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Damon stood with his arms crossed, more than a little disgruntled at the decidedly not manly hat, gloves, and scarf that Patti had brought out for him to wear to the lighting ceremony.
“You’re just trying to cause me pain because I mocked Jason’s outlandish socks,” he griped, still refusing to even touch the garish red things. They were decorated with snowflakes stitched out of some kind of sparkling white yarn. Was she trying to kill him?
Patti folded her arms and pursed her lips at him. “It’s Christmas eve. Your brother is wearing his festive attire without feeling his manliness is threatened.”
“He’s a bigger man than me.”
“Damon.” Patti snatched up the scarf and stood on her tiptoes to drape it around his shoulders.
“I guess I can always pluck my eyes out. Or wear a ski mask so no one recognizes me—it’s going to be pretty cold; no one would think twice.”
“You stop your grumping.”
“How can you tell he’s grumping?” Josiah interjected. “He’s been grinning ever since he spent that night over with Valerie.”
Damon didn’t bother to argue. He’d tried to pretend they were wrong about where he’d been, but they knew. And they were happy for him. Patti was already planning to have Valerie over for dinner. In fact, with all the meals she had been planning, it was probably going to be several dinners.
“Now, let’s see your festive side! Wear your hat and gloves, and let’s go celebrate the Season some more.” Patti’s dimples showed as she beamed. Christmas brought such joy and bizarre style choices to people.
Patti disappeared out the door, the cold wind whipping into the house before she pulled the door shut.
Damon pulled on the gloves and hat and went to the door, but Josiah hung back.
“Everything okay?”
“I just wanted to say I’m really happy for you and Valerie.” Josiah swallowed. “You two inspired me. It’s got to be hard to try again, to step out of your comfort zone to make something like this work. So I did something too.”
Damon watched his brother intently. He looked nervous, but also lit up, excited.
Josiah continued. “I’ve been asked to speak to engineering students at a variety of colleges, and I said yes. I’ll be traveling, starting mid-January, for a few weeks.”
“Josiah, that’s amazing. Congratulations.” Damon strode over and shook his brother’s hand. “I’m proud of you for taking that step.”
“I’m really nervous. I’ve never presented before. but...I just feel like it would be such a good step forward.”
“I agree, and whatever you need, you know we’ll always be here for you. Supporting you and cheering you on.”
Josiah’s face lit up. “Thanks, bro.”
“Does Patti know?”
“Not yet. I know she’ll worry.”
“She’ll be proud of how hard you worked to get to this point,” Damon said firmly.
Josiah nodded, his eyes suddenly glossy, and he looked away from Damon. Time to go. Crying wasn’t allowed on Christmas Eve.
They went out together and loaded into the vehicle. The lights of their little town, lighted Santas on roofs, snowmen, and deer families decorated the front of the shops. And, in the middle of it all, in the tiny square, was the tree that he knew had been snuck into place just hours before.
As soon as they were stopped, he looked for that familiar white truck. It was parked far to the side of the parking lot with a trailer attached. When his gaze settled on the Nativity scene, with the live animals and beautifully structured setting and background, the strangest sensation curled through his chest. As if there had been something missing before and now, it was filled. All those years ago, when he’d watched her leave, feeling the devastation of never seeing his soulmate again, and now they’d been brought back together. He planned to make this time the final and lasting one.