Once at the nightclub, Vonda suggested they hit the dance floor. Ever since the hip replacement of 05, Ive been a new woman!
Okay, but first Lilah has to put on her veil, Arianne insisted. It was a joyfully tacky affair with blinking neon lights and a cellophane-wrapped green condom that looked like an oversize circular jewel in the center of the headband.
A good sport, Lilah slid it on her head to the sounds of her friends laughing and clapping.
Rachel leaned in, keeping her voice to a whisper. Make sure that thing accidentally falls off on the dance floor, and Ill accidentally trample the heck out of it. Sadly, Ill have to throw it away. Inevitable party casualty.
Dont tell Ari, Lilah whispered back, but you are definitely going to be my favorite sister-in-law.
The club was having a retro-themed night, and Rachel had a great time joking with her friends and belting out the lyrics to songs from Abba, Blondie and Barry White, but it didnt quite compare to the night before, dancing to more staid holiday selections in Davids arms. Lilah unknowingly echoed that sentiment later while they stood at the bar and waited for a couple of glasses of cold water.
Having fun? Rachel asked.
A blast. Although having that one dancer come to our table
Rachel grinned. Vonda certainly seemed to like him.
I think everyones having fun, and Arianne did a good job planning something naughty without completely destroying my comfort zone. I mean, the dancer was hot, I admit. Lilah fanned herself with one of the small square napkins. Seriously hot. Still, the only guy I want getting that close to me is Tanner.
I know exactly what you mean, Rachel assured her. All I want for Christmas is David.
Chapter Fourteen
Have I mentioned how much I appreciate this? David asked, studying the planks in front of him and matching them with the diagram in the instructions.
On the other side of the room where he was assembling a matching bookshelf, Tanner wiped a sleeve across his sweaty brow. Happy to help. Although I gotta admit, its not how I pictured spending my Christmas Eve. I was planning on letting Lilah catch me beneath the mistletoe. A lot.
Both Lilah and Rachel were currently sleeping at Susan and Zachariahs. The Waide tradition was that the whole family gathered there for Christmas Eve and dove into presents first thing in the morning, just as they did when they were kids. Because David had told everyone he shouldnt leave the puppy alone all night, the women were having a slumber party in Ariannes old room and the guys would rejoin them around sunrise. But hed been serious about not leaving Hildie alone all night-she was camped outside the doorway, gnawing on a chew toy and regarding their progress with friendly curiosity.
David dismissed his brothers lascivious hopes. Despite whatever you had in mind, Mom was planning on making sure the two of you slept in separate rooms until after the wedding-
Three more days!
-so look at this as a way to burn off your physical frustration in the meantime.
Ive long passed physical frustration and am headed into physical exhaustion, his brother groused good-naturedly. Moving the guest room furniture into the garage and all this stuff out of the garageYou really think Rachel will be surprised? Id do anything in the world for Lilah, but she would have found the boxes by now. She has present radar. She stumbles over things Ive hidden away even when shes not purposely looking for them. Trying to keep her from finding her engagement ring early was a comedy of errors.
David shook his head. Rachel rarely ever goes into the garage, especially in the winter. The space was too cramped for them to park cars inside, and had become little more than a storage facility for lawn and maintenance tools-it had been the perfect spot to hide the boxes for a few days. Even if Rachel had ventured out for a better look, she would have seen a neatly stacked row of cardboard, all taped up and full of parts and pieces that required assembly.
He grinned at all theyd managed to accomplish in just one night, trying to imagine her face when he showed her. For future reference, Tanner, I owe you a beer.
Ha! I was thinking a keg. But his brother was smiling, too. As long as Rachel loves it, thats enough for me.
David couldnt agree more. This was going to be the best Christmas ever.
RACHEL FELT warm and contentedly cocooned in the dreams shed been having, but her senses were starting to provide solid motivation for waking up, too. The alluring scent of baking cinnamon rolls, for instance. And she was aware of the gentlest, coaxing pressureShe returned the light kiss as she opened her eyes, waking in Davids embrace.
He sat on the bed, smiling. Merry Christmas.
She sleepily returned the smile, then remembered where she was and glanced around. Wheres everyone else?
