Chapter 11
J osh pressed the off button on the remote and tossed it onto the ottoman. He brought his feet to the floor and turned to Sunday.
“That was a great movie,” he said.
“I can’t believe you’d never seen The Holiday before,” Sunday replied. “It’s the perfect holiday movie—friendship, romance, a gorgeous California mansion, a charming English country cottage, and actors with English accents. What more could you want?”
Josh chuckled. “I suspect the houses are a big part of the attraction for you.”
“I have to admit,” Sunday said with a grin, “Iama bit house crazy.”
Josh’s expression softened. “Speaking of houses … where do you want to live when we get married? Should I move in with you? I assume my place is too small for the four of us. Heck, it’s even too small for me and these two dogs.”
“That’s the practical solution, but I’d love to find a new place forus. A home where all the memories will include both of us from the beginning.”
Josh nodded. “My lease is up at the end of the semester. How about yours?”
“I’ve been month-to-month for the last year,” Sunday said.
“I’ve been saving for a house and waiting for the right one to come on the market.
” She sighed, adding, “We’re incredibly busy with wedding plans, your graduation, and your new jobs at Forever Friends and Forever Guides.
We don’t really have the time or energy to look for a house right now.
I guess moving in with me is our best option. ”
“We’ll go house hunting this summer,” Josh agreed, his voice warm. “When things calm down.”
Cara, Josh’s petite German shepherd, and Dan, his easygoing black Lab, lay stretched out on the rug, their backs against the sofa.
When Josh put his feet on the floor, both dogs stirred.
They yawned, stretched, and rose to their feet.
Dan’s tail swished lazily while Cara padded over to the back door.
“I think these two need to go out,” Josh said, pushing himself off the sofa. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’d like to stretch my legs too,” she said, glancing at her watch. “We’ve got another hour before midnight. By the end of the movie, I was struggling to keep my eyes open. A brisk walk in the night air is exactly what I need—or I’ll never stay awake to welcome the new year with you.”
“We don’t have to stay up,” Josh teased. “New Year’s Eve is no big deal. Kissing someone at midnight doesn’t bring good luck.”
Sunday gave him a playful bop on the arm. “You don’t know that,” she said with a smile. “This is my first—and hopefullyonly—time being engaged on New Year’s Eve. We’ll be married by the next one. I certainly intend to make the most of this year.”
She swung her legs off the sofa and stood, stretching. “I’ve got an idea,” she said, following Josh and the dogs to the back door. “Let’s take these guys for a walk—like we did when we got engaged.”
“That’s a terrific idea,” Josh said. “I’m sure they’d like more exercise than just a quick trip to the backyard. Do you want to stroll around this neighborhood, or pile into the car and go somewhere?”
“I’dloveto drive to the streets behind the square,” Sunday said, her eyes lighting up. “All those mansions are so gorgeous, decorated in Christmas lights. It’d be fun to see them one last time this season.”
“We’ll head to the house where you agreed to make my dreams come true,” Josh said.
“Oh, that’d be perfect,” Sunday said, her voice catching slightly. “We can park and walk the dogs up and down the street to give them some exercise.” She leaned toward the dogs and addressed them in a singsong voice. “What do you think?”
Both dogs turned toward her, tails thrashing in response.
Josh smiled as he clipped the harnesses onto Cara and Dan. He and Sunday slipped into their coats, bundled up for the crisp night, and the foursome headed out the door—two humans, two dogs, and hearts full of anticipation for the year ahead.
Josh drove slowly down the residential street.
Cars lined both curbs, and the charming storybook cottage where he’d proposed to Sunday was at the epicenter.
Every light inside the small home was on, and the front door stood open.
People spilled out of the house and clustered in lively groups on the lawn that extended to the sidewalk.
A catering truck was parked in the driveway, and through their closed car windows they heard ’90s pop music pulsing.
“What a contrast to the quiet, peaceful night I proposed,” Josh said, his voice touched with nostalgia.
