Page 58 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

Emmaline

Work this week was quite a rollercoaster.

The emergency department is hardly ever dull, but I swear there was something in the air.

Or maybe there was a full moon. I know as someone who works in healthcare, I should follow the moon cycle because there’s something about different phases of the moon, and its effect on hospitals and nursing facilities that makes all hell break loose.

Not only did it make the ER crazy, but it seemed to have taken its toll on Colette.

Granted, taking over running Santa’s Workshop at the youth center for the first time might have had more to do with it.

I agreed a while back to help the day of, as well as helping to decorate days before.

She worked her charms on us and got our whole group involved, except Callum and Cori, who can’t until tomorrow due to work.

The town’s youth center has been around for as long as I can remember and it shows.

It’s completely outdated and it’s taking a lot of work to make it look like something , but I think we’ve really done it this time.

Colette found different holiday wall tapestries to put up to set different scenes, plastic candy canes and fake snow to line the path to Santa’s house.

She even found a company that rents out photo booths and has one set up in the back corner.

And while I expected to see the old plastic house they’d used in the past, in its place is a log cabin shed—decked out in fake snow and all the works to fit the vibe.

“Where did that come from?” I murmur to Mia.

“She went to Dad and asked if they could donate something to make this year’s event better.

He told her that he’d have to see what he could do since they’ve been busy.

” She rolls her eyes before saying, “Apparently, he was going to do something much smaller than that, but Theo caught wind of everything and took over. He is the one who built that . . . for her. ”

I can’t keep my mouth from falling open. “Seriously? Does she know?”

Mia scoffs, “Do you think that if she knew Theo did this, she would’ve accepted it?”

“True.” Shaking my head, “I wish they’d figure their issues out or at the very least just finally tell us what happened.”

“Maybe one day. So . . . When are you going to tell me about your weekend away? I’ve been patiently waiting—and waiting—and you’ve given me nothing. Did you use some of that fun stuff I gifted you?”

I chuckle, knowing that I didn’t tell her anything just to see how long she’d wait. She is a very impatient woman. “I’m surprised you made it this long. We had a great time—in and out of the bedroom. So yeah, I used some of that stuff.”

Mia grins, almost maniacally. “Naughty, naughty. Did he manage to get you in the hot tub?”

My left eyebrow raises. “Be serious. You knew I wouldn’t get in that thing. I’m pretty sure he’ll never get in one again either.”

She lovingly rolls her eyes at me and pats my arm. “You’re such a weirdo. He was really excited about that aspect of the cabin, so I’m surprised he gave in so easily. Spencer must love you to have given that up.”

I feel my face flush and before I can get away, Mia looks at me and squeals. “ Oh my god! Did he tell you he loved you? ”

Swatting her arm, I whisper, “Shush. If you must know, he did—after we ended up on the floor covered in brownie mix and caramel.”

“That’s so cute. Did you say it back?”

“He didn’t mean to say it. It popped out while we were laughing. But when he realized he said it, he told me I didn’t have to say it back. Then he went on to tell me again.”

“Babes, please tell me you said it back.”

I give a small shake. “No. The last person I said that to ended up hurting me in so many ways. What if when I say it back, the same thing happens?”

“Ems, I love you and I know that Chance did a number on you, but if you think someone as kind as Spencer would ever pull that shit, you might as well break up with him now. Before you hurt him. It’s not fair to keep comparing him to Chance when they are nothing alike.”

She pauses before looking towards Colette, who’s glaring at us. “We’d better get back to setting the tables up. Boss lady looks mad.”

I laugh, albeit uncomfortably from the scolding I just received. “Right. Let’s get this done.”

***

I’ve been trying to go to sleep for the last two hours—and even took some melatonin.

Except, my mind won’t turn off. I can’t stop thinking about what Mia said earlier. I know it isn’t fair to compare Spencer and Chance because at each of their cores, they’re totally different.

Chance only thought about himself, and on the off chance he thought of me, it was for his benefit.

Spence is selfless. Yes, he makes sure he gets the things he wants in life, but he’ll go through the trenches if it means he can bring joy to someone else.

And not once has he ever expected anything in return for all of the little—and big—things he’s done for me.

Spencer is exactly the kind of man I thought Chance was before we actually began dating .

