Page 1 of Mountain Daddy
ONE
CELIA
“Cascabel, cascabel, música de amor.”
Elsie’s sweet voice fills the cabin, drowning out the wind that’s picking up outside. Despite the dropping temperatures, my heart is warm as my little charge sings the lyrics to one of the songs she and her classmates will perform at the town’s annual Christmas Eve Tree Lighting.
Come to think of it, I’m not sure why they call it a tree lighting. The lights on the tree in the town square have been shining every night since the day after Thanksgiving.
I suppose it’s an excuse for the town to party.
And now, more than ever, I think we can all use as many opportunities to come together and be joyful.
Elsie sways back and forth in her socked feet, clutching her stuffed moose in one arm as she belts out the chorus again. I finish rinsing the dinner plates and slide them into the drying rack, listening as she drifts from Spanish to English to complete nonsense.
At six, lyrics are still more of a suggestion than a requirement to follow.
“You sound amazing,” I tell her as she twirls toward me, cheeks flushed pink from the heat of the woodstove and the effort of giving a whole performance.
She beams. “Wanna hear it again?”
I pretend to give it serious thought. “Hmm. I think I have time for one more encore. But only if Mr. Buttons sings backup.”
She holds the moose up. “He says he’ll try.”
I stifle a laugh. It’s impossible not to love this kid. I’ve only been her teacher for a few months. Since I moved to Alaska in August for what I thought would be a short-term contract. When her dad asked around the school to see if any teachers would be willing to babysit on weekends when he’s on duty, I’d initially said yes for the extra cash.
But somehow she carved out a place for herself in my heart before I even noticed it happening.
She’s bright. Funny. Sweet with the biggest soft-spot for animals. And her hunky dad… Well, he’s done a heck of a job raising her.
The front door opens, letting in a rush of frigid air, and Elsie’s voice cuts off mid-verse.
“Dad!” she squeals.
I straighten as the man himself steps inside, kicking snow off his boots. Wells’s coat is dusted white, his hair damp from melting snow. He pulls the collar down, revealing the sharp cut of his jaw and that scruff he never shaves this time of year.
My heart hitches. He’s way too damn handsome for his own good. And mine.
His eyes meet mine for a second. Just long enough to send a warm, treacherous flutter through my stomach. Blinking, he bends to scoop Elsie into his arms.
“Hey, songbird. I heard you practicing. You sounded so good.” His voice is low and gravelly, making my traitorous heart skip a beat. “Were you good for Miss Celia?”
“Always, Daddy,” Elsie reports proudly. “She said Mr. Buttons and I have real talent.”
He looks up at me, one eyebrow raised. “Did she now?”
I shrug. “I mean... he’s got potential.”
He snorts softly. “I’ll make sure his agent gets in touch.”
God, why does everything he says hit me right in the center of my chest? Maybe it’s the voice. Or the smile that always seems to be waiting to spread across his face.
Maybe it’s the way he’s such a solid presence. He’s quiet and dependable. A little gruff, but with a softness that slips out every time he’s around Elsie.
Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s completely off-limits, and I secretly have a penchant for the forbidden.
I wipe my hands on a towel. “How was work?”
