around to open Skylar’s door.
She stepped down, her knee-high boots leaving imprints.
Rawley retrieved an armful of presents wrapped in shimmering silver and deep blue paper, passing several to Skylar before nodding toward the house, where golden light spilled from every window.
As they approached the wide porch with its twinkling white lights, the door swung open. His mother stood framed in the doorway, her silver-streaked hair pulled into an elegant knot.
“Merry Christmas,” she called, her breath visible in the frosty air. “Come in from this frigid cold.
Rawley ducked to kiss her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”
She patted his stubbled face with a warm hand, then turned to Skylar with arms outstretched. “Skylar, we’re absolutely thrilled you’re here. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Darla.” Skylar embraced her.
Skylar’s parents stood by the granite island, her father in a cable-knit sweater, and her mother wearing a blue blouse that matched her eyes.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” Rawley announced.
“Same to you, Rawley,” Jane McCoy replied, her eyes twinkling with maternal affection.
“Ed, Merry Christmas,” Rawley said, extending his hand for a firm handshake.
“Same to you, son.” Ed McCoy’s weathered face creased into a smile beneath his salt-and-pepper mustache.
Rawley inhaled deeply, savoring the mingled aromas. “Everything smells incredible, Mom.”
“Skylar, how are you doing?” Rawley’s father asked.
“Wonderful, J.B. I’m hungry though.” She patted her stomach.
“Well, we’ll have to take care of that,” he said as he enveloped her in a bear hug.
“Let’s take these to the living room, Skylar.” Rawley cradled a tower of gifts as he navigated toward the living room. The floors creaked beneath his boots as he set the presents on the braided rug in front of the tree.
“What’s that?” She pointed to a box large enough to hold a microwave, wrapped in crimson paper with a gold bow that caught the light from the fireplace.
“Another gift for you. My mom had to pick it up for me and she went ahead and wrapped it.”
“What is it?”
“Do you really think I’m going to tell you?” He raised an eyebrow.
Skylar slipped her slender arms around his waist. “I could make you.”
“Stop.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “You’ll see soon enough.” He pulled her tight against his chest and kissed her lips.
“Enough of that you two. Open your gifts.” Darla’s hair caught the light as she smiled.
“You have to do that too.”
The family gathered in a semicircle in the living room as Darla, wearing a festive red cardigan, distributed gifts with the precision of a card dealer.
The Christmas tree in the corner cast multicolored shadows across the room, and the scent of cinnamon and pine hung in the air.
When Darla set the enormous box on the floor in front of Skylar, her eyes sparkled with shared secrets.
Paper tore with satisfying rips, revealing treasures within.
Ed’s face lit up like the tree when he unwrapped the ornate glass stein with his initials engraved on it.
Jane clutched the ceramic coffee mug to her chest, tracing the hand-painted flowers with her fingertip.
Darla’s eyes welled with tears when she opened Skylar’s gift, then pulled her into a tight embrace.
J.B. whistled appreciatively at the anniversary bottle of whiskey from Skylar, holding it up to catch the light.
Skylar’s parents had given Rawley several shirts and a few pairs of jeans, which he definitely needed.
When Skylar finally attacked the crimson paper on her box, she lifted the lid and gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
“It’s the lamp I wanted,” she said, her eyes wide as saucers as she gazed at the beautiful hurricane lamp. “How did you know?”
“I went into Timeless Treasures to get my mother’s gift and Maggie mentioned that you’d been drooling over that lamp for months.” He shrugged. “So, I got it.”
“Rawley, it was expensive.” Her voice quavered as she ran her fingers over the intricate pattern.
“So? I can afford it. You wanted it and I will do my best to get you everything you want.”
He watched her blink back tears that made her eyes shimmer, then laughed when she threw her arms around his neck, her vanilla scent enveloping him as she pressed her warm lips against his cheek.
“Just you wait for tonight,” Skylar whispered, her breath warm against his ear, and Rawley groaned.
“Come on, everyone. Let’s eat,” Darla announced.
J.B. stood at his seat at the head of the long, cream-linen–draped table and clapped his hands once. “All right, folks, dig in. I know someone’s hungry.”
“You know it, Dad,” Rawley said.
When they gathered around the feast’s center, Rawley’s stomach growled in concert with the rest of the family’s laughter.
Before him, the turkey’s skin gleamed golden-brown, its juices pooling on the platter.
Beside it lay slices of honey-glazed ham, their caramelized edges catching the candlelight.
Pillowy mounds of mashed potatoes dusted with parsley sat next to bowls of candied yams, corn kernels, and sage-and-onion stuffing dotted with flecks of rosemary.
Steam curled up from every dish, filling the air with warmth and promise.
“I wish Betsy and Dane could have made it,” Darla said softly.
“The weather was too bad, hon,” J.B. murmured, touching her hand.
“I know, J.B., but I miss her.”
“I do too,” he said, voice low. “But she’ll be here for New Year’s, we hope.”
Rawley set down his napkin and drew a slow, steady breath, then rose, heart thundering, and turned to face Skylar’s parents. “Jane, Ed,” he began, voice tight with emotion, “I would like your blessing to ask Skylar to marry me.”
A stunned silence fell. Silver candleholders flickered, casting quivering light on every upturned face. Rawley glanced at Skylar, her hand flew to her mouth, eyes shimmering with tears.
“That is, if she’ll have me.”
His words, simple and sincere, filled the hush. Rawley felt every heartbeat echoing in his chest.
“Rawley…” Skylar’s voice cracked as tears slipped down her cheeks.
He stepped closer, taking her hand. “I love you more than I ever thought possible. I want you in my life for as long as you’ll have me. The only way I’ll ever leave is if you ask me to.” He turned to her parents. “May I have your blessing?”
Jane sprang from her chair and swept him into a fierce hug. “You have it, Rawley. I’m so happy for you both.” Ed rose then, gripping Rawley’s shoulder with a proud smile. “From both of us, absolutely.”
Rawley returned to Skylar’s side, his knees suddenly weak.
He drew a small, black velvet box from his pocket and knelt before her.
When he lifted the lid, every eye followed the two-carat diamond ring set in white gold.
It caught the candlelight and fractured it into rainbows dancing on the walls.
His pulse pounded as he thought maybe this wasn’t what she wanted.
Skylar cupped his face, her fingers warm and trembling. “You are the only man I want in my life. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Her words were the only answer he needed. He lifted her hand, slid the ring onto her left ring finger, and pressed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. Then he pulled her close again and sealed the moment with a tender kiss.
Applause and cheers erupted around them. Darla hurried forward to envelop them both in her arms. “Oh, Rawley, your father and I are so happy for you both. Welcome to the family, Skylar.”
“Thank you, Darla,” Skylar whispered, voice quavering with joy.
Rawley grinned as he looked at Skylar, her eyes bright, her smile radiant, and knew he’d never been more certain of anything. She was his world, and together, he was sure they could weather any storm the future might bring.
* * * The End * * *