A Christmas to Remember(92)

Santa Clause made eye contact with Adam and let out a loud chuckle. “Did you hear that, Dad?” Santa called. “That order’s on you, not me.” Adam laughed and nodded.

“And how about you, sir?” Santa asked David.

“I’d like to ice skate with Daddy too, but I’d also like a racecar set.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Have you two been good this year?”

“Oh, yes!” Olivia said and everyone laughed.

As Carrie watched them, she realized that, yet again, Adam had done it all by himself: he’d made another memory for the kids. He was a natural. She couldn’t wait to see what he would do next.

When the kids had finished chatting with Santa, and Adam had purchased more photo packages than he’d ever give out in his lifetime, he turned to Carrie. “Mom’s going to take the kids for a little while. Would you walk with me to get coffee for everyone?”

“Of course,” she said, feeling the excitement rush through her like fireworks.

They walked over to the coffee shop, the heat nearly overwhelming her as Adam opened the door and allowed her to enter. He stood beside her in front of the board with the offerings of various coffees.

“I want to guess which coffee you’ll get,” she said, feeling suddenly like she probably knew him better than he knew himself.

He looked down at her curiously, a smile playing at his lips.

“Hmm.” She walked closer to the board, her eyes scanning the various drinks. “Dark roast…” She moved over to the flavors. “I don’t see you as the sweet-coffee-type.” She looked him up and down.

He was smiling now, and she tried not to let it distract her.

“Maybe a little sweetness…”

She heard him chuckle. It made her stop and look at him, and, when she did, she felt her limbs go numb. He was telling her something in their unspoken language, something she wanted to interpret, but she was worried she’d translated it incorrectly. His face exuded so much affection that she dared not think it was her that was causing it. There was no way that she could make a man like Adam look like that.

“Hazelnut dark roast with milk,” she said before her nerves clouded her vision completely.

“I usually just get pot coffee. Black. But your suggestion sounds delicious. I think I’ll have that. What do you want to drink?” he asked still looking at her like he had been. She was so jittery, adding caffeine to her body probably wasn’t a good idea. “Want me to guess yours?” he asked. She nodded, glad that she didn’t have to speak.

“Definitely a sweet-coffee drinker,” he said with a grin. As he studied the board, she allowed herself to take in the sight of him. His thick brown coat was bunched up around the ends of his arms where he had his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he leaned toward the board to get a better look. His face was focused but light and happy while he searched the flavors of coffee. “Caramel is in there, I’m sure,” he said, looking over at her. She grinned. He was right! “And…” She hung on his every word, hoping he knew her well enough to pick what she liked. She’d feel terrible if he said something like cinnamon, which she’d never get. “Wait,” he said. “I see a drink that is exactly what I think you’d have. Caramel and Mocha. With light whipped cream.”

Perfect.

“You got it, right on the dot,” she said, her heart going crazy. She was thrilled that he knew her well enough to know what she liked. How much more about her would he be able to guess? Could he guess how she was feeling right now? Could he guess how happy she was to be with him? Did he play their kiss over and over in his head?

As they stood in line, she looked around the coffee shop. There wasn’t anything special about it. She’d been in hundreds just like it. But, for the first time, she didn’t have her nose in a self-help book, and she wasn’t alone. She noticed the Christmas coasters, the paper snowmen that hung from the ceiling above the register, the lights nestled in the greenery along the windows. As she stood beside Adam Fletcher, whose face she knew so well now, she thought to herself how, without even meaning to, he was creating memories for her as well. This would be a Christmas that she’d remember for the rest of her life.





Chapter Twenty-Five





Be careful not to spend too much time planning for the future and keep an open mind while in the present. The present can either change your life’s direction or solidify it.

Olivia took Carrie’s hand to lead her down the hallway. “Where’s David?” Carrie whispered, wondering why Olivia hadn’t gotten him first and then come to get her. After all, it was Christmas morning, and certainly she’d want her brother to be ready to go downstairs with them.