Page 2 of Dad Bod Secret Santa

You’ve let yourself go. That’s what he said. Over and over. His words still echo, even now, long after the papers are signed, and he’s moved on with a younger woman who has a body like the women in these movies.

“Mom?”

Wendy’s voice pulls me back. I blink, realizing I’ve been staring blankly at the screen while the couple in the movie shares their first kiss in the snow.

“I’m...not ready,” I finally say. “I’ve got you to focus on. And work. I’m happy with that. Honestly, I am.”

She frowns but wisely doesn’t push it. “Okay, but...you deserve to be happy, too.”

Before I can respond, the lights flicker. Once. Twice. And then everything goes dark.

“Mom?” Wendy’s voice is suddenly small, a little nervous.

“I’m right here.” I reach out, instinctively finding her arm in the dark. “It’s just the storm. The lights will probably come back on in a minute. You know how it is when these storms hit.”

But as the minutes stretch on, the darkness feels heavier. I reach for my phone and fumble with the flashlight.

“Let me check the power company’s website,” I mutter, pulling up the app.

“Well?” Wendy asks, leaning closer.

“It says...Oh great.” I shake my head. “A major power line went down. It could be out fordays.”

“Days?” Wendy sounds horrified. “But it’s almost Christmas!”

“I know, I know.” I bite my lip, the weight of the situation settling on my shoulders. No power means no heat. No lights. No hot water. The house will be freezing soon. We can’t stay here.

Wendy grabs her phone. “I’ll text Vivian.”

“What?”

“Maybe we can stay with them until it’s back on. They have a guest room.”

I hesitate. Hank. Her dad. Mr. Sexy and Silent.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. He’s...very nice. Friendly, though reserved. He’s also the kind of man I’ve avoided thinking about since the divorce. Big, rugged, and far too easy on the eyes for someone like me. He’s a man I wouldn’t say no to, but he’s my daughter’s best friend’s dad, and no way am I doing anything to jeopardize that friendship.

“I don’t know, Wendy...”

“Please? I don’t want to freeze in the dark, Mom.”

I sigh. She’s right. We can’t stay here without power, especially if the storm gets worse. “Okay. Fine. Call Vivian and ask her to put her father on the phone so I can talk to him.”

I can’t believeHank agreed to let us stay with him and Vivian without hesitation.

Wendy carries the conversation as we drive through the storm, heading up to King Mountain and Silver Pine Ridge, where Hank and his daughter live. The wipers work furiously to keep the windshield clear. I nod along to her words, but my mind is focused on the road and second-guessing this arrangement. We could go to a hotel, but that’d be expensive, and it’s certainly not how I want Christmas to be for Wendy.

When we arrive, I park alongside the truck I recognize as Hank’s. I see movement inside the cabin, which is much larger than I expected anything called a cabin to be. Vivian comes bounding out of the house, squealing with delight as she sees Wendy.

“Oh my God! I’m so happy you’re here!” Vivian gushes, giving Wendy an enormous hug. “Hi, Ms. Anderson.”

“Thanks, Vivian,” I say. “Please. I’ve told you to call me Maggie.”

Then, behind her, I see him.

Hank steps out onto the porch, his tall frame filling the doorway. He’s dressed in a flannel shirt and jeans, his face shadowed by the dim porch light, but I can see the shadow of his dark beard.

“Come on in,” he says, his voice deep. He comes out to meet us and grabs our bags, carrying them easily inside. “You must be freezing.”

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