Page 39 of Holiday Hire

I groan but can't help smiling. "Willow! I thought we went over this."

She laughs. "We did, but you're on a break with your boyfriend, right?"

The conversation with Lance fills my mind. My insides quiver once more.

She puts her hand on my forearm. "Hey, what's wrong? Did I upset you?"

I shake my head. "No. I just had a conversation with Lance. That's all."

Concern fills her expression. "I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"

I force a smile, answering, "No. I'd rather not if that's okay?"

She studies me and then nods. "Okay. But I'm always here to talk if you need someone."

"Thank you," I gratefully tell her, then admit, "And thank you for being so kind to me. I didn't expect to meet anyone so soon I thought I could call my friend."

She grins, babbling, "Well, good. My mom said we were going to be good friends. She's usually right about these things. She's horrible about picking women for my brothers or men for me and my sisters. But she's good at friendships."

"Your mom's a great woman."

"She is. And I still can't believe they're leaving for a mission trip over the holidays. It's the best time of year, and our family celebrates like nobody else."

Happiness envelops me. I've always loved the holidays but never spent them anywhere except in California. I'm excited to see how the Cartwrights spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Even being on the ranch with everything decorated shows they love celebrating. I can't imagine what it's going to look like for Christmas and New Year's.

They also seem to be a very close family, but they don't hide it when they don't like something someone does. I respect how they interact with each other. They put it all out on the table, but in a way where they still love each other.

Plus, I've never been around a big family. I have a sister who got into a car accident. She lives in a home because she can't support herself and is incapacitated both mentally and physically. I try to visit her as often as possible, but she no longer knows who I am.

It's been eight years since that accident, and it still hurts. My sister and I were close before it happened. My mother and father divorced long ago, and we were each other's rock. When the accident happened, it changed everything in my family.

My mother suffers from depression. She was driving the car, and the guilt over that finally got to be too much for her to take. Several years ago, I had to admit her into a facility because she isn't able to take care of herself. I try to visit her as well, but it's hard. Both my sister and mother are in state-funded places, and they're several hours away in opposite directions.

My father disappeared shortly after the accident. I have no clue where he lives or what happened to him.

There was one holiday I spent alone. The next year, I met Lance and have been with his family since.

It could be another reason I feel tied to him and keep trying to make it work. It may be why it's harder for me to break up with him for good, even though I'm relieved I don't have to see his family over the holidays this year.

Strangely, I feel more at home with the Cartwrights after a few days with them than I ever have with Lance's family. But I never would've complained about them. I was always grateful I had somewhere to go during this time of year.

Willow tilts her head. "Sorry. Did I say something else that upset you?"

I shake it off. "No. Everything's fine. I'm just really happy to be here."

"We're happy you're here too."

"I just hope your brother decides to keep me on," I say, trying to make a joke, but the fear in my voice comes out.

The truth is, if Alexander doesn't let me stay, I don't know what I'll do. I don't want to have to go back and live with Lance. We really do need space to figure things out between us. If we live together in the future, I want it to be our choice, not a necessity because I'm broke and have nowhere else to go.

Yet, every day, Alexander makes it clear my time here is limited. Monday is coming soon, and no matter how much I try to show him I can help out with the boys, he's determined not to let me stay.

Willow groans and rolls her eyes, declaring, "My brother's a moron. Don't worry. You're staying."

"How do you know that? He seems determined to make sure I leave on Monday."

She waves her hand in front of us. "Nah, he'll let you stay. Don't worry."

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