His manner subdued, he opened her door for her.
So, your mom came by to get the key from you? she asked, fishing for conversation.
Yeah. I told her we both really appreciated it.
Susan, whod once been Winnies Sunday-school teacher, would let the dogs out around lunch. Rachel had asked Tanner and Lilah if they could have an early dinner and return from their day of shopping in time for someone to give the pooches adequate attention this evening. David had promised to take them for a long walk if it wasnt too cold.
It was only a short drive to Lilahs. Tanner had his own apartment for the time being, but would move in with Lilah after the wedding while they waited for their house to be finished. After some weather delays and switching contractors in the middle of construction, Lilah had grumbled that the next time they had the bright idea to build their own house, she was buying stock in aspirin. Nevertheless, Rachel thought it was romantic that Lilah and Tanner had put such effort and thought into planning their future together, starting from the steel-reinforced concrete foundation and working their way up.
Lilah opened the front door before they even had a chance to knock. Hey, guys. She hugged both of them. Tanner just ran back to the kitchen to grab a cookie tin.
Road-trip provisions, her husband-to-be called.
Were not going to be on the road that long, Lilah reminded him, smiling indulgently. Thank heavens for Tanner. This might be the first year I dont gain ten pounds from the holiday treats my students bring in.
Tanner appeared in the hallway behind her, twirling his car keys. Tucked under his other arm was a blue tin painted with snowflakes. So, are we all set to hit the road?
Just as David was saying yes, Rachel interrupted, Actually, Lilah, would you mind if I use your bathroom first?
Be my guest.
There was nothing remarkable in Rachels request-the first time-but she was sure Tanner and Lilah were surprised when she asked him to pull over for their third pit stop before they reached the shopping megaplex.
Feeling okay? Lilah asked as she held her hands under an automatic dryer.
Rachel rubbed her own hands together under the water. Absolutely. Just a small bladder. With a tiny person growing on top of it.
I was thinking, when we get there, we should split up-guys and girls?
Yes!
Lilah laughed at Rachels eager agreement. Guess youre not done shopping for David, either, huh?
More like she hadnt even started. They were spending Christmas Day with the Waides, opening presents together as they had for the past four years. She didnt have the first clue what to get him this year. Everything felt wrong.
I know its hypocritical, Lilah was saying, my always admonishing the kids not to procrastinate when Ive put off almost all of my shopping until a week and a half before Christmas, but Ive been so preoccupied with the wedding.
Understandable. Rachel reached for the door.
Ive at least been thinking about what I want to buy, so its not complete procrastination, right? I think Tanner did all his shopping on the Internet, but Im old-fashioned. Lilah grinned. I like the crowds, the fruitless hunt for a parking spot, the canned carols playing overhead.
Rachel laughed. Yeah, nothing says happiest time of the year like lamenting that theyre all sold out of the size you need while youre listening to Santa Claus Is Coming to Town for the fifth time that day.
Exactly!
As they walked down the sidewalk toward the car, Lilah nodded toward the two men waiting within. If we split up, maybe itll give the guys a chance to talk.
About?
Lilah faltered. Oh. Well, I dont know specifically. I should have thought before I babbled.
About?
Lilah faltered. Oh. Well, I dont know specifically. I should have thought before I babbled.
Lilah, what is it?
The redhead averted her gaze. Tanner would probably feel self-conscious if he knew I was saying this.
Dont worry, he wont hear it from me.
Its just that, lately, hes had the feeling somethings on Davids mind. Lilah looked even more uncomfortable. Probably nothing, stuff at the store or whatever.
Mmm. Rachel kept her expression determinedly noncommittal.
People who dont know him well wouldnt see it, but Tanner can be really sensitive. Hes the younger brother and was the family screwup.
Rachel waved a hand. Nobody thinks of him that way.
He does sometimes. I think it would mean a lot if, for a change, his respected older brother came to him for advice. Lilahs face went soft with affection. Tanner would never put it this way, but I think the big lug just wants to feel needed. Like hes graduated to a point where David considers him his equal.
Rachel felt a pang of sympathy for her brother-in-law. Buddy, I know how you feel.
Chapter Eleven
You buy anything else for your bride-to-be and youre gonna need a pack mule. David watched his brother shift bags to balance weight distribution.
