“No, nothing like that.” Momentary panic flashed in his eyes. He’d crossed the line and was floundering to find his way back to safe footing.
“They love Mona.”
“But I do not. Take her back where she came from.”
“Not possible.” His chin jutted out stubbornly. He was digging in, and I was going to have a battle on my hands.
“Anything is possible.”
“I’m not returning her. The kids need a dog.”
“Says who? The guy who’s been a dad for a few months?”
“Yeah, that guy.” His brown eyes flashed with an anger of their own.
“We’re not keeping her. We can’t have a huge dog like that in this condo. Who’s going to take her for walks and groom her and feed her?”
“I won’t lie, that would be you—and I’ll help, of course. So will the guys.”
“When you’re here.”
“She’s just what Heath needs to come out of his shell.”
“You’re an ass. How dare you do this without running it by me first? And about the riding lessons… Horses are dangerous. I don’t want my little girl getting hurt.”
He suppressed a smile, which didn’t go over well right now. “You’re a worrier. You can’t keep them from every little thing that might hurt them. Hockey’s dangerous, too.”
“But he’s a little boy and she’s a girl—”
“That’s a sexist remark,” he chided me, as if trying to prod me out of my serious mood and back into something lighter.
“You upstaged me. I spent a lot of time and money on their gifts, and you come in here and do this. Did you ever think about discussing your intentions with me?”
“So that’s what this is about? You’re jealous?” His knowing smirk raised my ire even more.
“I am not.”
“Yeah, you are.”
“The dog goes.” I glared at him, and all he did was snort.
“Fine, you tell them.”
“I will.” We weren’t keeping her. I pushed him away from the door and marched into the living room, ready to put an end to this dog before the kids got too attached. I stopped and stared. The dog was chasing them around the living room. The twins screamed with joy, and the dog barked joyously as drool flew everywhere.
For such a huge dog, she was amazingly gentle. She was careful not to knock the kids down, though I couldn’t say the same for any furniture or accessories that lay in her path. Once they exhausted themselves, she jumped on the couch and lay down. Rusty glared at her from his perch, but she was oblivious to him. Heath crawled onto the couch beside her, wrapped his arms around her, and laid his head on her shoulder.
“I love her, Mommy. Thank you, Easton. Thank you, Mom, for letting us have a dog.” Heath’s brown eyes shone with such unfettered joy my heart squeezed. I never expected to see him this happy this soon, and I grudgingly had Easton to credit for his turnaround.
He’d gotten through to my son in ways his mother hadn’t been able to. Yeah, I was jealous, but I was also grateful. Heath had bonded with this man who happened to be his biological father. I’d watched it happen from day one, and that bond grew every day. His daughter already adored him.
And where did that leave me in all this?
Easton point of view
I was a shithead, but I had no regrets. I’d pissed off Caro, but I’d done the right thing, even if I’d gone about it in the wrong way. Mona fit into the family as if she’d always been there. She transferred her affection from Kaden to the kids in a split second. I actually think Kaden was a little hurt by her fickleness.
Caro didn’t have the heart to get rid of the dog, not as quickly as Heath attached himself to her.
“They were used for nanny dogs and water rescue. She’ll be a good protector and companion,” I said, parroting what Avery had told me. My buddy and cousin Riley, who was also Avery’s nephew, happened to have a Newfie. I’d been impressed with the dog’s calm demeanor and gentle nature. The hair and drooling were minor setbacks, the way I saw it.
The kids and I took Mona for a walk, while Caro and Junie baked some pies and Kaden worked on his Christmas dinner. When we got back, Heath and Hailey helped me set the dinner table with the Christmas placemats and napkins I’d bought earlier this week, along with the sleigh centerpiece.
Dinner was everything I’d expected, knowing Kaden’s culinary abilities. A few teammates who didn’t have families in the area joined us. We ate like kings and queens. My mom was a great cook, but this holiday meal had to be one of my all-time favorites for lots of reasons.
After we finished, I proposed a toast. Everyone held up their glasses of wine or water or milk, whatever they were drinking.
“To the best Christmas ever with family and friends. May the magic of the holidays stay with us year-round.” I sounded sappy, but I’d had a few and was getting sentimental.
“Hear, hear!” said the group at the table as we clinked our glasses together.
After dinner, Steele surprised us by producing a guitar and playing Christmas music. He knew all the words and was damn good. We sang along, drank too much eggnog, and ate more. Everyone pitched in, and we cleaned up. By ten p.m., the crowd dispersed with full stomachs and good memories. Junie also disappeared.
Caro wanted to go back to her condo with the kids, and I followed her, uninvited, but she didn’t slam the door in my face. I considered that a good sign.
I sat down next to Caro and put my arm around her shoulders. She tensed for a moment, then leaned into me, her head on my shoulder. Having her here was the most natural thing ever. She fit next to me, and contentment washed over me.
The flame in the gas fireplace danced merrily on the opposite side of the room. The kids curled up on the thick rug with Mona, and all three of them fell asleep.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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