Page 72 of The Snuggle is Real
She giggled at my dramatic reaction. “Please!”
“Okay. Go get ready. We’ll have some fun, starting withshakes.Brr!”
“Yay!”
She skipped to the doorway, full of excitement for the day ahead. I wish I could so easily dismiss the gloomy cloud that Lu’s words had put over my head.
After having Charlie so close for so long, I couldn’t stand the idea of being held at arm’s length, never knowing exactly what was going on in her life, seeing her sporadically—when Lu could be reached and reasoned with.
And now after everything I’d learned this winter? I wasn’t even sure that home would be safe.
I wasn’t her dad in blood, but in my heart I was. So, how could I let Charlie go when everything in me cried out that she belonged with me?
CHAPTER 19
Mason
“I filledout the questionnaire like you asked, but if it’s too much, we’ll take any help we can get.”
I picked up the list, scanning over the food, apparel, and gift needs Crystal had written down for her three children.
“Hmm. There’s something missing here.”
“What?” She leaned forward to peer down at the paper in my hand. “I thought I got everything.”
“I don’t see any presents listed for Mom.”
“Oh.” She blushed. “I don’t need anything.”
I clucked. “This is an Adopt-A-Familyprogram. It’s not only about the children, but all of you.”
Her eyes grew glassy. “That’s awfully kind, but I don’t want to sacrifice something they might need for me.”
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll prioritize.” I slid the paper back toward her. “Just add a few things for you, and I’ll be right back.”
I set a box of tissues on the corner of the desk and left Crystal alone, knowing she was struggling with the concept of asking forsomething for herself. Much as Ford had, I realized. Maybe not for the same reason, but they both put their children first.
That’s why I’d given him those Cocktail Hour tickets. I’d never intended to be his date. And then when I had been…
My face heated. I’d made a total fool of myself. Ford would probably never look me in the eye again, and I couldn’t blame him. I’d known all along that he wasn’t interested in men.
While he’d been a Holiday Hope Foundation client, my professional ethics had held me back. But once that was gone, my self-control had collapsed like a house of cards.
Crystal emerged a few minutes later, red-eyed with the form in hand. She smiled tentatively. “Here you go. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I know this program isn’t just for anyone.” She blushed. “I’m sorry I put you on the spot about it last week.”
“Hey, that’s why I’m here. I’d always prefer you ask, even if I do hate to say no sometimes.”
She chuckled. “Well, if there’s anything on the list you need to say no to, I completely understand.”
I squeezed her arm. “You have a good day, and leave the rest to me.”
She walked out with a bit more bounce to her step, and my chest warmed. This was why I did the job. And it was really thanks to Ford I could help Crystal.
I scanned the list again. Oy. A family of four required a bit more legwork though, and this late in the season, I was going to be asking a lot of local businesses.
