Page 74 of No Love Lost

Addy laughed and nodded. “I agree. Can we go inside?”

Heath lifted her up and kissed her loudly and dramatically, making Nina laugh. “Now that I’m not in a panic that you hate it, yes, let’s go inside. I got the heat and water turned on.”

The tree in the living room stood in a pot and looked familiar. “Is that our tree?”

Nina’s head whipped to look at it as well. “You saved our Christmas tree?”

Heath shrugged out of his jacket and hung it over the newel post. Nina followed suit while he helped Addy out of hers. “I asked Isla if it was possible to save it and maybe replant it in the spring. She’s not sure if it will survive, but she’s got some magic stuff working in the soil. We’ll have to put it back in her hands soon, but she said it should be okay to live here for a few days.”

Addy hugged him again. “You’re such a good man. No wonder I’m in love with you.”

He laughed and hugged her close. “I love you too. I love you both.”

Nina joined in the group hug, and then Animosh jumped up to get in on the action. When they broke apart laughing, Nina gave Heath a look and a nod. “Now.”

“What have you two planned this time? I’m not sure my heart can take any more happiness.”

Her daughter exchanged a grin with her dad, and then Heath looked at her with such love that she knew she could take a lot more happy.

He took her hand and tugged her over to the blankets that covered the floor around the tree, along with the boxes he’d brought inside. Boxes he’d filled with the wrapped presents they’d laid out in the living room.

He reached into one box and pulled out a smaller one, then dropped to one knee. Her heart jackhammered in her chest, but she felt nothing but joy.

Heath took her hand. “I love you, Addy, and I’ve loved you forever. I love what an amazing mom you are. I love our daughter, who you raised to be a powerful, kind woman like you. Will you marry me?”

Addy dropped to her knees while tears streamed down her face. She cupped Heath’s face in her hands. “I love you so much. Always have. Always will. Of course, I’ll marry you.”

He pulled her in to kiss her deeply while Nina cheered in the background and Animosh barked at all the fun they were having.

It was perfect.

CHAPTER 24

Christmas Found

Heath knew how the Grinch felt. Not that he’d ever been a Grinch, but his heart was growing with every passing day, every moment, especially this Christmas day.

His girls loved the house, and Addy now wore his ring on her finger. They were an official family. One who would live together and take care of each other.

They sat on the blankets he’d spread on the floor in front of the tree. He’d added mugs, a kettle, and hot chocolate mix in the boxes he’d brought over with them.

He passed Nina a box and urged her to open it. It was his first Christmas present to his daughter, and he hoped she loved it. He hadn’t asked Addy about this one, and now he was worrying about his choice.

When Nina snapped open the box, her eyes widened and her gaze bounced from the box to him and back again a few times. He didn’t think he even breathed until she smiled, and tears filled her eyes. “It’s so beautiful.”

He’d picked out a silver locket and chain for her. And he’d added a picture that Branna had snapped the previous week at the park. He and Nina were laughing as they crossed the finish line of the three-legged race.

On the other side of the locket, he’d printed out a picture he had of himself and Addy as teens. He’d wanted the locket to be filled with family. Even if the pictures were tiny, they showed love.

Nina lifted the chain gently and then opened the locket. She grinned at the picture of the two of them. “Our first father-daughter victory. I love it.”

Then she looked at the picture of Addy and him, and her grin widened. “This is awesome. It’s of you two when you were kids. You look so young.”

Which meant they looked old now, but he’d take it.

Nina showed her mom the picture and then threw herself into his arms. “Thanks, Dad, I love it. And I love you, too.”

There went his heart, imitating the Grinch again. “I love you too, Spitfire. So much.”

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