Page 45 of Christmas in Paradise

“Let’s go check out that box.” I step around Seb and his anger, out the open door into a cold wind, surer that he’s not ready for me and Charly. Not if he can’t laugh off the little frustrations that come with raising puppies and kids.

Not that I’m thinking a relationship with him would for sure turn into marriage. But this is what it is to be a single mom. Anyone I bring into my life has to be marriage and daddy material from the get-go.

I know what Carson is trying to do, sending Seb and me here together when I could figure everything out on my own and email Seb what we need. The fact he obviously thinks Seb and I should be together makes me think I should give Seb a chance.

Maybe if I had more time here, if I knew I was going to stay, knew I had a job and Charly had everything to meet her needs, I could give Seb more time. I could tuck away my worry about all three of us—Seb, me, and Charly—getting attached.

But this situation is only short term, and I think the growing up Seb has to do is going to take a lot longer than the few weeks I’m in Paradise.

And I hate how much that thought disappoints me.

Chapter 13

Sebastian

Rad is covered in burrs that are going to take a while to get out, but Hope is on the move, so I follow her. I can’t decide who I’m more annoyed with, Rad or Lynette’s squirrels. It’s possible I’m frustrated with the entire animal kingdom right now, humans included. Lynette may top the list.

I wouldn’t be as irritated if I had on work clothes. But I wore nice jeans and my best leather jacket today, knowing I would finally see Hope. I had no expectations of chasing Uncle Rad and squirrels through a pasture full of weeds and cow pies.

I know it will take more than appearances to win Hope over this time around, but looking good can’t hurt my chances. And my chances of seeing her have been rarer than I expected. Work calls and other obligations have kept me too busy to justhappento be home when she picks up Charly. Plus, she keeps picking her up at different times, like she’s trying to avoid me.

Which is possible.

Even though I’ve been disappointed every time I’ve missed her, I’ve also been trying to give her space. I don’t want to scare her off. I want her to feel comfortable enough that she’ll come to me when she’s ready. I just have to keep showing her I can be who she needs.

Or trying.

This dog isnothelping as much as I thought she would.

“We need to talk, Rad,” I mutter to her, keeping a few paces behind Hope. “Your whole job is to be a good dog.”

Rad answers with an excited yip and licks my cheek.

“We’re going to have to agree to disagree there,” I tell her. “You’re getting better, but you’re still not agooddog.”

She growls and nips at my nose.

“Ouch!” I swing her around so she’s not facing me anymore. “See there? That’s a bad dog move.”

She whimpers and tries to get down, but I hold her tighter. Her leash is covered in mud and stickers from being dragged through the pasture, so I can’t lead her. And obviously, she’s not going to follow.

“I didn’t say you were a bad dog. I said you made a bad dog move. There’s a difference.”

She doesn’t respond.

“I know you can be a good dog. It’s just going to take some practice.” I whisper as we catch up to Hope who’s stopped at the outbuilding where the breaker box is.

Rad turns her head and revs up her sad eyes, and I reluctantly scratch her ears. “I know you’re sorry. We’ll both do better.”

By this point, we’re close enough for Hope to hear, so maybe that last line is as much for her as for Rad. And it works. There’s a smile playing at her lips.

“Are you talking to Uncle Rad?” she asks, a suppressed laugh in her voice as I walk past her.

“Maybe…”

Her eyes dart to the floor, and I look behind me to the mud I’ve tracked in.

“Sorry!” I backtrack and stamp my feet in the gravel bordering the cement step. “Is there a broom somewhere? I can clean it up.”

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