“Yes, it looks like they’re having quite a party,” Sunday replied, watching the laughter and commotion with a small smile.
“Do you want to get out and walk the dogs here, anyway?” Josh asked.
“No,” Sunday replied. “It would seem like we’re gate-crashing. Let’s drive around the block to the Olsson House and park there. I love that street. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of Christmas lights to look at, and we can walk the dogs without them getting distracted by partygoers.”
“Good thinking,” Josh said as he turned the corner and made his way to the middle of the block, pulling to a stop in front of the Olsson House.
They got out of the car and paused at the curb, taking in the grandeur of the Olsson House. It was bathed in soft white lights and adorned with a garland-wrapped railing and bows of burgundy velvet.
“What a beauty,” Sunday said softly.
“That it is,” Josh agreed. “Would you like to own a home like this one day?”
Sunday stepped forward and tilted her head as she admired the Victorian mansion.
“Living in a beautiful old home is a dream of mine, but, with our librarian and nonprofit administrator salaries, it’s not likely.
And that’s perfectly fine with me. I’m sure we’ll find something we both love—and can afford. ”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Josh said. “I’d hate to think you’d be pining your whole life for something you’d never own.”
“I already have the most important thing in life—a loving and kind partner,” she said, turning her gaze to him. “The rest doesn’t matter.”
They turned away from the Olsson House and walked along the street, the dogs trotting contentedly at their heels as they admired the twinkling Christmas decorations on the homes they passed.
“Do you want to cross and walk back on the other side of the street?” Josh asked.
Sunday nodded, and she and Cara led the way. The houses on this side were two-and three-story red brick structures with intricate trim and architectural detailing that reflected the grandeur of their original owners—all except one of them.
A few houses down and across the street from the Olsson House sat a one-story structure with a warm stone exterior.
The steeply pitched roof culminated in a dramatic point.
An arched front door with a speakeasy window and a large, diamond-paned window were nestled below the peak.
Twin chimneys rose from either side of the sharply slanted roof.
Sunday slowed her pace as they approached. “I can’t see how far back this house goes, but it looks much smaller than the others on the street.”
“Someone could have torn down one of the big ones and replaced it with this,” Josh suggested.
Sunday stopped where a curving brick walkway met the sidewalk. She studied the roofline and the craftsmanship around the window and door. “I don’t think so. This all seems authentic to the period. They simply built this house smaller than the rest.”
“Maybe the person who owned the lot didn’t have enough money to build a mansion,” Josh said.
“That’s possible,” Sunday replied. “Or it was built as a mother-in-law suite. Who knows? If I owned it, I’d research to find the answer.”
Josh slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close as they both stared at the house.
“There aren’t any Christmas lights on it,” he noted. “They may not celebrate Christmas, of course, but the snow hasn’t been plowed off the driveway or the walkway. Do you suppose it’s vacant?”
Sunday shrugged. “That’s possible.” She wrapped her arm around his waist, and they leaned into each other.
The dogs sat obediently, waiting for their people to finish taking in the scene.
“Would you be happy living in a house like this?” Josh asked.
Sunday nodded without hesitation. “I love the house where you proposed. And the mansions on this street. But for all their grandeur,” she said, glancing up and down the street, “this one has a warmth and coziness to it that’s …
compelling.” She inhaled deeply and smiled up at him.
“It’s almost like the There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe house” she said. “Do you know that Mother Goose book?”
Josh laughed. “Of course I do. What kidhasn’theard that story?” He grinned. “It makes sense thatmyfavorite librarian would describe a house with a literary reference.”
“I’m glad you understand me so well,” Sunday said, her voice full of affection.
Cheering and whistling reached them from the next street over. A few small fireworks exploded in bright sparks against the night sky.
“It must be midnight,” Josh said, turning to face her.
Sunday tilted her head back and lifted her chin. “Happy New Year, darling. The only thing I need for the home of my dreams isyou.”
Josh brought his lips to hers.
She slid her arms up his back to his shoulders, and he held her close as they welcomed the new year together, under the stars.