Page 49 of A Christmas Bargain

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Maybe a ten-minute drive.”

“That’s close. It’s got to be nice being so close to family. I always have Grace with me in the city, but we’re so far from Dad like that.”

“Well, being here until the end of the year must be nice,” I commented.

“Yeah. Yeah.” She nodded, kind of absently.

“Are you missing the city?” I asked. “The hustle and bustle and nonstop grind?”

“Yes and no. More than anything, it’s different working remotely and, um, focusing on different lines of the business.” She smiled at me as she tugged on boots.

“How do they fit?” I asked.

“Um, kind of big? But borrowing your socks makes up for the difference.” She laughed, showing off her outfit with a little twirl. “What do you think?”

“I think…” I swallowed, getting hung up on this moment. No one was watching. It was just the two of us, and I wanted to be honest. “I think you, um…” Walking up close, I sighed as I reached her. Hugging her and holding her close did something to me. I was comforted. Comfortable, even. “I think you’d look good no matter what you wear.”

She laughed after I kissed her, holding her close. “Is that another way to say that you would like me in nothing?”

“You know that I enjoy that outfit, or the lack of one.”

She kissed me soundly but backed up. “What do you have planned?”

I’d told her to get dressed for a surprise, but I hadn’t explained that far yet. It’d hit me when I realized I could stretch out this morning with her for a couple more hours until I got Naomi.

“Are we going for a walk so you can show me the land around here?”

Dammit. No.

“Wait.” She furrowed her brow. “You’ve got so much acreage. I bet driving would make more sense.”

“No. I have something else in mind.”

“Oh, yeah? I can’t wait. I love surprises.” She smiled, not acting disappointed, which appeased me. Maybe she wasn’t just a city girl realtor after money and deals.

When I drove her into town and gestured at the ice skating rink, she clapped and grinned.

“Have you ever?” I asked.

“It’s been years!”

We rented skates and spent at least an hour skating and laughing at how collectively clumsy we were. After that, we got more coffee, where she laughed at her inability to read all the lines of the menu. Nicky texted that Naomi wanted to stay over for longer, so I took Claire out to lunch and then strolled along Main Street to window shop.

In short, I wasn’t ready to give up my time with her. It was all cutesy things to do, but with her, it felt like I was just one half of a couple spending a lazy weekend day together.

Back home, she gathered her dress from last night and put it in a tote bag. Naomi would be coming home at any minute,and I was glad that Claire wanted to at least see her to say hi. That mattered—a lot. If and when I’d be ready to officially date someone, it had to be someone who saw me as a package deal with my daughter.

The moment Naomi burst through the doors, though, I felt like I had been forgotten.

“Claire!” She barreled toward her for a hug, smiling and laughing as Claire caught her.

I let them talk for a few minutes while I caught up with Nicky.

“What can we do to get her off thisHome Alonekick?” he whispered, rubbing his hands. “I don’t know if I can take it much longer.”

“There’s only ten days until Christmas,” I reminded him.

He groaned. “Only?”

---