Chapter 15

CADE

His stomach was slightly upset during the football game, and he had popped several bags of popcorn that Jude brought over so they could start stringing the garland during the football game. Digging out his emergency sewing kit, he strung a needle for each of them.

"What's this for?" Jude asked skeptically. "We're not eating the popcorn?"

"Ta' lance that big ol' zit on your forehead," Rodney teased, causing everyone to chuckle as he went down the line of lawn chairs, handing each of them a bowl of popcorn, needle, and thread.

"I thought we could watch the game and string some garland… you know, fun and festive stuff while we digest our incredible meal," he smiled, handing Holly a bowl and needle before sitting down beside her with his own. "Thanks for cooking, Holly. It was amazing. I think I'm gonna pack a big ol' turkey sandwich for dinner at the station tomorrow when I go back to work."

"You know there was a lot of turkey left…" Rodney drawled, looking at the other guys before peering forward to look at Holly.

"Dude, back off," Cade laughed. "She's taken and not making you a sandwich. I didn't even ask her to make me a sandwich. Hello? We are perfectly capable of making our own food and know it…"

"Yeah, Rodney," Holly smirked. "I'm not your mama nor your maid."

"See?" Cade grinned, loving her sass, only to see her turn to him and wink as she lowered her voice, speaking to him.

"But for you, captain - I'll pack you a big lunch and one for dinner with the leftovers. All you'll have to do is microwave it and eat it in front of Rodney."

"Hear that?" Jude guffawed, slapping the other man on the shoulder.

"Watch the needle!"

"String your popcorn, nitwits…"

"I swear. Rodney, you are needy – and on your own for dinner tomorrow."

"I think Rodney should cook."

"What? Hey! Whyyy?"

"Have you had his food? Why would you want to do that? The man likes salting everything – including his salad."

"Ughhh," Holly flinched audibly next to him, rearing away from the other guy who shrugged. "You salt your salad?"

"Just don't watch him eat," Cade suggested between laughs. Everyone was smiling, light-hearted, teasing, and having a good time. His home that had felt so very empty this morning, felt alive and welcoming, and it felt wonderful. Knox was lying on his puppy blanket, chewing on the corner, and watching his ‘weird and crazy human'. For the first time in forever, he didn't miss Ember Creek – and that surprised him. Digging out his cell phone quickly, he shot off a text message.

Happy Thanksgiving, Reese!

You too, brother! Happy Thanksgiving. Things going a little better now that you are settling in?

Very!

Cade held up his phone and took a photo of all of them – but mostly he wanted a photo of him with Holly to share with his friends back home. He sent the photo, and one more text messages, before hurriedly putting his phone on silent and tucking it in his jeans.

I'm gonna marry this woman.

Four hours later, as the football game ended and Cade saw a few yawns beginning, he realized it was time for the fellas to leave. He didn't mind if Holly wanted to shut her eyes, but he sure wasn't putting anyone up at the house when he wanted to be alone with her.

"Guys, I'll bring some leftovers tomorrow… but for tonight – it's time to head out before Jude or Mayberry start snoring louder than little Knox," he smiled and saw the four guys look at each other and share a smile as they got to their feet.

"It's been nice seeing you, Beary…"

"Thanks, Beary and Cade…"

"You sure do clean up nice, Beary…"

"Watch it, Jude," Cade chuckled, smirking, and laid a possessive hand on Holly's shoulder. She was his girl, and the other guy needed to back off – and he felt Holly's hand touch his where it rested, almost in silent support.

"Have a good evening, fellas… and Happy Thanksgiving," she said, waving. "I'll box everything up nicely."

"I sure do like ol' Beary…"

"Usually things get crazy around the holidays… this was downright homey."

"I liked it – and yeah. It reminded me of eating at my folks place."

"Beary's good for the captain…"

"They're a nice match and complement each other well."

"You sound like a woman saying stuff like that, Jude! Get your hormone levels checked, boy…"

"Mayberry, take it easy on the kid."

"Man, ain't nobody says things like ‘Oh, you're a cute pair' – except Oprah – oh, and maybe Ruth Miller. That woman's got stars in her eyes." Cade shut the door behind the group, effectively leaving them alone to put up the Christmas tree.

"I think your team liked your first Thanksgiving here at your home," she smiled shyly, rising to her feet. "This was so nice, Cade."

"It's not over either," he suggested, pointing at the tree. "Let's get this in the stand, water it, and then I want to spend some time kissing my girl."

"What about the popcorn garlands?" she chuckled as he made a beeline for her – and not the tree. "Aren't we going to hang them?"

"Yep," he whispered, pulling her close. "Hang them all… every last strand…"

Cade felt Holly respond as she curled her arms around his neck, melting into his embrace. He adored how well they seemed to just know each other, as they meshed in a way he never expected. He loved the taste of her, the feel, the way she filled the space around him with her energy, and knew he would never get enough of her.

Breaking the kiss between them, he nearly groaned as he saw her bite her lower lip and look up at him at the same time that her fingers threaded through the back of his hair. Yeah, he got goose bumps at that combo and felt a shiver of electricity run up his spine. Leaning forward to kiss her again, he paused and drew back slightly, smiling.

"You know Rodney is right," he whispered. "Usually, things get crazy around the holidays."

"Oh?" she said huskily, giving him that look that set his blood on fire. He could imagine that look, freshly rumpled and sitting up in bed and smiled. Oh yeah, he'd been having quite a few thoughts about this woman that slammed into his world and gave his heart a jolt.

