“Where are we going?” he asked, walking as close to me as possible, his arm around my shoulders. Slung over his opposite shoulder, my scope.
“You’ll see,” said. I was actually a little melancholy about the place. Jilly had made it for me years ago. High above the barn loft, a trap door led out to a platform made especially for stargazing. We reached the barn, climbed the two sets of ladders to reach the platform, and when we stepped out onto it Brax sucked in a breath.
“Man, Gracie,” he’d said in a low voice. “This is wicked.”
“Jilly built it for me,” I told him. “Years ago. We used to watch every single meteor shower of the year from up here.”
I spread out a blanket, Brax set up the scope, and we laid there for a long time, staring at the crystal clear skies and glittering stars.
Suddenly, he pointed. “What was that?”
“Let me see,” I said, and moved to look through the eye piece.
“I don’t know,” he said, snuggling close to my ear. “Looked like a sleigh or something.” His hand slid under my jacket, resting against my stomach.
I giggled, and turned to look at him. “You got me.”
We laid facing each other, and he kissed me. “Yeah, and I’m keepin’ ya, Sunshine.” His lips touched mine, his tongue swept over and over, and my hands found their way to his jaw and I kissed him back.
“I’m f-f-f-ucking f-f-freezing,” he said against my mouth, and moved closer, his hands now finding their way beneath my thermal shirt to my bare skin.
I squealed. “Brax! No! Your fingers are like ice!” I squirmed, and he continued his assault until finally, his hands warmed against my body, and he trapped me with his heavy thigh. Bracing himself on his elbow, he looked down at me; his gaze searched mine, seemingly moving over every inch of my face. With his free hand, he brushed my hair out of my eyes. He was quiet for a long time.
“You take my breath, Gracie Beaumont,” he said, his voice husky. His intense stare burned straight through me, I shook, and he kissed me so deep and with so much emotion, a surge of joy filled me and swept away all trepidation I’d ever felt.
“What’d Jilly say to you that night in the hospital?” I asked again. “If you can tell me now?”
He snuggled closer. “He told me not to play around with your heart. That if I really wanted you, I had to prove it, or else walk away. To sacrifice.” He kissed me again. “And he also said if I hurt you again he’d find a way to come back and kick my horse’s ass.” He grinned. “I told him he’d never have to worry about that. Ever.” Evah.
I could so hear my grandpa saying those ornery words. God, I missed him.
On Christmas morning, Brax crept into my room and woke me up.
“Gracie,” he whispered, shaking me. “You gotta wake up, Sunshine.”
I cracked open my eyes and there he was, his Boston Red Sox hat turned around backward, an excited grin plastered to his face. “Now,” he pleaded.
“If my mother catches you in here she’s going to beat you with her broom.”
He lifted a brow. “Your mother sent me in here.”
I sat up, shaking my head. “By the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you thank you.”
Brax tugged on my arm. “For what?”
“Watching your usual Southie potty mouth around my mother.”
He shrugged. “Tryin’ to clean up the act a little, is all.”
I rolled out of bed. “You’re scared of her.”
“Wicked scared of her.” He grinned.
I laughed, and we walked out into the family room, where our ten foot tree was sparkling with lights. Underneath, a few more presents than when I’d last checked. I eyed Brax with suspicion. “What’d you do?”
“Merry Christmas, guys,” Seth said, just walking in.
My other two brothers stuck their heads from the kitchen. “Merry Christmas, Lil’ Bit. Brax.”
We all exchanged gifts. Brax was nearly squirming by the hearth for me to open the small box he’d handed me. I knew it wasn’t anything overkill, like a ring. But it was … something.
“Gracie, you’re killing me,” he said. “Open it already.”
I did, and inside the box was a thin silver chain, complete with the tiniest charm. A silver telescope. I flung my arms around his neck. “I love it! It’s perfect!”
He looked at me. “I know.”
My cheeks flamed, and I reached around him and handed him a brightly wrapped box with a burlap bow I’d made myself. “Your turn.”
Brax turned those ghostly eyes on me. “What’d you do, Gracie?”