Page 19 of Stolen Holidays (The Miller Brothers #5)

eighteen

Eli

“Stop with the fucking leg bouncing already. You’re shaking the damn table.” Mason, the prickly fucker, glowers at me. He’s still super pissed at me for allowing Emery to help me plan my Christmas surprise.

Allow. I internally scoff. If Emery heard half of what he’s said behind her back, she’d kick his ass.

You don’t allow a woman like Emery to do anything.

She does it because she wants to. And in this case, she offered to help because she loves planning weddings.

She loves her job and bringing events to life.

The wedding stuff might be her side gig, but I hope someday she makes the switch full time. Everything she plans is gold.

“Fuck off. Mom and Dad are on their way.” I rub my sweaty hands over my slacks. It’s in the low forties, but I can’t stop sweating. I’m nervous as hell about tonight.

We are outside by the picnic tables, getting ready to have dinner around the firepit.

Some well-placed patio heaters surround us so that we can enjoy the sunset despite the chilly weather.

The owners have done a wonderful job to make the stay feel homey and special with holiday-themed activities, like tonight’s light show.

“So? It’s just Mom and Dad.” Mason shrugs and takes a sip of his beer.

I’ve been keeping this surprise close to the vest, in case Diana backed out. My stomach twists nervously into a knot. I hope Callie isn’t mad at me for convincing her mom to join us.

“So, they have one of Callie’s presents with them,” I admit.

Cam blows out a breath. “Damn, dude, another gift? You’re spoiling her.”

I grin at my brother. “Aren’t you doing the same with Talia?”

“Yes. But keep your voice down. She gets all pissy at me for buying her shit.” Cam looks over his shoulder as if he might get caught.

Jace barks a laugh. “Why does that not surprise me?”

“Because she’s exactly like the rest of the women in our lives: difficult.” Cam huffs. He takes a huge bite of his pulled pork sandwich.

“Speak for yourself. My wife’s an angel.” Mason leans back and stares across the hearth at Emery, where she’s sitting with Callie, Rylann, and Talia. The four of them are laughing and chatting away.

“She’d have to be to deal with your devilish ass,” Cam teases.

“Ha-ha,” Mason grunts, not amused by Cameron’s humor.

“Rylann loves presents. She just prefers the sentimental kind, is all.” Jace shifts Riah to his other leg as she claps and babbles, shoving meat and vegetables into her mouth.

“Like kids,” Cam jokes.

We all crack up, even Jace.

“Not this year. Ry’s making me wait.” The gleam in his eye has me thinking my big brother has something else in mind.

Cam mumbles under his breath. “I don’t blame her.”

Jace points his fork at Cameron. “Just you wait. Becoming a father is one of life’s greatest joys. You’ll hold that little boy or girl in your arms, and you’ll be so full of love you’ll feel like your chest is gonna burst. It’s amazing.”

Listening to Jace describe fatherhood makes my chest ache. Now that Callie is mine, I can’t wait to start a family with her. We already have the house, and in three days, we’ll be married. All we need to do is add a couple of kids to the mix, and we’ll be living the dream.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to find the text I’ve been waiting for.

Mom: We are ten minutes away. We would have been there sooner, but your father has been driving like an old man.

Eli: We’ll meet you out front. Make sure Diana steps out last.

Mom: You got it. Callie is going to be so surprised.

Eli: I hope so. How’s Diana?

Mom: She is very excited. We’ve had a wonderful time chatting. She is just as lovely as her daughter.

Eli: Great. I’ll see you soon.

I shove my phone in my pocket, push my chair away from the table, and stand. “That was Mom. They’ll be here in a few minutes. I’m going to get Callie and meet them out front.”

Ditching my brothers, I rush to Callie.

“Ladies. I am sorry to interrupt, but I need a moment with my girl. Callie?” I hold out my hand.

Without hesitation, she places her hand in mine. I lift her up and lead her towards the front of the inn.

“Eli, what’s going on?” She looks at me with worry in her deep-brown eyes.

“Your next present is about to arrive any minute now.”

Callie groans. “I told you, no more presents. You’ve given me too many already.”

“Woman.” I yank her hand and capitalize on her imbalance, pulling her to my chest. She grips my biceps as I curl my arms around her back.

Unable to help myself, I kiss her sweet lips.

She tastes sweet and tart, like the lemonade she’s been drinking.

“How many times do I have to tell you? If I want to buy you a present, I will. Okay?”

Callie bites her lip, fighting back a smile. “Whatever you say, handsome.”

“Good.”

She’s a little liar. She loves it when I give her presents.

Tires crunch gravel as my parents pull up in their rental car. Dad cuts the engine, and he steps out of the car along with my mom. Both have wide, rakish grins on their face as I lead Callie down the porch steps to the car.

“Sweet girl.” My mom rushes Callie and wraps her in a motherly hug, which Callie returns.

“Karen, it’s so good to see you. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Callie,” Mom returns as she squeezes Callie tight.

“Alright, break it up. It’s my turn.” My mom releases Callie with a scowl as my dad cuts in and gives Callie a bear hug, lifting her off the ground.

My heart soars, knowing that my parents adore Callie.

Callie chuckles as Dad sets her back onto the ground. “Daddy Miller. It’s so good to see you.”

My dad wiggles his eyebrows at my mom. “Hear that, angel face? She called me ‘daddy’.”

“You old coot. I swear, you’re incorrigible.” My mom scowls at him.

“And you love it.” Dad smacks a kiss on Mom’s face, making her blush. She totally loves it.

“Guys, focus. The present,” I remind them.

“Oh, yes. Sorry.” Dad rushes to the back door and waits for my order.

I cup Callie’s cheeks and turn her head so she has no choice but to look me in the eye. “This next present was too hard to wrap, so I had to get it specially delivered to you. Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” I give her one last kiss before I nudge her forward and give my dad the all-clear.

Dad opens the door, and two booted feet appear, then Diana’s head pops up over the passenger door.

Callie gasps and jumps back in surprise, clutching her chest. “Mom?”

“Hey, honey.” Diana takes a few tentative steps towards Callie, who turns to look at me in awe.

“You did this for me?” Emotion coats her voice as she tries to keep it together.

“I’d do anything for you.”

“I love you, Elijiah Miller.” On tiptoes, Callie kisses my cheek and then runs into Diana’s waiting arms. They hug and cry for what feels like hours in the driveway.

Jace pats me on the back. “You did good, brother.”

“Thanks. I knew I had to get her here for Christmas Day.” I was scared Diana wouldn’t take the risk. I think having Silla behind bars is helping Diana find her voice too. Mother and daughter need each other, now more than ever and especially during the holidays.

“Good choice. She looks beyond happy with her present.” Jace’s observation has me watching Callie.

She holds onto Diana’s hand like she’s afraid her mom will disappear. But her smile does me in. Callie’s entire face is lit up like a Christmas tree.

“She does, doesn’t she?”

“It’s always the sentimental gifts.” Jace winks at me before taking off to welcome our parents.

I’m hit with a bolt of electricity straight through the heart as Callie’s eyes find mine. She blows me a kiss just as the lightshow on the inn kicks on. The dancing lights sparkle in her abyss-colored eyes, taking my breath away.

Callie is hands down the best Christmas present I’ve ever received, and I plan on cherishing my gift until my last breath.