Page 25 of Snowed in with the Rancher

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Olivia paused briefly before she made her way across the crowded lobby. She watched Tate as he sat with the girls, nodding his head and occasionally reaching out to steady a cup of warm cider. And as she watched, her heart did this strange fluttering thing in her chest. She'd thought of Tate many times over the years—how could she not? But this was a sight she never thought she'd see: him spending time with them, looking at them like they were his entire world. Her eyes burned with unshed tears for a moment before she pulled herself together and joined them.

“Did Tate let you have cider before dinner?” she said as she approached the three of them.

Both girls looked guilty and nodded. Tate looked confused. “Uh, did I do something wrong?”

Olivia smiled at him. “Normally, it would be a lot of sugar before dinner, but we can make an exception since it's a special occasion.”

“Special occasion?” Jackie asked. “Is it Christmas?”

Melissa's eyes grew wide with hope.

“Not yet,” Olivia corrected. “But we survived the big whiteout, and you built a snowman, so that makes it a special occasion.”And you're sitting here looking at your father, she thought silently.

“Oh, there these two little dears are.” Marjory came scurrying over. “Are you ready to try the barbecue?” she asked. Both girls agreed. “You ask Mommy if you can come eat with me and Vince. We hardly ever get to eat with such lovely young ladies who are having barbecue for the very first time.”

“Are you sure?” Olivia asked. “It's going to be messy.”

Marjory laughed. “I'm positive, and that's what napkins are for.” She held out her hands, and each twin grabbed one, giggling at the things she was whispering to them while she led them away.

“Well,” Olivia said. “I haven't had this much help with the girls since I left Spokane a week ago.”

Tate stood and looked around the room. “Where'd everyone go?” Olivia suppressed a giggle. Somehow, he hadn't noticed that it had emptied in the last few minutes as everyone went into the ballroom to eat.

“Did you want to go and eat?” he asked.

“You know, I'd rather take a few minutes to catch my breath. Want to sit over there by the Christmas tree?” She pointed to one corner of the big room where a magnificent fir tree sporting rustic decorations stretched toward the high ceiling.

Tate gestured for her to go first, then followed her. They sat on a small loveseat flanking the big, sparkly tree.

“Thanks for watching them while I grabbed a shower,” she said as she turned partially to face him.

“They were telling me a story about a boy at preschool…Billy? Bobby?”

“Bucky Nelson.”

“Yes! That was the one. He ate a cockroach, apparently.”

Olivia struggled not to laugh. “Yes. Bucky has been known to ingest insects on more than one occasion.”

Tate scratched his head. “Is that normal? I mean, Jackie and Melissa haven't…They wouldn't do that, right?”

Then Olivia did burst into laughter. The look of confusion mixed with raw fear on Tate's face was enough to send anyone rolling on the floor with laughter. She tried to answer him between giggles. “No. No, your daughters know not to eat bugs.”

Then the strangest thing happened. His entire expression softened, his eyes lit, and he held her gaze. The laughter died on her lips.

“Say that again,” he requested.

She tilted her head, not sure what he meant.

“The part about my daughters.My.Daughters.”

She smiled as something warm radiated through her chest.

“Your daughters,” she told him again. “It's real.”

“I never thought I'd hear it, but I have to admit, I kind of like the way it sounds. I…like them,” he finished.

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