“Hey there. Eli wanted me to tell you that something came up and he had to go. But I’ll drive you to your parents’ house later.”

Kay nodded. “Of course. Thank you. I really appreciate it.” She walked back to the hallway leading to the bedrooms, resisting the tears that burned behind her eyelids. She would never know how she managed it, but she kept it together until she got in the bedroom. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she let go and tears spilled over her cheeks.

It wasn’t just that she was hurt and embarrassed. It was the fact that she’d really believed for that one shining moment that Eli felt the same way she did.

After a few more minutes feeling sorry for herself, Kay blew out a breath and wiped her eyes. As tempting as it was, she couldn’t hide back here forever. Julia would wonder where she was, and it would put a damper on the atmosphere if they were all worried about her. They’d done more than enough of that for one holiday.

She opened the door to the hallway slowly. It was empty. Thank God. She didn’t want anyone to see her with her eyes all red and puffy. She went to the bathroom and splashed water on her face, then returned to the family room.

The kids were still playing with their new toys, but the adults were trying to clean up. Mark walked around the room holding out a big black trash bag so they could all throw in the stray bits of wrapping paper.

Kay leaned down and scooped up some stray pieces near her foot. When she turned around, Julia stood next to her, holding Hope. She passed the baby to Kay.

“You look like you could do with a few baby hugs to cheer you up.”

Kay figured everyone had probably figured out what had happened by now. They’d all seen Eli kiss her and then disappear a few minutes later. It had to be obvious that she’d chased him off from his own family celebration.

“You know, Eli found a stray dog when he was a boy,” Julia commented. “He loved that thing. None of the other boys paid it any attention, but Eli spent hours finding him a bed and feeding him from his hand. He was devastated when we found out the dog had heartworms.”

“Oh no. How terrible.” Kay had never had a pet, but she’d always loved dogs. She couldn’t imagine taking care of a pet only to learn that it wouldn’t make it.

“Well, it’s not incurable, but we couldn’t have afforded those kinds of medical bills for a dog. Eli found a wealthy older couple in the church willing to take him on and pay for his treatment. I always wondered how he convinced Margie Herman to do it. She’s hardly the charitable type.” Julia made a face.

Kay smiled. Apparently Julia didn’t like everyone in town.

“My point is, when people look at Eli, they see this big, strong tough guy. A warrior. They don’t see that big heart. He’s always been willing to sacrifice for those he cares about. He wants what’s best for whoever is under his protection.” She squeezed Kay closer and whispered, “Even if he thinks the best is someone or somewhere else.”

Mark called out for Julia, so she gave Kay one last soft smile and crossed the room to where her husband stood with the rest of the family.

Hope pointed at the tree, and Kay moved a little closer so she could stare, enraptured, at the twinkling lights. As she watched her daughter’s awestruck expression, a little bit of the warmth she’d felt earlier returned, seeping through her.

Maybe his mother was right and he’d left because he thought he was protecting her. From what she didn’t know, but didn’t she owe it to herself to find out once and for all?

Hurt feelings aside, Eli had proven he wasn’t unaffected. She hadn’t imagined that kiss nor had she been the instigator. He’d kissed her. And she definitely hadn’t imagined how he’d pulled her closer. Kaylee grinned as she started making a whole new list of New Year’s resolutions.

Ridley had tried to help her get Eli alone once before but Kay hadn’t taken advantage of that situation. She hadn’t been ready to.

But now she was.

As she watched the lights twinkling on the tree, she allowed herself to feel the first stirrings of that magical, elusive emotion that her daughter was named for.

Hope.

THE END