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  “I’m good. How about you? How’s life in the wild, wild west?”

  I laugh. “It’s great. I needed this, and I’m feeling more and more at home. I just found the perfect Christmas gift for you,” I shimmy in my seat.

  “I’m so happy to hear that. We miss you here, but I know you’re happy and that’s all that matters. Well, that and this gift you’re telling me about. Show me,” she demands.

  “Nope." I shake my head. "You’re going to have to wait ’til it arrives. No cheatin’.” I nod once and scream, grabbing my chest with my free hand. “What in God’s name?” I look out the door window and find Knox standing on the outside of my car, head tilted back in a fit of laughter.

  “Are you okay?” worry laces my grandmother’s voice.

  “Yes, but someone else might be about to die,” I say as I roll down the window so he can hear me.

  Knox continues to laugh as he tries to speak. “What are you doing, taking a selfie?”

  “I’m talking to my Geema.” I turn the phone a bit to show him.

  “Who’s that, sweetie? He’s handsome.” My eyes widen in mortification as her voice rings around us.

  Knox chuckles. “Geema! He can hear you.”

  “Oh, well, I was never shy around the boys. Let me take a look at him.” She squints her eyes and adjusts her glasses. I’m about to die.

  I turn the phone, heat prickling my neck. “It’s the infamous Geema. It’s very nice to meet you, ma’am,” Knox bows his head a bit, causing me to laugh. She’s not the Queen.

  “So, I’m infamous, huh? How much time have you been spending with my granddaughter?” Her words are curious, and I’m afraid of what she’ll say next.

  “As much as she gives me,” Knox doesn’t flinch.

  “Good girl, make him work for it.” I could imagine her patting my hand in solidarity.

  “Ooooh-kay, Geema, I’ll call you later. Preferably when I’m home alone, and you can’t embarrass me anymore.”

  “Have fun,” she sing-songs. I end the call and look at Knox with a sheepish grin.

  “She’s a riot,” Knox says.

  “Ugh.” I drop my head to the steering wheel.

  “I never thought I’d see Ainsley Harding embarrassed.”

  I roll up my window, ignoring his comment, and open the door to stand outside. “I guess there’s a first time for everything,” I deadpan, which only makes him laugh more.

  “What are you up to?” Knox’s hands sneak into his pockets.

  “I was Christmas shopping.”

  “Already?” His eyebrows pop up.

  “I need to send the gifts to Texas, so I’m getting an early start. I found the perfect gift for Geema.” I clap my hands and walk to my trunk. I pull out the vinyl album and show Knox.

  “Is she a Johnny Cash fan?” He nods, impressed.

  “Biggest fan and she refuses to listen to music on anythin’ that isn’t vinyl,” I explain. “It’s perfect. I can’t wait for her to receive it. I just wish I could see her face when she does. Maybe we can video chat now that she’s learned how to,” I think of ways to be as present as possible when she opens her gift.

  “You miss her, right?” Knox shifts, crossing one leg over the other.

  “Yeah, but I’m used to it by now. I’ve lived away from home for so long.”

  “It’s still hard,” he nods in understanding.

  “Yeah,” I trail off. “So, what are you up to?”

  “Enjoying the sunshine.” He faces the sky, the light hitting the few grays in his beard and temples.

  “It is nice out—cold, but nice,” I wrap my arms around my body.

  “What else did you buy?” He juts his chin toward my opened trunk.

  “Only the coolest thing ever,” I brag and reach for the antique sled.

  “Is that a sled?”

  “Duh. I would expect more from you seeing as you’re from around here,” I tease. “I thought it would be so cool to try.”

  “Um, would it work?” he furrows his brows and reaches out to hold the old, wooden sled.

  “It looks like it’s in good condition. Only one way to find out,” I challenge.

  “I’m pretty sure this is for kids. It’ll probably hold you, but it definitely won’t hold my weight.”

  I cross my arms and give him an offended look. “Probably hold me?”

  “Um, what I mean is, it’s for kids. I’m sure it will hold you. Shit.” He runs a hand through his hair, and I cackle.

  “I’m only kidding.”

  “That was wrong.” He blows out a breath, shaking his head.

  “What do you say? Are you up for testing this old thing?” I point to the sled in his hands.

  “Hell, yeah.”

  “Great, hop in and tell me which way to go.” I grab the sled and put it back in the trunk before sliding into the driver’s seat. I notice Knox shaking his head through the rearview mirror as he walks around my car and sits in the passenger side.

