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“You’re more than welcome, sweetheart. I’m just glad you and Arden get to spend Christmas with us. Last year he didn’t leave his cabin.” She gives me another squeeze before pulling away.
My brows furrow. “He didn’t come for Christmas?”
Her smile drops as her eyes find where my mate stands chatting to a group in the living room. “He’s been lost without you. Christmases and birthdays were hard on him. Especially when everyone had their mates.”
My stomach drops. “Oh, I didn’t know.”
He’d told me he was grateful to have met me, that he had been waiting, but he never said how much it affected him.
I scratch the back of my neck. Maybe I should have run away sooner. Then I’d have met him long ago and he wouldn’t have needed to struggle for so long.
Sadie hands me a bowl of bread buns. “It’s not your fault. The fates decide when it’s time for us to meet our mates. And you’re the perfect mate for him. Just be sure to kick him about if he gets ridiculous.”
I laugh, “I’ll be sure to.”
Taking the bowl to the table, Katie takes it from me and asks how I’ve been. Of course I give her the family friendly cliff notes of what Arden and I have been up to when she smiles warmly and takes my elbow.
Dropping her head she cups her lips to my ear. “Don’t tell anyone. But we’re expecting.”
I pull back, my eyes widen and my stomach flips. “Really?” I ask.
She nods with a blush, her grin spreading across her lips. “We only found out this morning.”
“Congratulations,” I say, only for Katie to throw a finger to her lips, her eyes darting around the room
I cringe. I forget just how good everyone’s hearing is. “Sorry,” I whisper.
She chuckles and bumps my shoulder, “It’s probably not a secret. Most can likely smell it on me already.”
I nod and follow her back to the kitchen to take more dishes from Noelle and Sadie. The table slowly fills up with food and patrons begin to gather around.
Tucking a dish towel into her apron, Sadie claps her hands. “Alright! Dinner is ready!”
It’s like a wave of movement through the entire cabin. Plates and cutlery clatter as everyone thanks her and Noelle and fills their plates. Others unwrap their own dishes they brought to the occasion while the kids complain there’s no chicken nuggets.
“Oh, shoo, you pests. Chicken nuggets were never part of Christmas.” Sadie chases after them.
I watch from the edge of the counter, not sure where to fit in to get my own plate. Arden finds me and leads me to the back of the line, his arms wrapped around my shoulders.
“Enjoying your chat with Katie?” He eyes me closely, a knowing glint in his eye.
I smile, shaking my head. “Yes and keep your sticky beak out of it.”
The line clears and Arden fills my plate high with vegetables, roasted ham and mash. All topped with a healthy layer of rich gravy.
“I won’t finish this.” I take my plate from him.
He shrugs, “I gotta at least try to get some weight on you.”
We carry our plates to the living room where the rest of the group reside, finding a spot between Arden and his father, I tuck in. It’s just as delicious as last time. Everything has been made with love.
The Christmas tree twinkles, presents sit unopened beneath it, and the fire crackles gently. Everyone eats with an easy conversation flowing. It feels almost acted by how perfect it looks. The snow falls outside, the air inside is full of warmth and happiness.
“This is what happens every year?” I ask Arden, but it’s John who responds.
“Usually. But it’s even nicer to have both you and Arden here.”
I smile at him as he smiles back. Sadie, opposite us and closest to the Christmas tree, begins organizing the presents. She reads the name tag and finds who it belongs to before setting it aside. It reminds me of my present for Arden. I didn’t know there were going to be so many people here and now I wish I could have given everyone at least one thing.