Ariannes helping Mom with breakfast, which is nearly ready, and I think Tanner dragged Lilah off in search of mistletoe. He was pitiful last night. The way he carried on, youd think they were separated for weeks on end instead of a few hours.
Rachel stretched, grinning nostalgically. I remember the days before our wedding when I was sleeping under the same roof as my parents, only I couldnt sleep because I was thinking of you.
Yeah? David stroked his hand over her face. What kind of thoughts?
Hey! Arianne called from the hallway. If all you happy couples think youre gonna get fed, I demand help in the kitchen.
Pulling herself into a sitting position, Rachel laughed. Your sister is really going to have to learn to be assertive and ask for what she wants.
Yeah, well, its hard, being the baby of the family and a girl, David deadpanned. Tanner and I probably sheltered her too much. I blame myself for her crippling shyness.
Rachel was still shaking her head and chuckling when she walked away to brush her teeth. She smiled at her own reflection in the mirror. Hard to believe that cheerful, beautiful woman was really her. If anyone had asked her a month ago, she would have said this was her last holiday with the Waide family, probably her last holiday as a Waide. She would have expected it to be tinged with melancholy if not outright grim. Shed never been so thrilled to be so wrong.
The biggest improvement might be her and David trying to reconnect, but it wasnt the only improvement.
In weeks past, shed been trying to decide if she could be truly happy here, in a slow-paced job and in a small community where people would probably always see her first and foremost as Davids wife with no real picture of who shed been before. But after calling South Carolina last night to wish her own family happy holidays and hearing how stressed they all sounded-Kate having only returned to her job from maternity leave a few months ago and now worried about balancing her career with two small children, Rachels father still pushing himself as hard as ever and refusing to consider retirement, her mother still obsessing over office politics (First it was the sexism and having to prove myself among the Boys Club, now its making sure these new young girls they hire dont make the rest of us obsolete)Well, it was easy to remember why Rachel had dropped out of that particular rat race and sought the sanctuary of this sleepy town.
Folks in Mistletoe might be overly interested in her life, but it was by and large legitimate interest, not just judging her by her portfolio or whether she was on track for a promotion. Rachel had never truly disliked her job at the print shop. Shed just started overanalyzing it because shed wanted to feel that she was in control of something, because shed so desperately needed to be excited about something in her life. But both her parents had tried to find their satisfaction at the office for years, and neither seemed to have succeeded.
She patted her tummy, looking down. And then theres you. She could not wait to see everyones faces when she and David made the announcement later.
When she finally joined the others in the kitchen, Tanner harassed her about women taking a long time in the bathroom, and Arianne playfully accused her of ducking breakfast chores. Only David glanced at her with worry, raising an eyebrow in silent question and miming being queasy. It took her a moment to figure out what he was doing, and she laughed at how ridiculous he looked. Shed unintentionally discovered that her competitive husband would probably be lousy at charades.
Im fine, she mouthed.
To everyone else taking their seats around the table, she said, Sorry I was late. I stopped and took a few minutes tocount my blessings. A list that definitely included all of you. After a month of her emotions being so close to the surface, she shouldnt be so caught off guard by the way her vision suddenly blurred with unshed tears.
Susan looked startled but touched by the declaration. What an absolutely lovely thing to say, dear. You know we love you, too. I think it would be appropriate if we all said something we were grateful for this year. Ill start. Im the luckiest woman in Mistletoe to have all three of my grown children home and gathered around me for the holidays.
Next to her, Zachariah nodded. Im grateful the store had another profitable year and grateful for the work my family put in to help make that happen. David, I havent once second-guessed turning the reins over to you, and I know youll do great things.
Tanner kissed Lilahs hand. Im thankful this one hasnt come to her senses yet and realized she could do better than me.
A ripple of laughter went around the table, and Lilahs eyes twinkled when she added, Im grateful the wedding dress still fits-I had my doubts after some of the buffets at Christmas parties we attended. But I officially picked it up yesterday and it was just as perfect as ever. Im incredibly grateful that, in three more days, I will become Mrs. Lilah Waide.
Im grateful I got that waiters number at the club we took Lilah to, Arianne said smugly. Well, we dont all have to go for the sap, do we? I figure everyone else has got the cheesy covered.