  Following his directions, we go back to where we went tubing. I shiver as I step out of the car, not dressed with enough layers for this. Knox already has the sled in his hands, and we walk up the hill.

  “Okay, you go first.” He places it on the ground and holds it as I settle, breathing deeply as it holds my weight. I rush down the hill, laughing, and hit the bottom with a thud.

  “That was so much fun,” I scream.

  “Come back,” he calls out, and I meet him at the top.

  “Your turn.” I place it just how he had before and wait for him to sit.

  He shakes his head. “You get on and I’ll climb in after you.”

  “Are you sure?” I tilt my head. “I’m not sure it’ll hold us both.” My eyebrows pinch together.

  “It will. You rode it perfectly. It’s sturdier than I thought,” he’s so confident.

  “Okay,” I open my eyes and pinch my lips. I’m not so sure.

  After I sit, Knox gets on behind me—his body close to mine, and his legs caging my sides. I shiver and hold on to the side rails as he pushes us forward. We slide faster than I did on my own. It’s bumpy as we reach the bottom, and we land hard, hearing a crack.

  “Crap,” Knox breathes out, and I turn to see his body is slanted. “I think it broke.”

  I can’t hold in my laughter as I struggle to stand and see part of his behind through the wooden slabs.

  “Very funny. Want to help me up?” He lifts his hand in the air, but I’m clenching my stomach as I laugh.

  “Hey!” I screech when he throws a snowball at me.

  “I needed to get you to stop laughing and help me,” he replies with an excuse.

  “You’re in no position to start a snowball fight,” I threaten.

  “Ainsley,” he warns as I pack snow in my hands. His eyes widen right before the snowball hits his chin. He growls and gets himself up from the ground. I run away from him, remembering the last time we had a snowball fight. When he catches me, he smashes snow in my face as he holds me around the waist.

  I yell and try to get away, but his hold is strong. I stop fighting against him and look up into his face as I push snow from my hair. His hand reaches up to swipe some from my shoulder.

  “Sorry I broke your sled.”

  “It’s okay,” I smile. “It cost like ten bucks, and it was a gamble,” I shrug. “At least we had fun.”

  “That we did.” He leans in and kisses the top of my head. “Thank you,” he murmurs against my hair.

  “For what?” I lean back to look at him.

  “For asking me to join you. I know things are a little off after our conversation the other night, but I’m ready to have you in my life.”

  Before I could argue, he runs his thumb over my lips, and I wait for the kiss. He winks and takes a step back, leaving me wanting to feel his lips against mine. I groan and cross my arms. What a tease.

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  Thank you to the readers for taking the time
to read my words and fall in love with my characters. I love hearing from you, and your words of encouragement fuel me to keep writing and creating stories for you. A big thanks to the readers in Fabiola’s Fab Reads and my review team for being there whenever I want to share a teaser, need help choosing a name, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee and chat.

  I am grateful to work with such an amazing team. Bex, thank you for taking the time to edit and help me make this story that much better. Amy Queau, thank you for your creative talent and patience with this cover. Claire and Wendy from Bare Naked Words, you ladies are so helpful and keep me sane during a stressful time. Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you to Cary for formatting this book and making it pretty on the inside. Joy, thank you for working so hard with Happily Ever Insta.

  To my betas, Joy, Ally, and Veronica, thank you for taking the time to read this book in its raw form and provide feedback, so that it could be the best story for Dex and Reese.

  Every so often, you come across people that simply get you. Rachel and Christy, you’re always there, no matter time differences, writing schedules, or what’s going on in life. Thank you for being my Soapy Thighs Sisters. #SoapyThighsForever

  I have to thank all my author pals, Cary, Brittany, Ashley, and Amber. You ladies are there whenever I need you, whether it’s to brainstorm, vent, or celebrate our successes. Having your support makes this journey a little easier.

  To the authors and bloggers that unconditionally support me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Working together, lifting each other, is what makes this book world (and the entire world) a better place. Kindness goes a long way.

  Fabiola Francisco loves the simplicity—and kick—of scotch on the rocks. She follows Hemingway’s philosophy—write drunk, edit sober. She writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance, dipping her pen into new adult and young adult. Her moods guide her writing, taking her anywhere from sassy and sexy romances to dark and emotion-filled love stories.

  Writing has always been a part of her life, penning her own life struggles as a form of therapy through poetry. She still stays true to her first love, poems, while weaving longer stories with strong heroines and honest heroes. She aims to get readers thinking about life and love while experiencing her characters’ journeys.

  She is continuously creating stories as she daydreams. Her other loves are country music, exploring the outdoors, and reading.

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