Chapter 27

Snow fell as Jo made her way across the college quad. Her last exam for the semester was over, and she could now enjoy her Christmas vacation. She wouldn’t be returning until the third week in January.

As she hurried across the campus, someone yelled out, “Merry Christmas, Jo!” Without stopping, she turned and waved. It was that guy from her art class. He was friendly but Jo liked him right there: in the friend zone.

The parking lot shone with ice, and Jo treaded carefully until she reached her car. While the engine warmed up, she brushed off the snow. Before she headed home, she was going to stop at Gram’s. Bridie was in town, and Jo was eager to see her. Gram had given Jo her recipe for mince pies and Jo had made a couple of practice batches in her mother’s kitchen, to which her father had given two thumbs up.

She threw the snow brush into the back seat, buckled herself in, and carefully eased the car out of her parking spot.

Gram was so excited about Bridie coming over for Christmas that she was like a child who still believed in Santa Claus. Although Jo was looking forward to seeing Bridie, she also wanted to hear the news about Ian. From what her grandmother had told her over the course of the year, it seemed as if Ian was doing great. A new job as a sports analyst, traveling, success with the physical therapy, and Gram had told her that he was “in a good place.” Jo was delighted for him, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he ever thought about her. Thought about her the way she’d thought about him. There had never been mention of a girlfriend, but that didn’t necessarily mean there wasn’t one. Gram might have withheld that kind of information to spare her feelings. She was determined to get the answer from Bridie.

As she pulled onto Gram’s street, Jo decided that maybe it was time to move on instead of continuing to pine away hopelessly. After all, her own life was falling into place. She’d given up the apartment, moved back home, and was going to college for an art therapy degree. She was excited about her prospects. She’d been at her barista job at the coffee shop for almost a year. The owners—a couple with young children—were wonderful to work for. Because they baked fresh every day, employees were allowed to take home the leftovers at the end of the day. What a perk! So much different from her last job.

Jo parked her car in Gram’s driveway. She went around to the back porch. When she opened the door, she was greeted by a blast of heat, the muted sound of Christmas music, and the smell of cinnamon. Laughter floated out from the living room, and Jo smiled to herself. Apparently, Gram and Bridie had picked up right where they’d left off.

In the kitchen, she removed her hat and scarf and laid them on the back of a chair. Once her coat was removed, she fluffed her hair with her fingers and headed toward the living room.

Jo landed at the doorway of the living room and saw Bridie seated next to Gram on the sofa and exclaimed, “Bridie!” but immediately pulled up short when she spotted Ian getting up from his chair opposite them.

A rush of joy filled her. “Ian? What are you doing here?” Her heart was thumping so fast she could feel it in her throat and was afraid the sound might drown out his answer.

Everyone stood up.

“Hello, Johanna.”

Before Ian could explain his presence, Jo found herself wrapped in a hug from Bridie. Jo squeezed her back gently, happy to see her.

“Jo, look at you! Your hair is so long! It’s beautiful,” Bridie said.

“Thank you. It’s so good to see you, Bridie,” Jo answered.

Gram said, “Bridie, why don’t we go into the kitchen and make some tea? I’ve got some eclairs, and Jo’s been busy making mince pies.”

“Sounds wonderful!”

They were gone, leaving Jo alone with Ian.

Jo turned and focused her attention on him. He stood there with his hands in his pockets. She thought he looked well; he stood straight and tall without the crutches, and she was glad to see he was still sporting a beard and mustache.

“You look great, Johanna,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said. Confusion filled her. Why was he here? She hadn’t heard from him in almost a year. Hurriedly, she added, “You look well too.”

“You’re probably wondering what I’m doing here,” he started, shuffling his feet.

“I am curious,” she said. They remained apart. She was unsure if she should hug him; he might not welcome that.

“I wanted to see you,” he said.

“Really?” she asked.

“Really.” He smiled.

“Why?” she asked. She folded her arms across her chest.

From inside his breast pocket, he pulled out an envelope and withdrew a sheet of paper. Jo recognized it immediately. She pressed her lips together and held her breath.

“I wanted to ask you about this,” he said.

Jo didn’t say anything. She couldn’t. She was frozen to the spot. He’d saved her letter? What could it mean? She didn’t want to get her hopes up. Not again. She couldn’t do that again.

“What did you want to ask?” she ventured.

“Did you mean what you said?”

Jo’s shoulders sagged. “I meant every word of it.”

“Even the part about foolish girls falling in love with guys they had no business falling in love with?” he said quietly.

Oh, that part. Jo felt her cheeks go hot. “At the time, yes, I did,” Jo said bravely, even though her voice shook.

“And did you? Did you fall in love with me?”

She nodded, not taking her eyes off him. She held her breath.

“Johanna, I’m sorry for how things ended between us. I was not in a good place, but that doesn’t let me off the hook. You didn’t deserve that.”

Jo gave a weak smile and shrugged. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say. She also noticed that it had gone awfully quiet in the kitchen.

Ian took a step closer to her.

He closed his eyes and sighed before opening them. “See, the thing is, I was falling in love with you too. It was hard not to.”

Jo’s eyes widened. “Then what was the problem?”

“At that time, I was in no position to offer you anything. Truthfully, I was angrier at myself than you, I just projected it onto you. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Of course,” she said. “But I didn’t want anything from you. I just wanted you.”

“At that particular time in my life, I didn’t even have that to offer you.”

Jo bit her lip, waiting, expectant.

“But I’ve spent the last year getting back on track, getting my life in order.” Ian glanced down at the floor. “And I’ll understand if I’m too late. It’ll be my own fault, but I was wondering if you would have me. I mean, if you would give us a try. See where it goes.”

Jo had to restrain herself from jumping into his arms. Her enthusiasm was tempered by reality and distance. “Ian, we live so far away from each other. How would this work?”

“I know it would be difficult, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes. In between broadcasts, I’d come over to see you, and I was hoping you’d come to Ireland on your breaks,” he said. “There’s email and Skype to hold us over.”

Jo smiled. He’d given this some thought. That warmed her, the thought that he’d been thinking about their future. And how they could make it work.

Ian shifted nervously on his feet. “What do you say? Will we give it a go?”

Jo leaped into his arms. “Yes!”

Ian grinned, breaking into laughter. “That’s my girl.” He set her down and pulled her tightly into an embrace, kissing her.

From the kitchen came the excited whoops of their grandmothers.