Page 9 of The Santa Surprise

I come up next to him. “Come here, baby girl. Let’s let Alex take his coat off.”

Dakota shakes her head. “No, I want Daddy to hold me.”

As much as it warms my heart that she’s already accepted this man, it also makes me a little jealous. I know it’s stupid, but she’s only ever wanted me. I reach between their bodies and unzip his coat. He adjusts Dakota while I slip his coat off one arm and then Alex adjusts her again for me to pull his coat off.

I place it over the back of the chair. “Come sit and we’ll eat. Kota, show your daddy where you sit.”

I take a deep breath, thankful that they already seem taken with each other. It makes my heart full when I watch Alex carefully place Dakota in her booster seat and per her orders, she pats the seat next to her that’s at the head of the table.

“Alex, what would you like to drink? I have water, milk, or Coke Zero.”

He smiles up at me. “Water please.”

After I get them their drinks, I grab the salad out of the refrigerator, and the bottle of dressing. Once I get everything else out, I set it down on the table.

“This looks delicious.” Alex says as he grabs Dakota’s plate and puts some spaghetti on it and garlic bread. “Should I cut her food up smaller?” he asks me.

I nod, “Yes, please. She uses a spoon and it’s easier when the pieces are small.”

When we all start digging in, no one speaks, but that’s probably because we’re stuffing our faces. I notice Alex watching Dakota while she eats and when he looks up, I don’t even bother hiding the fact I am watching him, watching her.

“This is delicious,” he says before taking another huge bite.

“Thank you. She’s a bit of a picky eater so I’ve gotten really good at making the meals she’ll actually eat.” I’m nervous, therefore I’m babbling.

Alex turns toward me. “You’re a nurse, right?”

I can’t believe he remembered that. “I am. I work in the recovery room at the hospital.”

“That’s great.” He looks at me with intense eyes that makes my belly flip. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“I know, what are the odds that when I moved us from Chicago, that we landed here?”

I watch in utter fascination as Alex strokes a hand lovingly down Dakota’s hair. She tips her head back and smiles up at him, spaghetti sauce covered lips and all. “I never thought about having kids,” he says softly.

“Me either.” I reach out, stroking my daughter’s cheek. “You’re Mommy’s girl, aren’t you?”

“I am,” Dakota grabs my hand and kisses it. Ugh . . . she’s such a sweetheart, I can’t stand it. Of course, I mean that in the best way—she loves to show people how much they mean to her. “Thank you, baby.”

When she’s finished eating, I get her wiped off. “Kota, why don’t you take your daddy into the living room. I’ll clean up in here.”

“I can help.” Alex grabs his and Dakota’s plates.

“No, it’s okay. Seriously, go visit.” I watch as he helps her down and hand in hand they walk into the other room.

Chapter Seven

Alex

I close the book and set it on Dakota’s nightstand. My daughter, my little girl, sleeps soundly with her head on my chest.

Tonight, after dinner the three of us played Hungry, Hungry, Hippos and then we watched a cartoon called Peppa Pig, the whole time she explained the show to me. She was very animated while she talked to me.

Aspen watched us with a small smile on her lips. I’m so glad that she let me get to know our daughter. I suppose this could’ve gone badly, but I’m thankful it didn’t. When it was time for Dakota’s bath, I declined helping. I was unsure of the rules, but Aspen told me to do whatever made me comfortable, especially for now.

I’ll admit when I got here, and she opened the door I wanted to swallow my tongue. She was even prettier than I remembered. All night my fingers have itched to sift through her silky looking locks, but I’ve refrained.

I didn’t want her to think she was obligated to me in any way. There was no denying the spark between us though. I caught her looking at me so many times I lost count.

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