Page 55 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

“I’m okay,” I say it again. “Just really low blood sugar and some stress. Callie just exacerbated it.”

“We sent her away,” Maddox chimes in, moving to the other side of my bed. He takes a seat in one of the guest chairs, pulling it close enough so he can hold my hand and kiss it over and over. Each peck fills my heart with a golden light that makes me feel blessed for every moment that I get to spend with these men. “She knows not to bother you again.”

“She did stick around for a little while, though,” Archer adds. “I think she felt responsible in a way.”

“It’s good to know she’s not entirely evil,” I mutter.

“Callie is a petulant and hurt little girl,” Reed replies, shaking his head. “I’ve met so many like her, and they all follow the same pattern. Raised with a silver spoon in their mouth but never loved enough, they take it out on people they perceive as rivals. And given the whole inheritance thing, I can certainly see why she’d have it out for you.”

“I am so sorry I didn’t tell you,” I manage, my voice wavering under the pressure.

“Yeah, she kept droning on about it in the waiting room until Maddox told her to shut the fuck up,” Archer chuckles softly. “Dakota, we need to hear it from you. Is it true? You’re not going to get your inheritance unless you’re married by Christmas this year?”

“It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Like something out of a soap opera,” I scoff. “But it’s true. That’s why they wanted me at the funeral. My grandmother left behind an amended last will and testament. She included me in it with those specific conditions.”

“Why didn’t you tell us? We knew something was up.” Maddox replies.

I sigh and try to choose my words carefully. “Because I didn’t want you to think that I might expect any of you to do something about it. I swore I’d only marry again for love. If I ever marry again, that is.”

“Yet you led Callie to believe we were engaged,” Archer shoots back. “What I don’t appreciate is that you haven’t beenentirely honest with us. We asked you more than once about Chappaqua.”

Anger tests me. Anger masking shame, to be specific. It brings out a side of me that I don’t like, but I can’t control it, either. It’s my defense mechanism, and I’m starting to feel like a cornered animal. I’m trying to be understanding of their position. The Faulkner brothers were slighted. I did, in fact, keep a secret from them. And when they asked about it, I lied.

“Listen, this is my cross to bear, my issue to resolve,” I say with a sharp tone. “It’s not yours, nor am I asking you to make it yours, okay? I know I lied to Callie, but I was just trying to get her to shut up.”

“Dakota, that’s not what we’re talking about here,” Reed says, trying to reason with me. “Whatever problems you’re dealing with, we can work on them together. We’re not just here for the bedroom fun. I thought we were going somewhere with all of this.”

“Where, exactly?” I snap. “There’s three of you and one of me. I’ve got a child and an ex-husband who texts me every once in a while, hoping I might just be dumb enough to let him back into our lives. The minute our… relationship comes out, Keith could try to use it as leverage for a custody case. Have any of you thought about the risks involved?”

Silence falls over the room. Slowly, Maddox lets go of my hand and leans back in his chair. His eyes never leave mine, but I can see the tension gathering in his broad shoulders. Reed clears his throat and takes a couple of steps back as well. Archer, however, doesn’t budge.

“I’m sorry, but it’s the truth,” I add.

“We’ve never really addressed this,” Reed mutters. “We just went with it without thinking ahead. We don’t have a clear destination yet.”

“What possible destination is there?” I reply. “The world will never understand us or the relationship we have. And I can’t risk losing my daughter over it.”

Archer gives me a hard look. “We’ve all been more than discreet about it.”

“For now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asks.

“Do you actually believe Callie is done tormenting me?”

“Clearly, there’s a lot we need to talk about here,” Reed interjects, trying to keep everything at a rational and reasonable level. “Why don’t we just let you rest for the night? Think about everything, and we’ll be back first thing in the morning so we can talk about it. Clear heads, coffee, bagels, and I’m sure we’ll be able to figure something out.”

“You didn’t tell us about the foreclosure on your home, either,” Maddox interjects. “We’ve been honest about everything with you, Dakota.”

“You know what? Reed’s right,” I shoot back. “I could use some alone time. Again, thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for waiting around, for worrying about me, for coming in to check on me. As you can see, I’m good. They’re only keeping me here until morning for observation, and then I can go home.”

Archer frowns. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I would like to be alone, please.” My voice stiffens as I cross my arms, careful not to hit the IV line.

“You’re not just going to sit here and sulk.”

“It’s precisely what I’m going to do because I’m a free woman.”

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