Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows novel Chapter 37

With a gentle nudge, I whispered, "Thanks."

‘Thank you for picking up the pieces and putting me back together.’

A warm hand playfully ruffled my hair as she teased, "Thank who?" There was a hint of anticipation in her voice.

I paused, blinking, "Mom."

"Thank you, Mom."

"Ah!" Her voice was filled with joy as she kissed my forehead, "My sweet Lana!"

Happiness bubbled up inside me, sugary sweet.

My ears turned a bright red, so she stopped teasing and asked me to wake Jonah to help hang the decorations.

With the holiday season in full swing, his schedule was jam-packed with appointments. Staying up until two or three in the morning had become routine for Jonah, so his sleep schedule was all over the place.

I knocked on his door, but got no answer. I opened it and walked in.

The room was quiet. Light filtered through the gray curtains, and Jonah lay asleep, eyes closed, with only the faintest sound of breathing.

I reached out and poked his cheek. "Jonah, Mom wants you to get up and hang the decorations."

No response.

Leaning in close, I whispered in his ear, "Jonah, wake up. Time to hang the decorations."

Still no response.

He lay there, eyes shut, his thick lashes like tiny fans. A mischievous thought crossed my mind, and I quietly reached out, giving a gentle tug. His lashes held firm.

Just as I was deciding whether to pull harder, his eyes popped open, filled with amusement and exasperation, but definitely not sleepiness.

"You little rascal, I was curious how you'd wake me, and you tug on my eyelashes?"

I was caught off guard, and flashed an innocent smile.

"You look like a little cherub," he chuckled, pinching the bun on top of my head.

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