“This scene would look good on next year’s Christmas card.”
Caro nodded, not looking at me but staring into the flames. I wondered what she was thinking.
“Forgive me?” I whispered, leaning close to her ear.
“It’s hard to stay mad at you.”
“I know because I’m damn cute.”
“You’re a damn pain in the ass.”
“That, too. The kids had a good Christmas. I wasn’t sure how it’d go.”
“Neither was I. They stayed busy today. Tomorrow they might crash, recalling all the past Christmases with Mark. They will feel his oss.”
“It’s all part of life, honey. I’ve been there. Losing a father is tough, but we’ll be here to help them.” I cupped her chin in my palm and turned her to face me. “I want many more memories like this one.”
“Easton…”
“I know. I’m moving too fast.”
“Like, race-car speed.”
“You know me. When I decide what I want, I go after it. Caro, give us a chance.”
“I want to.” The hint of sadness in her voice rammed a dagger deep in my heart. She didn’t believe in us. She was protecting herself and her heart from possible heartbreak. For this to work, we had to both be all in. We couldn’t afford to hold back.
“I want to tell the kids I’m their father in the next few weeks.”
“It’s too early. Give them more time.”
I sighed, weary of having the same argument with her over and over. “The more time we take, the bigger the chance someone else lets it slip. Just about everyone knows but them.”
“Please, give me more time.”
I was impatient for them to know so we’d be able to forge a deeper bond and they’d realize I was here to stay, but I’d respect Caro’s opinions on this subject. I kissed her softly, lingering for a blissful moment.
“Let me stay the night.”
She gazed up at me, her eyes searching mine. I didn’t know what she was looking for, but I hoped she’d found it. She shook her head. “Not tonight.” Abruptly, she stood and pointed toward the door. “I’m really tired. You probably should go. I have to get the kids to bed.”
“I’ll help you.” Without waiting for her answer, I picked up Heath, the heavier of the twins. He didn’t wake but snuggled against my shoulder, and my heart swelled with love for my boy. Caro picked up Hailey. We carried them to their respective beds. I tucked Heath in, and Mona lay down at the foot of his bed. I found Caro sitting on the edge of Hailey’s bed, gazing at her daughter.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” I put my hands on Caro’s shoulders and squeezed. She looked up at me, and I saw the love in her eyes, not for me but for her children.
“They’re my miracle,” she said.
You’re mine.
I didn’t say the words, but I wanted to. The reality of those words, those deep feelings, slammed into me. If I hadn’t been holding on to her shoulders, I think my knees would’ve buckled from the weight of my revelation.
Caroline point of view
After I put the kids to bed, Easton followed me out to the living room. He didn’t show any inclination toward going home. Mona followed us out of the kids’ bedrooms. She had this innate sense I was the one she had to win over. She sat next to me and laid her huge head in my lap, gazing up at me with sad eyes. I was a softie for animals, and she was melting my resistance. I ran a hand over her soft fur.
Easton grinned as he handed me a glass of wine and once more took a seat next to me. The room was bathed in a glow of flickering Christmas lights from the tree. I was well-fed, content, and mellow. A peace I hadn’t felt in years settled over me. I hadn’t realized how much stress I’d been under when I’d been married to Mark, always trying to measure up to Mark’s and his parents’ standards and always falling short. I’d never been good enough. But right now at this special moment, I was good enough.
Mona nudged my hand with her wet nose, encouraging me to pet her. Easton smiled knowingly.
“She really likes you,” he said.
“She likes everyone.”
“Maybe. Mona had a tragic past. Ice’s wife works with the Newfie rescue. She’d been in a loving family, and the father shot them all, then shot himself. She ended up in a few different homes, and they didn’t take care of her. Then the rescue got ahold of her. Avery thought she’d be perfect for the kids.”
“Remind me to thank Avery,” I said sarcastically, but we were keeping the dog. She’d wormed her way into Heath’s heart, and I wouldn’t separate them. Besides, her tragic story spoke to me. “Did she witness the shootings?”
“Yeah, they found her lying in a pool of blood with her big body curled around the little boy, as if she were trying to warm him up.”
“Oh, poor girl.” She gave my hand a single lick as if she knew we were talking about her.
“Looks like she’s won you over.”
“Maybe.” I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction by admitting I was completely smitten with the dog. He’d suffer first for not discussing his gift ideas with me.
“I know I should’ve talked to you first.” Easton guessed what I was thinking, but then he’d always had this weird ability to read what was in my head and my heart. “But you would’ve said no, and I wanted poor Mona to have a chance at a forever home with us.”
With us?
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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