Page 50 of Snow Harm, No Foul

“You expect me to believe that?”

“It doesn’t matter what you believe because it’s the truth.”

He flicks his eyes to me, frustration swirling. “You know, I always wondered if you wanted her. Thought you were just putting on a show with the gentle tone and offers to help all the damn time. Turns out you were just panting after my girlfriend.”

“Ex-girlfriend,” I correct coldly. “And the woman I’m goin’ to be raisin’ a baby with.”

Travis clears his throat and lets loose a dark laugh. “Good luck, Ivy. Lord knows he fucked it up with the first woman he tried that with.”

“Get out,” Ivy orders before I can get any words out. She takes three steps forward and gets into his face, spine straight and teeth bared. “I hope you get a lifetime’s worth of therapy sessions for Christmas. Maybe then you can work through your abundance of issues. Learn some self-love techniques while you’re at it, too. Until then, you can see yourself out.”

“You’re going to let her kick me out, Dad?” he guffaws.

“You were already leavin’.”

“Ridiculous. When Mom hears about this?—”

Ivy jolts forward, and he jumps back. “Make sure you give her my number while you’re at it. I’d love to chat with her.”

“You’re both insane.”

My girl beams up at him and wiggles her fingers directly in his face. “Merry Christmas, Travis.”

Travis shakes his head at her, disgust rippling over his expression before he glances at me and tosses a few parting words.

“Hope you’re happy.”

I move to rest at Ivy’s back and palm her hip while holding his gaze. “I am. And I hope you find your happiness soon.”

He doesn’t reply. Instead, he simply zips his jacket up and storms out of the bar, leaving nothing but a cold wind and another pile of snow in his wake.

The door doesn’t close behind him, so Ivy rushes to push it against the snow falling in through the doorway. It’s high on the sidewalk, the snowdrifts coming up to the window in the door. Travis would have had to force his way through just to reach it.

Guilt nips at me, knowing that he came here without being forced and found what he did. I can count on one hand the number of times he’s come to visit me here, even if that wasn’t why he came to town.

I’d love to know why he’s considering moving here of all places, but I doubt I’ll have the chance to ask.

“That was absolutely terrible,” Ivy mutters, spinning to face me with her back to the now closed door. “He tried to punch you.”

“Don’t blame him.”

“I do! Violence isn’t the answer to this.”

“There isn’t an answer for him. Not for somethin’ like this.”

She tips her chin up stubbornly. “Well, he’ll need to find one. You’re family.”

I take her face in my hands and dip my head to kiss her forehead. “Until he does, I’ve got another family to focus on. And while I’d like for him to fit into it soon, I got a feelin’ that’s wishful thinkin’.”

“He’ll come around. I know I gave him a hard time . . . I’m sorry. It’s just the way he was talking to you reminded me of when we were together.”

“I know. My protective angel,” I coo, bringing my mouth to hers and nipping at her bottom lip. “I’m sure you scared him shitless.”

“We can try to talk to him again. After Christmas and everyone’s had a chance to cool down. He might be an ass, but he’s your son,” she says on a breath.

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you, Niko. I’m excited for the future because of you.”

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