Colleen scowled at the shift in conversation away from one of her favorite subjects. “Da and I are going over to Erin and Tommy’s early to watch the kids open their gifts. Then we’re all going to ten o’clock mass. Everyone’s coming back here after to open gifts and have dinner. You’re welcome to join us at mass.”

“No, thanks.”

Colleen sighed. “It would break Sarah’s heart to know you’ve lost your faith, Aidan.”

Fighting the urge to snap at her, he forced an even tone. “I’m sure she’d understand.”

“It’s been ten years, love. When’re you going to start living again?”

“I don’t know.” He sagged in his chair. “I was thinking on the way down here that Colin would be ten now. I wondered what he would’ve wanted for Christmas this year. A skateboard or a new bike? Maybe a baseball glove. Probably something electronic, too.”

Colleen stood up to wrap her arms around him. “Why don’t you get some sleep? Things will be better in the morning.”

He laughed. “I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard you say that.”

“And I wish there was something I could say to make it better.”

Patting her hand, he closed his eyes against the rush of emotion. “I know, Mum. I know.”

Chapter 19

The night before Kate went home to Rhode Island for Christmas, Reid took her to dinner in an out-of-the way place over in Rutherford County. They’d managed to spend every night together for more than a week without anyone questioning them and had begun to feel more confident that they could exist in their own little bubble. After a candlelight dinner, he reached into his suit coat pocket and withdrew a wrapped box. He nudged it across the table to her.

“What’s this?”

“Open it and find out.”

“I have something for you, too, but I have to give it to you later.”

He raised an eyebrow.

She laughed. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Open your present.”

He wore a dark gray suit with a cranberry tie and was so handsome Kate couldn’t take her eyes off him. “I’m nervous,” she said, sensing a significant gift.

“Don’t be.” He took the box from her and slid the paper and bow from it. “I think this talent of yours will one day take you far away from me, so I wanted you to be able to take my heart with you.” Inside the box was a gold locket with a diamond inset in the heart.

“Oh, Reid,” she said, her eyes swimming with tears. When she was unable to stem the flood, she reached for his hand. “Can we go?”