Page 38 of Must Love Mistletoe

A little bit of snark might circumvent her need to fling herself into his arms and demand that he never leave her.

“Mo-om, he couldn’t have left them outside. There’s a wolf pack out there.” Sam, Cal’s fiercest defender, and maybe they were forming a little pack of their own, each with designated roles to play. Each of them gifting and receiving strength.

She gave in to her need to cross the room and hug the man, closing her eyes when his arms came around her, as if he’d been right there waiting to receive her all along. “Any more sightings?” she asked.

“No, but they’re out there. I found some fresh tracks heading up through the Gap. With any luck, they’ll keep on going. Either way, it’s my job to prevent them from acquiring a taste for livestock.”

“Do you think a wolf pack hunted my dad up a tree?” Sam asked quietly, and suddenly all the breath seemed to squeeze from her lungs.

She couldn’t have answered to save herself, but Cal took it in stride, crossing the room to take a seat at her kitchen table and giving Sam his full attention.

“I don’t know why he got up that tree. It’s possible something hunted him up there. The coroner’s report doesn’t say much. No punctures. No rips in his clothes. Hypothermia, most likely.”

“He shouldn’t have been out there in the first place,” Sam said belligerently, and how many times had her boy heard her say exactly that? “It wasstupid.”

Too many times, in those early days.

Too much criticism because fear and pain had ruled her.

“True.” Cal’s voice was quiet.

“Do you think he was scared when he died?”

“Yes.”

Casey men dealt in truth.

“I miss him,” Sam said in a small voice. “He wasn’t always great, but I do.”

Cal nodded. “I miss mine, too. That’s just normal.”

“Yeah, but your dad was great.”

“Nah. No one’s perfect. But he did have a world of good in him, and there’s something peaceful about knowing that there’s a part of him that lives on in me, and maybe it’s the best part. The not stupid part. It’s all the good things he taught me. All the smiles he gave to me.” He tapped his heart. “They’re in here.”

Suddenly Cal had Sam in his arms, and the big man—the impossibly kind man—looked up at her and opened one arm and what was she to do but join them? He was right there, inviting her in, and she was so far gone on him.

For as long as he wanted her, she was all-in.

“Mom made cinnamon rolls.” Sam’s thin arm had snaked around her too. “They’re even better than last time.”

“Impossible.”

“No, it’s true,” she murmured. “Practice makes perfect.”

Sam scrambled out of the group hug and pointed toward the ceiling. “And look! Mistletoe!”

Kissing ensued.

A kiss that teased and tempted, and deepened with just enough promise to give her a rosy glow.

Cal was smiling as he let her go. “Howwasthat mistletoe kiss?”

She made a sound. Could have been ameepthat meant anything. Might have been a whimper that saidI’m all yours, how can youpossiblynot know?

“You’re getting better at it,” a small voice from afar. “Isn’t she, Cal?”

World, meet Samuel Calvin Evans.Her champion.

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