Page 56 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

“Dakota—”

“We’re done for now. Thank you.”

Maddox curses under his breath as he gets up and leaves. Reed gives me one last look and a gentle squeeze of the shoulder before joining his brother outside. Archer, however, is more stubborn than both his brothers combined.

“You’re a piece of work,” he says.

“I’m sorry. It’s just too much to deal with right now,” I reply.

“Fine, but I’m not letting you push us away, Dakota. I’m going to leave now, but I’ll be back in the morning, bright and early, long before you think of slipping out of here before I catch you.”

He leans in and captures my mouth in a long and profound kiss. It reaches somewhere deep inside of me, pumping vibrant energy through my heart and radiant heat through my limbs. I lose my breath as I kiss him back, wishing I could tell him everything about how I feel, about how terrified I am of losing this wonderful thing between us. But I am scared.

“You’re not alone anymore,” he says, then walks out.

As the door closes behind him, I finally let it all out. Tears stream down my cheeks, and I shudder, unraveling and crying my heart out. It’s been a long time since I have felt so lost and confused. I need a way out. I need a light to show me the way because everything around me has gotten so dark that I no longer knowwhere I am.

For a long time, I was on my own. Even when I was married to Keith, I was still more or less on my own, providing for my family. Working at bars. Keeping the house clean. Cooking. Raising our daughter. When Keith left, part of me felt relief. One less mouth to feed. Fewer clothes to wash and iron. Fewer dishes. It made me feel guilty to admit that I was better off without him.

Now, I’ve gotten myself caught up in an unconventional relationship after being single and used to it. The Faulkner triplets have been incredibly patient, but I fear I’ve reached the end of that line. I need to do better by them, too, not just for myself. I need to learn to open up more, to let them take care of me. They’ve already expressed their intentions on the matter.

They have no desire to let me go.

19

Archer

Maddox and Reed have left the hospital, but I’ve chosen to stay behind for a while longer. They were too concerned about our tense conversation with Dakota to argue with me about it, so they headed home. I understand how they feel. I share their state of mind. But I am also aware that Dakota is a complex and sensitive woman. She is scared, and I am compelled to try a different approach this time.

Reed is a patient man. He’ll keep Maddox in lin no matter what.

I’m suspicious about Callie. She hasn’t left yet. I caught a glimpse of her by the cafeteria. I intend to find out what her endgame is.

First, I stop by the nurse’s station to make sure everything is financially covered for Dakota. I sign whatever is required to make sure I am billed for the remainder of her stay, and then I make my way over to the cafeteria.

Callie sits at a table alone, sipping coffee while absent-mindedly swiping through her phone. I take a seat across from her as casually as possible.

“What’s your deal, Callie?” I ask as she looks at me with genuine irritation.

“I want to make sure she’s okay.”

“Come on, really? That’s why you’re still here? I take it Maddox didn’t do enough to put the fear of God in you,” I reply with a dry chuckle. “Rest assured, he will if you keep trying him.”

“I wasn’t trying him, okay? I feel… bad.”

I lean back in my seat to get a better look at her body language. Callie says a lot with her facial expressions and her hands—probably more than she’s even aware of. “Dakota is fine,” I tell her. “Low blood sugar. She’s been neglecting herself lately on account of severe stress. My brothers and I are inclined to fault your grandmother and, as of last night, you for her condition. What kind of game are you playing?”

“You mean the inheritance? Fuck if I know,” she groans with frustration. “I didn’t think my grandmother would even consider Dakota as an heir, not even for a penny, let alone eighty million dollars.”

“So, you had no idea.”

“No. It was as much a shock to me as it was to Dakota,” Callie says, her gaze softening as she looks up at me. “I’m not the evil stepsister here.”

“Half-sister.”

“Whatever. I’m not, okay? I’m just trying to protect my inheritance and my family name. Dad walked out on my mom and me. Katherine raised me as a Monroe. Dad left and got himself a new family. He chose to leave everything behind. So why should Dakota be entitled to any of it?”

“Your grandmother thought she had a claim, clearly.”

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