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"Merry Christmas, Everly," Chance said the minute my eyes were open Christmas morning.
"Merry Christmas, Chance." After sharing a kiss, I pulled his arm tighter around me. "A year ago, I could have never imagined waking up like this."
"I'm pretty happy with how things turned out."
"Me too. Now, get up. We've got presents to open."
XXX
By the time, we were all showered, dressed, and fed, it was after ten. As seems to happen during the holidays, we reminisced a lot about Christmases past. I plugged in my laptop and found some Christmas music while Gracie handed out presents.
We took turns opening gifts. Mama loved the Camille Beckman floral scented hand creams I gave her. They're made in a small town in Idaho and have become my go-to for lotions and hand cream. When it was my turn, Chance handed me an envelope. "What's this?"
"Your Christmas gift."
I took out the typed page and read it, then looked at Chance. "I don't understand."
"You said you wanted to learn more about outdoor survival so you could help me with my business." I saw in his eyes, what he wasn't saying out loud. With all that had happened to me in the wilderness, I had vowed never to need to be rescued again. "When I head to Florida, you're heading to Texas for a week-long survival training intensive with a buddy of mine."
"I didn't bring any of my outdoor gear."
"Your gear bag is packed. That's why it seemed like we had so much luggage."
"But what if you forgot something I need."
"I didn't. You're gonna love it."
"Thanks, Chance." To be honest, I hadn't given any thought to what sort of gift Chance might give me, but I certainly didn't expect to spend next week in survival training. I said I wanted to learn more but, I think being back in my old surroundings made me forget how much my life in Idaho revolves around the outdoors. I appreciated the gift and smiled when I thought about Chance packing my clothes. I just hoped he remember things like bras. Now that I knew about the trip, maybe he'd let me double check his packing.
"I can't imagine my sister in survival training. I guess she's really changed since moving to Wilkins' Gap. She used to think the only think you needed to survive was sweet tea and a few twinsets."
"We've been on a few camping trips," Chance said, "and she's done really well. I want her to be able to be part of my guide business and be comfortable in the wilderness."
We all had a good laugh when Gracie opened my gift—BALMSHOT lip balm, another Idaho product. When it was Chance's turn, he picked up the box from me. Inside was a large manilla envelope. He pulled out the folder and leafed through the papers. "Is this for real? Did you really do this?"
"Yep. We'll have a vendor table at the International Bigfoot Convention next summer. I put it in the calendar as HOLD so you wouldn't know what it was."
"This is great. Thank you, Babe. We'll have a great weekend. Did you tell your mom about the convention you went to with me?"
I hadn't because by the time I omitted everything to do with finding the coordinates to the BFFam observation site, left out the part about the attempt on Helen Kepler's life when she took me to lunch, and didn't mention the part where Chance was kidnapped and beaten, I wasn't sure there'd be much left.
"You went to a bigfoot convention," Gracie said, clearly shocked by the idea. "What was that like?"
Chance just grinned one of his dimple grins and said, "The adjoining rooms came in handy."
That got knowing smiles from both of them and put a stop to any further questions about it.
I was surprised at how normal Christmas seemed with Chance in the midst of we three Mason women. He seemed at home and that scared me a little. Even though Jamison and I had been together for years, he never seemed at home with my family and I never felt at home with his. I guess that should have been a sign. If that were true, then Chance being so comfortable was a sign too one of many signs, I was beginning to wonder why I was working so hard to ignore.
"It's a couple of hours before the turkey will be ready," Mama said. "Why don't you two go for a walk."
"Sure you don't need help with anything?" I asked as Chance pulled me up from the sofa.
"No. Gracie Layne will help. Chance, be back in an hour. No private celebrations OK?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said, treating her to one of his grins.