Page 144 of Dancing in the Rain

She huffed. “I don’t know. Okay, I do know. I just want us all together.”

“I think I can arrange that.”

“You were so thoughtful of us at Thanksgiving,” she murmured, stroking his firm biceps. “That meant a lot to me. Christmas could be a little hard this year.”

“I know.”

“I thought of taking Chloe to Jamaica.”

“We could totally do that.”

“Really? Or would it be weird?”

“Why not be weird?”

“I don’t know. Christmas is supposed to be snow and hot chocolate, a fire in the fireplace and Santa coming down the chimney.”

“Hopefully not while the fire’s burning.”

She swatted his shoulder.

“Chloe doesn’t still believe in Santa, does she?” He lifted his head to peer at her. “I hope I didn’t say something wrong.”

“No, she doesn’t believe in Santa.” She smiled at his distress.

“Okay. Because I was gonna say, pretty sure Santa could find us on the beach in Jamaica.”

She laughed. “I bet he could.”

“We could go to Thunder Bay. But trust me, it’s not nearly as exciting as Jamaica.”

“Will any of your siblings be there?”

“In Jamaica?”

“No!”

He chuckled. “No siblings are going home for Christmas this year.”

Her forehead tightened. “Does that mean your parents will be alone?”

“Yeah. But it happens.”

“I don’t like that.” She pouted her bottom lip out. “Do youwantto go to Thunder Bay?”

“Eh. It’s a long trip. You can’t fly direct from here. But I guess we could do it.”

“Would your parents like to go to Jamaica?”

He paused. “I like how you think, sexy girl.”

She grinned. “Maybe we should see what Chloe wants to do.”

“Hell, no. Come on! We’re the adults. We get to make the decisions. What’s gotten into you, boss lady?”

His teasing lightened her heart after all the sorrow and hurt she’d felt lately. “Your point has merit.”

“Right? I’m finally a grown-up. A dad. I get to decide these things.”

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