"Reckless, wonderful, crazy things because they are so happy."

"Happiness can do that to a person."

"So can love…" he said softly, not looking away from her gaze as they stood there, holding each other. He loved seeing those hazel eyes melt with comprehension, understanding, and hope. She had this way of making him feel like he was the very center of her world – and he wanted to be there. "I love you, princess. I know this is new between us, but I think you are probably the most spectacular person I've ever met."

Cade saw her swallow, and her eyes got shiny with tears. He didn't say anything and felt his heart clench in his chest. Maybe it was too soon for him to say something like that – and what if she didn't feel the same? Was it too soon? Was he about to get his heart broken?

"Are you sure?" she asked in the most insecure, timid voice that he'd ever heard, and his heart flopped wildly in his chest. She was so soft, gentle, and feminine deep down inside. He marveled at how beautiful her soul was and how easily she let him in.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," he began hoarsely – and started as she threw her arms around his shoulders, leaping up on him. "Whoa!" he exclaimed… and then laughed as he realized she was hugging him and kicking her legs with excitement.

"You can't change your mind!"

"I'm not," he laughed. "I promise I'm not."

"And you can't get tired of me…"

"Not gonna happen," he grinned, hugging her close and burying his face against her shoulder as he held her, spinning her around slightly before setting her down. "I love you, and I really want this to go far between us – and I'm hoping you feel the…"

"I love you," she blurted out, clasping his hands within hers between the two of them, her eyes huge. "You are my very own Hostess snack-and-a-half. I love you and think you're sooo incredibly appealing, taste divine, and I crave this between us like a crack addict needing a fix. I've had a crush on you for the longest time and…"

Cade laughed happily – and tugged her back into his arms, hugging her again. They were just standing there, holding each other, giggling like a couple of fools, and savoring this moment between them, between stolen kisses.

"I love that you have a crush on me…"

"I can't believe all of this… are you sure?"

"I know this is fast, but I really mean it. I want to date, to hold hands, to be around each other all the time."

"Oh gosh," she exclaimed in a gush, laughing. "This is the best Christmas present ever – and it's not even Christmas yet!"

"Does that mean we're celebrating together?"

"You are never gonna shake me," she admitted, laughing happily as a tear slid down her cheek. He leaned forward to kiss the tear away, smoothing back her curls, and smiled. "I'm going to be the best girlfriend, I swear."

"Just be you," he whispered, kissing her tenderly.

Two days later, Cade was still in heaven. He was so happy and had so many wild things running through his head. He hadn't been joking about the holidays making people reckless because he was considering buying Holly an engagement ring.

Him… married?

He could actually see it, too.

"Guys?" Cade asked unexpectedly while they were all sitting around the television watching the news one evening, eating dinner. Mayberry had made a thick, salty beef stew, and the cold front that had come through had finally put a nip in the air. They were even talking about a chance of snow flurries in the twenty-one-day forecast, which just blew his mind. "I need something special to do with Holly for Christmas. Do they do something in town here like they did at Halloween?"

"Oh yeah, Sweet Bloom puts on a big ol' show," Rodney admitted, looking at him slyly. "Why? You gonna pop the question?"

"Ignore him," Mayberry grumbled. "Darn fool. Everyone knows you wait until springtime and do it at the wishing well…"

"Wait, what?"

"The wishing well. In the center of town, just off Bluebonnet Drive, there's that big Christmas tree and that white well in the distance – that's the wishing well."

"Oh yeah! He's gotta propose at the wishing well in the spring. It's so pretty with all the flowers and you can hear the marching band sometimes in the distance practicing. It's just really romantic and dreamy," Jude sighed dramatically, and you could have heard a pin drop as all of them stared at the man. "What? A guy can be romantic and emotional, you know?"

"Jude, that's actually pretty nice," Cade admitted. "But I thought about asking Holly to marry me at Christmastime. Do you think she would mind if there weren't any flowers? I mean, if I had to, I could go put Christmas lights on the well and make it look festive…"

"Oh, pshaw," Jude waved him off. "The whole town square will be lit up, brother. We go all out here. There's gonna be a Santa Village for the kids with reindeer, caroling, a nativity scene, plus there's the annual window decorating contest."

"You're kidding."

"Nope."

"He's telling the truth," Rodney said with a full mouth, nodding. "You could ask her to marry you over there."

"Scoops puts out their holiday flavors. Does ol' Beary like ice cream?"

"Wait… everyone decorates their windows near the town square?"

"Yeah."

"Do we decorate the garage windows?" Cade asked, an idea forming in his head. "Can I decorate the windows? Does anyone mind if I do?"

"Can I help?" Jude's face broke into a huge smile. "I guess we better get started planning because you've only got a few weeks until Christmas is here…"

"I want it to be special," Cade warned. "I need her to feel precious because I can't imagine life without her."

Holly would never again feel like Cinderella if he could help it. His beloved princess might get grungy, filthy, or be up to her elbows in debris – but it was honest, hard work, and to him, there was nothing wrong with that in the slightest. If anything, it raised his level of respect for her. He was going to make sure that her life with him began with a Happily Ever After… and never ended.

"Got it bad, huh?" Mayberry chortled, his ruddy face beaming with understanding and amusement.

"Oh, you all have no idea," Cade chuckled, not bothering to hide it.