Page 60 of Snowed Inn For Christmas

“I would love that.I can’t wait to move here and be close to our family,” she said, smiling at everyone.

An awkward silence fell around the table as everyone waited for Patrick to talk.

“What about you, Uncle Pat?”Daisy asked, putting him on the spot.

He cleared his throat and set his fork down before lifting his eyes to meet hers.

“What would you like for me to do, sweet Daisy?”

“I want you to spend Christmas with us every year!”she cheered loudly, lifting her fork as a few bits of mashed potatoes fell from it.

“What about other holidays?”

“Yes!Those too!”

He pulled his mouth to the side as he nodded, considering something.

“What are you up to?”Julie asked, pointing her fork at him.

“Nothing.”

“You’re a shitty liar,” she continued.“If you’re planning to come here for the holidays just to keep an eye onus,” she gestured between her and me, “you don’t need to bother.”

“No.Not everything is about you, Julie,” he teased with a playful grin.“Though I’m still debating kicking your ass for dating my sister.”He raised an eyebrow at me.

“I’d like to see you try,” I said with a snort as I took a sip of my water.

“We’ll have plenty of time for that,” he replied with a sigh.“I’ve decided to buy the cabin next door.”

He pressed his lips together to keep from smiling as Daisy squealed and dropped her fork.

“For real?!”she exclaimed, eyes wider than a saucer.

“For real,” he repeated, grinning at her.“But, there is one condition.”

“What’s that?”Julie asked.

“I refuse to move here and start a new life while having things in my past left unresolved.”He turned to face me.“I’m sorry that I was such an asshole.I should have believed you from the start, and I’m sorry that I ever allowed someone to come between our friendship.While I wasn’t thrilled about you and my sister, you’ve done more than just step up these past few days.You’ve been there for her—for my family, without any hesitation.Just like you always have.I was an idiot for ever believing anything different about you.”

I waited a few seconds before I responded, trying to think about what I wanted to say.

“I’m sorry...that...you were such an idiot,” I said, my cheeks burning from how hard I was smiling.“But I forgive you.”

“You mother fucker,” Patrick said, his chest shaking as he laughed.

“That’s not nice,” Daisy scolded, looking between us.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I assured her.“It’s just how your uncle and I show each other we care.That’s what best friends do.”

Daisy nodded as if this was good enough for her before she forgot about everything and went about devouring her dinner.

“So that’s it?”Julie asked, tilting her head as she stared at her brother.“You’re really leaving New York and moving here?”

“I am.Is that okay with you?I guess I should have asked first.”

“I love that you’ll be so close to us,” Julie said, rolling her eyes as she tried to stop the tears.“I didn’t realize how much I missed having you guys around until I had to think about you guys leaving.It’s like the best gift in the world knowing that you’ll all be here with us.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s thebestgift just yet,” I whispered in her ear as my fingers laced through hers under the table.“I haven’t given youmy giftyet.”