Page 34 of Mistletoed with the Mountain Man
"Your sister is amazing." She leans into me. "And Ledger seems great. Bear's pretty wonderful too."
"They liked you."
"How can you tell?"
"Bear practically sat next to you the whole time you were here." I rest my chin on top of her head. "And Sadie was using her 'I already love you and you're going to be my best friend' voice."
She laughs softly. "Is that a thing?"
"With Sadie? Absolutely."
We're quiet for a moment, just breathing in the cold air and watching the stars. Then Nia sighs.
"What is it?" I ask.
"I've been thinking." She turns in my arms, looking up at me. "About what happens after you leave."
My stomach tightens. "Nia?—"
"No, let me say this." She takes a breath. "Zoe and Troy Lawson—they own theChristmas Nookin town—have been asking me to join them. They do seasonal decorations and eventplanning, and they need help expanding. It would be perfect, actually. Exactly the kind of thing I'd love to do."
"That sounds amazing." I study her face. "But you don't look excited about it."
"I'm scared," she admits. "What if I commit and then realize I hate it? Or what if I'm not good enough? Aunt Meredith thinks I should absolutely do it, and Zoe and Troy have been so patient, but I keep putting off giving them an answer."
"Why?"
"Because saying yes feels like such a big adult decision, and I used to bounce these things off my dad." Her voice gets softer. "He'd help me think through the pros and cons, tell me when I was overthinking things. But he's not here, and I'm just... stuck."
I pull her closer, feeling her tremble slightly—whether from cold or emotion, I'm not sure. "What does your gut tell you?"
"That I'd love it. That it's right up my alley." She looks up at me. "But what if?—"
"Hey." I cup her face in my hands. "There are no guarantees in life, Christmas angel. But from what I've seen? You're incredible at this. The way you transformed that cabin, the vision you have, how you make every space feel magical—that's not something to take lightly. That's innate talent."
"You think so?"
"I know so." I brush my thumb across her cheek. "And if you try it and it doesn't work out? Then you try something else. That's allowed. You don't have to have your whole life figured out at twenty-two."
"Says the man who's probably known what he wanted to do since birth."
"I've been a cop for fifteen years, Nia. You think I didn't have doubts in the beginning? Times when I wondered if I made the right choice?" I smile. "The only difference is I had my family to lean on. To talk things through with."
She blinks rapidly. "I miss having that. Having him."
"I know." I press a kiss to her forehead. "But you have your aunt. And Zoe and Troy sound like they'd support you. And..." I hesitate. "You have me."
She smiles.
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to rush this decision. Take your time and think about it. But don't let fear hold you back."
"That's really good advice, Deputy Giles."
"I have my moments." I pull her against my chest again, and we stand there holding each other.
Ledger’s words echo in my head.Tell her what you want.
“Nia,” I start, then stop. How exactly do I say this? How do I tell her that in just a few days she’s completely upended my world?
