Page 25 of Doctor Frost

“What?” I asked. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t tell me not to worry about it. You look angry.”

I reached out and took her hand in mine. I didn’t want to spend our time together talking about Connie and her questions.I wanted to spend it with Amelia, laughing and talking about our plans for the upcoming weekend.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. Now, I was thinking about this weekend, the family holiday party…what time should we pick you up?”

Amelia looked at me with worry in her eyes.

“You are planning on joining the kids and I, aren’t you?”

She swallowed hard and gently shook her head no. “I don’t think so, Dalton. I’m worried that people will talk if we arrive together.”

“The kids will be crushed,” I said, my voice low enough, so no one overheard.

She looked at me with concern. “Dalton, I gave it some thought. We promised not to mix work with our personal life. I feel that if we attend together, that is what we will be doing.”

“Whoa, wait a minute. I know what we said, but the kids are looking forward to it. Claire was so excited when I told her you were joining us.”

“I know, and to be honest, I probably should have given it more thought when you asked, instead of just agreeing to go. We both agreed to keep our situation under wraps at work.”

I studied her. I could tell there was something she wasn’t telling me. I suddenly wondered if perhaps Connie had questioned her as well yesterday when she’d picked up the extra shift in the emergency.

“We did, but there is nothing saying you didn’t need a lift. Besides, what would be wrong with us inviting you to join us for the day? You do work for me, after all.”

Amelia let out a sigh, but I could still see something was bothering her, but I didn’t want to press her into telling me. I wanted her to talk to me when she was comfortable.

“I’ll come by the house around four,” she said, just as our lunch arrived.

I stoodoutside Santa’s Workshop with Amelia, waiting for Claire and Tommy to visit Santa. We’d shared a wonderful afternoon together, laughing, doing crafts with the kids, and singing songs. I could tell both the kids loved Amelia. They’d started coming around more once they caught us kissing one night in the kitchen before dinner. That had taken some explaining, but thankfully, I’d handled it well.

I was afraid of their questions. There was no doubt about it. They’d never seen me with another woman; they’d barely seen me with their mother. However, I remained calm and answered them. It seemed easier when I followed my heart for the answers instead of my head.

“I’m going to use the washroom,” Amelia whispered.

“No problem. I’m sure we will be here.” I winked.

I wanted to lean over and kiss her before she left my side, but I stopped myself, remembering where we were.

I took pictures of both the kids when it was their turn to speak with Santa and waited while they were both given their special present from Santa himself. They both came running over to me with their wrapped gifts, begging me to open them.

“Well, I think we should wait for Amelia, don’t you think?” I questioned, glancing down at my watch, wondering where she could be. She’d been gone for over a half hour. “Perhaps we will save them for home.”

“I guess,” Claire said.

“What about you, Tommy?” I questioned, looking around the room for a sign of her.

“Fine,” he whined.

It was then I spotted Amelia. She came into the room, her eyes red, and immediately made her way over to us.

“What is it?” I questioned, concern filling me.

“Can we just go? Like right now,” she said, turning and making her way toward the door.

I glanced down at Claire and Tommy and ushered them both to the coat check, where I grabbed all our jackets and the three of us made our way toward the car.

Amelia was silent the entire drive back to my place. Almost the minute we were inside, I sent the kids upstairs to get ready for dinner and turned to find Amelia still standing at the door, her coat still on.

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