Our First Noel, page 8
He turned back to me. “Did Kevin get you a fish?”
If he didn’t, he must have a plan. I couldn’t imagine my parents wanting to pet-sit for me eight months of the year. “You’ll know when I do.” There was still a chance it wasn’t a pet at all, and he’d been toying with me all that time, but I doubted it.
Whatever it was, I was going to love it.
Kevin’s truck finally rumbled near, and I jumped up. “Yay!”
I ran to the tree and grabbed the last unopened present, hiding it under my shirt, tucked into my waistband. Then I donned my new pink bunny slippers, tossed my dad’s recliner throw around my shoulders, and shuffled out to the driveway.
“Merry Christmas morning!” Kevin’s window was down, but I still had to shout over the rumble of the engine.
He admiringly observed my attire. “Merry Christmas morning to you, too. Are those pink bunnies I spy down there?”
I stuck one foot out to model it. “It’s only the highest of fashion for me. Don’t you love them?”
“I sure do. I might need a blue pair to match.” Shutting the truck off and rolling up the window, Kevin stepped out.
“If you’re serious, that could be arranged.”
With the blanket corners in my hands, I wrapped my arms around him. When I backed up, I tried to peek around him, but I couldn’t see anything.
“Okay, I’m ready. Where is it?”
“Where is what?”
“Kevin!”
“Oh, are you wanting your gift already?”
“Yes, please!”
Chuckling, he stepped back to open the rear driver-side door. “Close your eyes first.” He waited for me to surrender with his hand on the handle.
I did so right away, squeezing them extra tight for good measure. Everything around me went still as excitement took over. Birds were chirping sweetly while the wind gently whipped around us, rustling the branches of the trees in the yard and the dried-up leaves on the ground. I shook with a slight chill.
The truck door closed. “You can look now.”
Springing my eyes open, I saw Kevin holding a cage from a brass handle at the top. It was draped with a white cloth cover. When he lifted it up, there were two birds huddled together in the middle.
“Birds!” They had been the ones chirping.
“They’re lovebirds. The male is a sea-green variety, and the female is a pied violet. He reminded me of the ocean, and she reminded me of you.”
“Me? How?”
“She’s unique and beautiful.”
My eyes stung. “Put the cage down.”
“Why?”
“So I don’t knock it over when I hug you.”
He laughed, leaning the cage against the wheel of the truck a short distance away, and I threw myself at him. He held me with my legs in place around him, rocking back and forth.
“I just learned they don’t allow pets on campus, by the way,” I said, my cheek resting on his shoulder.
“I know. That’s why they will stay with me.”
“Really?”
“Yep. It’s already been arranged.”
“Everything is really working out, isn’t it?”
“Right now, it is. Doesn’t mean it always will.”
“But it will always be okay, right?”
“One way or another.”
I gave him an excited kiss. “Let’s go in and show my parents. My dad will be so thrilled.”
“He will?”
“That they’re staying with you, yes.” I slid down to my feet and something stuck me in the back. “Oh, I almost forgot! Kevin, I have a gift for you as well.” I reached inside the waistband of my pajama bottoms and handed him a wrapped, flat rectangle. Taking it, he looked surprised.
“Hmmm.” He shook it jokingly, knowing there was no room for anything to make any noise. His gift had heart, but no beat.
“I know. Just open it.”
He peeled back the sparkly silver paper, and I watched his eyes as he uncovered what it was. Slipping the gift out of an envelope, his jaw dropped. “Custom license plates?” The background was solid black with a white Texas star, and it read S0AR.
“I guess it’s more for the Yota than you, huh?”
“This is awesome! I’ve always wanted something like this. I couldn’t have come up with anything better to put on it, either. Thank you!”
“You’re so welcome,” I reciprocated, feeling the flutter of happiness in my chest.
KEVIN
22
#11. Mistletoe
My mom joined us at Sarah’s house, and we all spent the afternoon together. After dinner, when it was my turn to leave, Sarah reached for my arm. “Wait a second. There’s one last thing we need to do that isn’t on our list.”
“Oh? A number eleven?”
“We can call it that.” Sarah bit her lip, and my gaze traveled upwards, following the direction of her pointed finger. A delicate, fresh bundle of mistletoe hung above her, tied together with a thin red ribbon. “Have you ever kissed anyone underneath mistletoe before?”
“Nope. Never.”
“Good. I can’t think of a better way to finish out our list.”
Stepping under the parcel with her, I happily pulled her into my arms. From the other room, I could hear the melodious song of her lovebirds, providing us a sweet soundtrack. “Merry Christmas, Sarah.”
“Cheers to our first Noel, Kevin. The first of many we’ll have together.”
I leaned closer until our lips brushed together. “I’ll kiss to that.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Once again, thank You, GOD.
This has been a difficult year for writing. After the release of From Graves to Gardens, I was stuck in a frustrating place, struggling to figure out Book Two, and starting to feel like a failure. It seemed like the story wasn’t taking shape properly, like my prayers weren’t being answered. Turned out, I was being led to work on more Kevin and Sarah, first.
But as you read this, I am hard at work again on Book Two, and can’t wait to release it in 2025. The words are flowing and the pages are turning because God is so good!
Thank you to my husband, who after 11 years of marriage is still my real life book-boyfriend, for all the sacrifices you’ve made for our family. I see you, I love you, and you’re welcome. For what you may ask? Well, take your pick. I have many awesome qualities.
To my beta readers, Alyssa, Lando, Mom, Philip, Summer, Missy: My bad… What more can I say after telling you it’ll only take an hour to read? Seriously, all of you rock. I could not have done it without you guys.
Mary Jane, you wonderful human being, you. What an incredible mother, talented author, clever decorator, and invaluable friend you are. I’m so grateful to have you in my corner!
Love you all & God bless — Heather
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Camacho’s mission is to tell stories of love and faith, dedicating her craft to sharing the testimonies, truths, and promises of the Word with readers worldwide.
A Midwesterner turned Texan, she resides on a small ranch in the southern coastal region with her husband, three kids, and their many animals.
When she isn’t writing, reading, or homeschooling, she enjoys sewing clothes for her children, making quilts for her friends and spending time with her horses.
www.heathercamacho.com
Heather Camacho, Our First Noel
