“I’m fine with whatever you want to do,” Leann said, trying not to worry about spending so long with his family. What if they didn’t like her? She forced the thought away. “The only plan I have at this point is getting through the break and moving back into the dorm in January.”
He hugged her and then opened the passenger door for her. “My family’s going to love you.”
“That doesn’t make me any less nervous about meeting them.” She kissed his cheek then slid into the seat and smiled up at him. “But I’m sure I’ll love them, too.”
Josh chuckled and closed her door. Once he sat behind the steering wheel, he reached over and stroked her cheek. “I couldn’t be happier that I get to spend Christmas with you instead of having to settle for some phone calls and texts.”
“You and me, both.” Leann settled back in the seat as Josh pulled out of the parking lot. As much as she looked forward to spending more time with Josh, she still wished she could see her mom. She’d never experienced a holiday without at least one family member, and being forced to do it so suddenly this year hurt.
She shoved her depressing, anxiety-inducing thoughts to a back corner of her mind and gazed out the window as she prayed for the strength to keep them there. Somehow, she would find a way to make this Christmas special for Josh. He’d admitted to missing last year with his family because of a snowstorm that left him stuck in an airport. The year before that, he’d been in Colorado for a friend’s funeral. Before that, his military service had kept him from going home more often than not. The end result was that this would be his fourth Christmas with his family in ten years, and Leann was determined to help him enjoy every moment.
Now, if she could shake her worry that his family wouldn’t approve of her, everything would work out beautifully.
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