Mock all you want, Tanner rejoined. Your harassment is nothing compared to hugs and kisses from a happy Lilah on Christmas morning.
David barely heard anything after kisses. The taste of Rachels kiss had been taunting him all week, particularly today, as theyd sat close together in the backseat of Tanners compact car. She glowed with an expression of sublime contentment-he didnt think hed ever seen a more beautiful woman. More than once, hed seen her hand go to her abdomen, a quick gesture of affection toward their unborn child. He knew she didnt realize she was doing it, but if she kept it up, May Gideon and Mindy Nelson wouldnt be the only ones to clue in to the pregnancy.
Fine with me. Whenever he thought about Rachel having his baby, he wanted to shout the news from the rooftops. Could there be a more amazing Christmas gift for his mom and dad than telling them they were going to be grandparents? He could imagine Zachariahs gruff expression of pride, his turning away because hed never become entirely comfortable with anyone seeing emotion on his face. Susan, on the other hand, would sob unabashedly, gathering David and Rachel both in a group hug. His parents had always loved her.
Theyd be devastated when she left. How was he going to explain it? His pulse thundered. I cant let it come to that.
Tanner, if you did something, if you messed things up with Lilah
You mean like move away with only a note for a goodbye? Tanner asked wryly. He and Lilah had dated all through high school and college before hed decided it was too claustrophobic for him to stay in Mistletoe, but he couldnt ask her to give up the town she loved. Been there, done that. Wait, were not talking about me. You didnt mean just a hypothetical, did you? It would help if I knew more about the details.
Yeah. I wish I understood those better myself. David looked away, wondering if he should have swallowed his pride before now and asked his parents for their input. Susan had said even theyd had their share of rough patches. As he stared idly down the mall corridor, his gaze caught on a window display of baby furniture. A white wooden crib gleamed in the center, its starkness mediated by the rainbow-colored baby blanket and a cheerful mobile hanging overhead.
He found himself grinning suddenly. Who said he had to wait until next Christmas to start playing Santa to their child? Maybe a present like this would remind Rachel of all theyd dreamed of together, all they still had in common and could share.
Tanner, could we part company for a little bit? Theyd been planning to meet the girls at a Mexican restaurant at the other end of the mall in about forty minutes. If David walked fast, he should have enough time to make some purchases and sign some delivery slips.
ALL WEEK Rachel had been tiring out faster than normal, and after a day of walking through stores, she was ready to crash. Even Lilah, caught up in her relentless holiday cheer, noticed Rachels energy flagging.
Lilah consulted her watch. We still have a few minutes, but what say we grab a booth at the restaurant a few minutes early and gorge ourselves on chips and queso?
Yes, please.
Theyd worked their way through half a bowl of melted cheese when David arrived, Tanner moments behind him, only one black-and-gold plastic bag between them.
Lilah twirled the straw in her margarita. You two seemed to have missed the point of today.
Ive actually got most of my Christmas shopping under control, David admitted, sliding in next to Rachel. Her entire body went on high alert at his nearness.
I made a stop at the car, Tanner said, to hide my stuff in the trunk. Lilah peeks.
I do not, she protested.
Youre terrible, he countered. Alone in a room for twenty seconds with a package, youre shaking it, weighing it, doing everything but x-raying it and you probably only stop short of that because you dont have the right equipment.
All a legitimate part of the gift-giving experience. She sniffed. Rachel, David, help me out here. Trying to figure out whats in the box is a time-honored tradition. Its not the same as peeking, is it?
You and David must be kindred souls, Rachel said. He can guess whats inside just by looking at the wrapped package.
David grinned at her. Not every year.
She knew he was thinking of his birthday a couple of years ago, when Rachel had outwitted him. Shed bought him running shoes hed insisted cost too much for him to splurge on, then put the box from the store inside a larger box, repeating the process three times until his best guess when he saw it had been a confused new grill? even though the one theyd owned was still in good condition. Far more fun had been the small green gift bag shed weighted with decorative garden rocks one Valentines Day so that the beribboned package had been appallingly heavy, giving no hint that the real present inside was a gossamer pink-lace chemise shed worn for him later that evening.
It hadnt stayed on her long.
Youre blushing, David said quietly.
No, Im not. My cheeks are just flushed from the spicy salsa.
He laughed.
You guys gonna tell everyone on this side of the table whats so funny? Tanner wanted to know.