Page 57 of Daycare Santa

After

“All done, people.”Gina spun in a tight circle that ended with a curtsey.

Everald, her driver, left two minutes ago to make the last trip for a Christmas eve luncheon. That was the dessert run and even with traffic, the items would hold up and be ready to serve by the staff waiting at the other end.

Seya did a little dance, then gave Gina a high five. “Good job. Let’s get back to it.”

Despite working late the previous evening, Seya came by afterward to help Gina with emptying cabinets and packing file boxes.

Across the room, Zack capped a water bottle and smiled indulgently. He’d been with her since yesterday afternoon, moving items she wasn’t currently using into the container he’d mentioned.

She didn’t know how he had the answer to the miracle she needed, but wasn’t about to question it. All she knew what that he’d helped put back the joy in Christmas and she was grateful.

He pulled out his phone, plugged in the PIN and squinted at the screen. “Eli will be here in a few to take away the next load.” Glancing around the space, he added, “Another couple of trips and we’ll be done.”

“Thank you,” she mouthed, then took Seya by the arm. “We’ll do the washing up, while Zack packs the tins and trays and other stuff.”

When they stood by the sink, Seya poked her in the side. “I’m glad you listened to me. Zack is a good man. I can’t think of many people who’d do what he’s doing, plus rope in his brother to help.”

“Agreed,” Gina dipped her head several times. “They’re definitely good people. Even Lizette helped by keeping Luca for me the other day.”

“Thank God Boyd cleared the way and put himself out of the picture.” Seya glanced at the doorway before she spoke again. “This one is a keeper.”

“I think so, too.”

They finished the washing up, dried the cutlery, and laid them into compartmentalized trays, then stacked them for moving.

A half-hour later, Seya left and Gina went to the office where she’d spent her working hours for the last few years. The bare room helped her accept the end of this segment of her life.

Despite that, her throat ached over having to leave the place where she’d grown the business and become comfortable.

She reminded herself that—like her mother used to tell them—few things grew in people’s comfort zone. She hadn’t become stagnant, but was prepared to settle for what she had with Boyd—a relationship that didn’t engage her emotions deeply, and insured against heartbreak.

Zack came along and threw her into a tailspin when she wasn’t looking, but his giving nature made the risk of loving him worthwhile.

He’d asked no questions about Luca and how he’d adjust to having him around. They were so comfortable with each other that when Luca asked the daddy question, Zack had casually explained he’d be around as long as Gina wanted him and that they’d still be friends, no matter what happened. She respected Zack for that.

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Feeling a little blue?”

She lowered her head. “Yes, but I’m grateful you’re here with me.”

“I told you not to worry about it.”

She turned in his arms and looked up at him. “You don’t know what it means to have you in my corner.”

“Trust me, I do.” He stroked her cheek and lifted a strand of hair off her forehead. “And I feel the same way you do.”

Gina pressed her cheek to his chest and breathed in his scent. Then she pulled away and squared her shoulders. She could do anything with this man by her side. He’d done so much to make life easier for her, she still couldn’t understand the why of it. But she was grateful.

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