Christmas Redemption- Part 34

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Tessa tossed and turned all night and greeted the morning despondently. Why had she fought Van when it was clear he planned to fulfill the dreams she’d had every night since meeting him? Because even though he said he’d wait for you, your fear of commitment to one person and losing them has frozen you. Her body burned to feel his hands on her again. She’d reveled in his deep, hot kiss.

A knock on the door spun her from making the bed. “Yes?”

“I’ve brought breakfast if you’re ready. We only have an hour until church.” He didn’t sound put out. Her heart raced at his voice.

She crossed to the door and opened it. His clean shaven face smiled down at her. The gleam in his eyes said he didn’t hold a grudge about the night before.

“Come in. I was just tidying up.” She went back to the bed and finished tucking in the blankets.

When she faced the room, two plates and a plate of food sat on the table. Van poured milk into the tin cups.

“You don’t have to bring me all this food.” She sat in the chair he held out for her.

“I know.” He sat across from her, studying her.

Her face heated from his scrutiny. “Why are you watching me? I haven’t changed since yesterday.” Though inside she knew better. His kisses were all she could think about. Her body throbbed in places she knew were inappropriate, yet she had no control over.

“I want to make sure my actions last night didn’t…upset you.” His gaze drifted down to her lips before returning to her eyes.

“You didn’t upset me. I wanted to say…” She swallowed. How did she say she didn’t mind advances without sounding like a strumpet? “I’m not mad.”

He let out a long breath. “Good. Then eat. We’re meeting my family at church and dining with them at the hotel restaurant after.”

“What about our dinner with Beth and Brett?” She liked the idea of not dining with Beth. The woman would pry the truth out of her soon enough.

“I invited Brett to join us at the hotel with my family.”

Lightness in her chest sprung a smile on her lips. “Then you and your family have reconciled?” He must be delighted.

“Yes, well, Ma and my sister. Pa wasn’t there, but Ma said he was distraught after I left. I just can’t figure out why he never gave my letters to Ma.”

She placed a hand on his resting on the table. “Maybe he thought it would burden her heart if your letters were full of horrible things?”

“All he had to do was read them and see I’d grown up in there and learned my lesson.”

“You’ve said he was stubborn. Perhaps it took him some years to realize his mistake and then he didn’t know how to reconcile with you.” She watched the brief flicker of hope light Van’s eyes before being snuffed out.

Van’s sorrow had become her sorrow. She flinched at the knowledge. He had become her world in a short time. Tessa focused on her food and how he’d wheedled into her heart.