Page 37 of Once Upon a Holidate
“We’re dealing with the ugly reality. As for the holidays, that’s an ongoing discussion. El Bahar doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving—what with it being an American thing. My mom does sometimes, but she’s kind of letting it go. Christmas and New Year’s are more complicated.”
Bethany was the adopted daughter of the King of El Bahar. He’d married Bethany’s mother nearly twenty years ago, adopting Bethany when her biological father later passed away. Bethany had three half brothers and was an actual princess, something her friends liked to kid her about.
When the king had first found out his daughter was pregnant, he’d insisted on sending over bodyguards... and a helicopter. It had followed her everywhere, ready to whisk her away to a medical facility should she have the slightest problem during her pregnancy.
“The current plan is to have Christmas here, then fly to El Bahar for New Year’s.” She drew in a breath. “There’s going to be some kind of national celebration. You know, because of the baby.”
Wynn laughed. “Poor you.”
“I’ll be okay. Cade’s not excited.”
“Who can blame him?” Pallas asked. “My brother is just a regular guy who fell in love with a princess. Now his life will never be the same.”
“I’m worth it,” Bethany said with a laugh.
Natalie glanced at Wynn. “Thanks for all your help with the snowman construction.” She turned to the table. “Hunter is making snowmen for me, along with Joylyn.”
The women exchanged glances.
“Who’s Joylyn?” Carol asked.
“Garrick’s daughter,” Wynn and Renee said together.
“Police officer Garrick?” Carol asked. “Oh, that’s right. He has a grown daughter. Is she nice?”
Wynn wasn’t prepared to give an answer to that particular question. “She’s having a rough time right now,” she said instead. “She’s eight months pregnant, and her husband’s a Marine and is deployed.”
“How old is she?” Silver asked.
“Twenty-one. She was staying with her mom, but Alisha has three teenage boys and that was a lot. Garrick’s house is quieter, which is good, but I wonder if she’s feeling isolated.”
“She probably doesn’t have any friends here.” Pallas wrinkled her nose. “That would be hard. I mean it’s great for her to be with her dad, but it’s not the same as hanging out with people her own age.”
“It’s interesting you and Garrick both had kids when you were young,” Bethany said, then turned to Silver. “And you.”
“Teens will be teens,” Silver pointed out. “Hormones are powerful.”
So was fear, Wynn thought. She’d been so scared of losing Chas that she would have done anything to keep him with her. And he’d still left her. A pregnant girlfriend was no match for the lure of the next great ride.
She told herself that had happened a long time ago—that she was a different person and today would make different choices. While she knew all that was true, she still didn’t like what she’d done. It had taken a long time to forgive herself and move on.
She thought briefly of Garrick. He was trying so hard with his daughter. The more she got to know him, the more she liked him. Their kiss had been amazing and was something she would like to repeat—this time without the potential for interruptions.
“You should bring her next time,” Bethany said, pulling her daughter onto her lap. “Joylyn. I know we’re not her friends, but she might like hanging out with us. Plus with all the pregnancies we’ve been through, we would be a great resource.”
Everyone nodded as Bethany spoke.
“I’ll be sure to mention it to her,” Wynn said. “I think she’d like getting out of her dad’s house.” And some girl time just might help her attitude.
Chapter Seven
“This is stupid,” Joylyn grumbled as she slid out of Garrick’s SUV. “I don’t like board games, I can’t drink and the whole idea is dumb.”
“Monday nights at The Boardroom are a Happily Inc tradition,” he told his daughter. “You’ll have fun.”
She glared at him. “You can’t know that.”
“I can guess. Come on. Anything would be better than sitting home, alone in your room.”
