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We traipsed into the house and shook off the snow while discarding coats and then hanging them up. I peeked around the corner from the mudroom, and gazing at Tristan’s home made me empathize with Elizabeth Bennet more than I ever had. Pemberley had left her no choice but to fall in love with Darcy. Just like Tristan’s home had me wishing to wake up here every day for the rest of my life. His cozy great room had an inviting window nook with the perfect view of the falling snow. It made me want to curl up in front of it and read a book. Or maybe snuggle up on his linen sectional in front of the river rock fireplace. Everything from the wood-beam ceiling to the ladder leading up to the loft was a dream come to life for me. The place even smelled inviting—amber mixed with pine, cinnamon, and just a hint of hardwood bacon.
In a word, I was smitten.
Tristan grinned next to me, knowing I was in awe. But he was good enough not to say anything.
I shook the snow out of my hair and took my boots off before I carefully tiptoed the rest of the way in. It was best to enter dreams cautiously.
Quinn ran up to me in the open kitchen, holding Poppy and Coco. She wore a gloating expression, confident her plan was working. “Look who I found.” She handed me my kitten.
I gladly took her. I’d missed the little thing. “You’ve grown so much,” I commented.
“She loves tuna,” Tristan informed me before practically begging, “Make yourself at home. I’ll go start your bath and find something for you to change into.”
I nodded, trying not to feel so at home. But his place called to me. It said, This was all for you.
Tristan darted off toward the back of his house, through a door I assumed led to his bedroom. I had a feeling my dreams were about to become more inviting—and probably scarier.
As soon as he was out of sight, Quinn sidled up to me. “You like him.”
“You think so?”
“I saw the way you kept looking at him in the truck.”
“You mean when we slid and I gripped the seat and squeaked?”
“No,” she giggled. “I mean when you kept smiling over at him and tucking your hair behind your ear.”
“I did not do that,” I babbled, while silently berating myself for being so obvious.
“Oh yes, you did. And that’s okay,” she got serious. “He’s a good guy, Aunt Calista. Like the best. He was always there for me when I needed him. Did you know he even took me to get tampons for the first time?”
I shook my head, wishing it could have been me, but so happy Tristan had stepped up to the plate.
“Yeah, and he didn’t make it embarrassing or anything. And he came to every one of my track meets, even if they were out of town. One time he drove all night just to be there.”
I rubbed my chest. My heart was beating erratically as Tristan was becoming more and more attractive to me. I was moving into the danger zone. I was putting my heart and job on the line. This town and the Grangers were going to make me fight for this. Sure, I was up for it. I loved a good fight. But it wasn’t only my heart and job on the line.
“Aunt Calista,” Quinn choked out. “He was so worried about you this morning when you didn’t come home on time. I can tell he loves you. Please forgive him.”
Firmly holding Poppy with one hand, I rested my free hand on Quinn’s rosy cheek. “I’m working on it, Quinny.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up.
“Yeah.”
I had a feeling I was going to be jumping in the ring soon and going a few rounds with the Grangers. The question was, Would I get knocked out again?
CALISTA
I WALKED OUT OF TRISTAN’S bedroom, wearing one of his plaid button-ups that fit me more like a dress and some of his wool socks. As much as I hated socks, I felt it best to wear them to keep me from begging Tristan to warm up my always-cold feet. The irony of wearing socks wasn’t lost on me. They were my Achilles’ heel. Who knew such a simple thing could take me down?
I’ll tell you what else was going to aid my downfall. Tristan’s bathtub. I’d just had the pleasure of soaking in that incredible freestanding baby while I watched the snow fall and listened to Christmas music. It was heavenly—and a little torturous, as I tried hard not to think about how the tub was big enough for two. There was no doubt who I wished could join me. I realized all I had to do was say the word and I could take a bath here every day for the rest of my life. It was a scary and beautiful thought.
Every second that ticked by, I fell more and more in love with the place. Maybe even more in love with Tristan.
Before I announced myself, I took a moment to stare from the kitchen doorway at Tristan and Quinn roasting marshmallows in the fireplace as it crackled and popped. Quinn laughed as she pulled the ooey gooey confection off the roasting stick and placed it between graham crackers and chocolate. It was the perfect scene.
As tired as I was, I wanted in on the s’mores action, so I pranced into the great room. “Hello.”
