Page 7 of Dad Bod Secret Santa

“That was the best kiss ever!” Vivian declares.

Hank rubs the back of his neck, his cheeks coloring slightly. “All right, all right,” he says, trying to downplay the emotion I can see written all over his face. “That’s enough shenanigans. It’s time to go home,” he says firmly, directing the girls back to the truck.

Hank’shome,I remind myself. What would it be like to sayourhome?

CHAPTER 4

HANK

Maggie got her power back yet?” Jax leans against the back of his truck, wiping his hands on a bandana. His eyes narrow as he watches me.

I throw the rope over the trees in his truck bed to secure them before he takes them down for sale, then I grab my thermos and pour myself a cup of coffee.

“Yeah, they’re still at the cabin,” I say, taking a long drink of coffee. “No word on when the power will be back. More than one major transformer was damaged in the storm.”

“Sounds like things could be worse,” Jax says, grinning. “Have you done anything about your feelings for Maggie? Now would be a perfect time…”

“Yeah, well, it’s not like that,” I mutter, ignoring his teasing.

The truth is, Maggie is all I can think about, and when we’re all at home? I feel like I’m going to self-combust from longing. Problem is, I have no idea if Maggie feels remotely the same way—despite the kiss—and for the first time in a long time, I’m scared to talk to Maggie and find out. You’d think years in theArmy and more than a decade as a single dad would make me fearless, but…Maggie brings me to my knees with longing. She always has.

Jax chuckles, clearly unconvinced. “Right. Sure it’s not. Just you, Maggie, and the girls playing house.”

“Not helping,” I say, draining the last bit of my coffee and stowing my thermos. “Besides, I have to think about the girls. You’re not a dad, but when you are and single? You have to think about everything through the lens of your kid. She’s already had one woman in her life up and leave, and I don’t want her to get attached to a new woman only to have the same thing happen. It’s why I don’t date.”

“Or,” Jax says, leaning closer, “you could stop overthinking it, Hank. Maybe you both need a little push. And for the record, you don’t date because you’ve been holding a torch for Maggie for years. You’re a one-woman man, and she’s been the woman even if she hasn’t beenyourwoman.”

Jax gets in his truck and takes off, leaving me speechless. I’ve never thought about it like that, but he’s right. I’ve known for a long time that Maggie was a special woman, but I didn’t realize I’d stayed single because there wasn’t room in my heart or life for anyone who wasn’t her.

For a dedicated and confirmed bachelor, Jax has more insight into people and relationships than I ever imagined.

The question now is: what am I going to do about Maggie?

I hearMaggie’s car pull into the driveway and glance at my watch. It’s nearly seven—she wasn’t kidding about working late. Through the kitchen window, I watch her trudge through the snow and up to the porch.

“Something smells amazing,” she says, unwinding her scarf, kicking off her shoes by the front door, and sliding into her slippers.

“The girls and I made chicken pot pie. There’s a plate warming in the oven for you.” I move to help her with her coat, breathing in the cold winter air clinging to her hair.

“Thank you so much.” She sighs and smiles. “You have no idea how much I didn’t want to cook tonight. You’re a godsend.”

I nod. “I figured that might be the case. The girls have done their homework. But I, uh... I need to go out for a bit.”

Her brow furrows slightly. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, of course.” I hate the uncertainty flickering across her face, but I force myself not to explain. This project will be worth it. “Just something I need to take care of. I won’t be too late.”

She nods, but I see the questions in her eyes. Before I can change my mind and tell her everything, I grab my coat and the tool bag I stashed by the door earlier. The pieces of black walnut I’ve been saving are wrapped carefully in an old T-shirt.

“Hank?” she calls as I reach for the door. When I turn, she’s biting her lower lip. “Drive safe, okay?”

“Thanks.”

In my truck, I pull out my phone and dial Leo’s number. He picks up on the second ring. “Hey, buddy. Can I ask a favor? I need some space to work on a project.”

“Hey, man. Good to hear from you.” Leo’s voice crackles through the speaker. “Come on by the house. You can use my workshop in the backyard. I’ll go out and get the heater going so you don’t freeze your balls off.”

“Thanks, Leo. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. I can’t work on it at home like I usually would.” I put the truck into gear, carefully navigating my way down the mountain and into town.

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