After twenty more minutes of spiraling, and trying to keep these men and my relationship with each of them in separate and neat folders in my mind, I finally start to doze off. With my last thought revolving around how big Spencer smiled each time he told me he loved me.

All morning as I’m getting ready, and on my way to the youth center, I can’t help but think my that mom is right—Spencer does look at me like I’m the only person in the universe that matters to him.

He’s given me exactly what I’ve always wanted without me needing to directly ask.

Spence clearly remembers my disastrous speech and took it to heart, and that alone is enough to make me want to cry. I think—no, I know—I’m falling for him.

As scary as that is, I want to love someone who really loves me back. And I’ve got to be honest, I’m not sure I could ever find someone that makes me feel the way I do when I’m with him. So maybe, as it turns out, I do love him.

I love Spencer Hale.

But even better, I’m lucky enough that he loves me, for me. And I’m ready to explore this feeling with him fully.

While this is truly a life-altering realization, I need to bring myself back into the present and head inside instead of sitting in my car.

Since this is an all-day event that precedes the start of the Winter Festival, I packed a change of clothes.

Sure, the outfit that Colette gave me is adorable, but I’m not sure I want to prance around town looking like I escaped from the North Pole after being held hostage well into my adult years.

I’m basically a life-sized Elf on the Shelf.

The red, long-sleeved top has a white collar that goes all the way around, the white flared skirt is adorned with bedazzled red snowflakes.

Instead of the leggings that came with the outfit, I opted for red sparkly tights and white glitter shoes.

I might have also added glitter freckles over my cheeks to really tie the look all together and gave myself the persona “Sparkles” because of them.

I reminded Spencer that I was going to be busy today until we meet this evening in the town square.

All he said was “ no worries. I love you. ” I made sure not to spiral too much about the first part of that response because he also reminded me that he loves me.

So, imagine my surprise when not even twenty minutes later, I see a walking, talking, Christmas tree in the form of my hunky boyfriend.

Rushing over, I swat his chest. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d be here?”

Spencer smiles, big and bright. “Colette called me the other day to see if I would help out. Whoever was supposed to man the Santa sign-in table ended up needing surgery and couldn’t make it.

I agreed and her only requirement was to ‘ be festive. ’” He shrugs, sweeping a hand over his outfit.

“What’s more festive than a Christmas tree? ”

Shaking my head. “You’re telling me you had this sweater tucked away somewhere?

Meaning you’ve worn it before?” The sweater itself is your usual holiday green, but what makes it look like a tree?

Well, that would be the tinsel garland wrapped around the whole thing with several tacky small ornaments attached.

Laughing he says, “No way. I went to a thrift store in the city while waiting for a meeting and found the sweater as soon as I walked in. It was meant to be. And I didn’t want to wear plain old jeans, which is how I came to find these very lovely brown corduroy pants—I feel like they give the illusion of a tree trunk. ”

“You’re definitely festive.”

“Really? That’s all you wanna say about it?”

I stifle a laugh at his whining. “I’m so sorry. You’re the most handsome tree I’ve ever seen. Like a mighty oak.”

Spencer pinches my side then looks me up and down. “And what are you supposed to be, you brat?”

Giving a twirl, making sure my skirt flutters about, I proudly announce, “I’m Sparkles, an Elf on the Shelf! Santa’s favorite to be exact.”

“Ah. Sparkles. Hence the freckles, tights, and shoes?”

I nod. “Yep. I know it’s very ‘on the nose’ but the kiddos will eat it up. Those creepy little dolls are huge with the younger bunch.”

“I’m not exactly sure I’ve ever seen them, so I’ll have to take your word. ”

“As you should. Did you bring a change of clothes, or are you planning to wear that later?”

“I didn’t think about it. However, this sweater is actually pretty cozy. Don’t tell me you’re changing,” he pouts. “You look so adorable like this.”

“I guess I could stay in this. I mean whether I change into something else, or stay in this, I’d still have the same festive lingerie underneath. But I’ll keep this on all night,” I shrug.

Spencer grips my elbow, pulling me closer. “Wear whatever you feel is most comfortable. I’m going to tear it off you later anyway.” My brows shoot up. “I mean if you’ll let me,” he sheepishly adds.

Chuckling, I lean up, placing a quick kiss on his cheek, then whisper, “Not only will I let you take them off, I might actually beg you.”

He groans. “Get away from me before I drag you away to some dark closet. And then Colette will have both of our asses.”