Chapter Ten

Drake

“I can’t believe it,” Wynter scurries down the romance aisle, her bright smile practically lighting up the room. “The festival’s in two days, and I think everything will be done in time.” She stretches across the counter, giving my beard a playful tug. “Let’s do some celebrating tonight. And by the way, don’t you ever shave this off. I like the way it tickles my thighs.”

I bite back a grin as Mrs. Appleton strolls past with her six kids in tow. “You’re being a naughty girl, sunshine.” I lean in, kissing the tip of her nose.

“Wait till tonight. I’m going to show you just how naughty I can be.” She bats her lashes, then dashes off past the reindeer display.

I look around the library, taking in the whirlwind of Christmas decorations. It’s over the top—Christmas on steroids—but it’s all Wynter. And I wouldn’t change a thing.

Because I love Wynter.

Every morning, when she climbs out of bed, yawning and stretching like a cat, her hair a wild mess, I fall a little more in love. Every night, when she curls up against me, her arm draped across my chest, I wonder how I ever slept without her.

I’m living my best life, all because of her.

I pick up my coffee cup and chuckle when I see the Grinch staring back at me. My girl is full of surprises.

The door to the library bursts open, a blast of icy air sweeping inside. Mr. Abernathy rushes in, looking pale and distraught.

“Mr. Abernathy?” I round the counter. “Are you alright? You don’t look so good. Here,” I pull over a chair, “sit down. Do you need some water?”

“No, no,” he shakes his head, collapsing into the seat. “I just need a minute.” He pulls off his glasses, burying his face in his hands. “I don’t know what to do.”

Wynter walks by, an armful of garland in hand. She immediately sets it down, rushing over. “Bill, what’s wrong?”

“My mother’s had a stroke,” he mumbles. “Doctors say it doesn’t look good. I tried to get a flight to Florida, but with the storm and all, there wereno flights. We’re going to have to drive. If Millie and I take turns, we can make it in twenty-four hours if we push.”

“What can we do to help?” Wynter asks. “Would you like us to watch your house? Feed your dogs? Drake and I will do whatever you need.”

Hearing her say "Drake and I" makes my chest swell. It feels… right.

Bill shakes his head, taking a deep breath. “Rusty’s going to take the dogs to his kennel, so they’re fine. It’s the boys I’m worried about.”

“Boys?” I frown. “I thought your sons moved to Washington state.”

“Our foster boys.” He takes a shaky breath. “Millie and I took in four boys a couple of weeks ago. We were so excited to give them a real Christmas. But now… with my mother… the state says they’ll have to separate them while we’re gone.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I know what that’s like—being ripped away, shuffled around like an afterthought. And it stirs something deep inside me, something I haven’t felt in years.

Wynter doesn’t hesitate. “They don’t have to separate them. We’ll take them in.”

I blink, my heart stuttering to a stop as her words sink in.

She turns to me, her eyes shining with determination. “Gran left me that big house for a reason. We’ve got plenty of room for four boys. We’ll give them an amazing Christmas.” She reaches for my hand. “I think the universe is whispering in my ear.”

I feel like the ground has shifted beneath me. Wynter’s offer is so generous, so full of love and compassion. And it’s so… her. But all I can think about are those boys and what it would mean to give them the kind of Christmas I never had. The kind Wynter’s been giving me without even knowing it.

“Wynter, I can’t ask you to—” Bill begins, but she cuts him off with a wave of her hand.

“You didn’t ask, Bill. I’m offering, we’re offering,” she says, her voice firm. “Those boys deserve to stay together. And we’ll make sure they have a Christmas they’ll never forget.”

Bill’s eyes well up with gratitude, and for a moment, he sits there, blinking. “I don’t know how to thank you,” he finally says, his voice cracking. “I was so worried about them.”

“No thanks are necessary,” I say. “We’ll take good care of them for as long as you need.”

Wynter’s hand tightens around mine. This isn’t just about Christmas. This is about us—about the kind of life we could build together, the type of love she brings into everything she touches.

“We’ll make sure they’re okay,” Wynter adds.

Bill stands, a little unsteady on his feet, but there’s a look of relief in his eyes. “I’ll never forget this. You’re giving them a chance to have a real Christmas, something they’ve never had before. Millie’s going to be so grateful.”

When the door closes behind Bill, Wynter turns to me, her eyes shining with excitement. “What do you think?”

I pull her into my arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I think you’re incredible.”

She grins up at me, her arms looping around my neck. “You think we can handle four boys for a few days?”

“I think we can handle anything together,” I murmur, brushing my lips against hers. “I need to tell you something.”

“Alright.”

I take a deep breath, “I was one of those kids.”

She straightens, her eyes widening. “What do you mean?”

I rub the back of my neck, nervous because I’ve never told my story to anyone. “I grew up in foster care,” I say quietly. “I was bounced from one home to another, never staying in a place long enough to belong. Christmas is something I ever had. Not the way you talk about it, not the way you’ve made it here.”

Her eyes soften, “Honey… why didn’t you tell me?”

I shrug, “It’s not exactly something I ever talk about. But with us taking in these boys… I know what it’s like to be them. To feel like you’re just being passed around like you don’t really have a home…like you’re not worthy of being loved.”

Wynter squeezes my hand, “You are worthyandyou are loved. I love you, Drake. With all my heart, I love you.”

“I love you too, sunshine. With all my heart.”

She wraps her arms around my waist, resting her head against my chest. “You’re a good man with an amazing heart. We’ll give those boys a Christmas they’ll never forget.”

I glance down at her, my chest tightening. “This is going to be a Christmas I’ll never forget because I’m with you.” I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. I feel lighter, like a weight I didn’t even know I was carrying has lifted.

“I’m glad you told me,” she whispers. “Thank you for trusting me with that.”

I kiss the top of her head, my heart swelling. “I trust you with everything, Wynter.”

“I trust you, too.” She tips her head back and smiles. “Now hurry up and kiss me. We’ve got boys to pick up.”

I press my lips to hers, realizing that the love I’ve always been searching for, the home I’ve always wanted, is right here in my arms.

Wynter is my home.

She’s my everything.

And before this week is over, I’m going to make sure she knows it.