Page 211 of Santa Daddies
Because that’s what she was.
“I need to go to bed.” Jumping up, she rinsed her plate and took her soda with her as she raced off to bed. Getting into her room, she took a moment to just breathe.
What had just happened?
Setting the soda down and wishing she’d thought to grab some water, she opened her suitcase and drew out Lola, her ballerina mouse.
Alice had gotten Lola when she was a child. George had thought it was ridiculous that she still had a toy at thirty-one. But it was one of the few things she’d stood up to him about.
Sure, she’d had to hide her away, but she’d kept Lola safe.
Her parents had died when she was twenty-four and she was an only child. Lola was one of the few things she had left of her childhood.
The stuffed mouse was her only friend. And she’d never let anyone hurt her.
Chapter Five
Alice walked into the living room the next morning. She’d had trouble getting to sleep, but once she had, she’d slept like the dead.
Then she’d delayed coming out here for as long as possible. But she was dressed, her stuff packed, and she should really leave before she outstayed her welcome.
Only problem was that it was still snowing outside.
And she felt really nervous about driving in it.
“Good morning,” she said as she stepped into the kitchen to find him at the coffee pot.
He grunted. “How do you take your coffee?”
“Oh, I can make it.”
Turning, he shot her a look and she swallowed nervously.
“Hazelnut creamer, please. It’s in the fridge.”
Without a word, he made her coffee and put it on the counter.
“Thanks,” she whispered. “I should, um, get going soon.”
“Nope.”
“Nope?” she repeated, her heart racing.
He gestured to the window. “It’s a storm out there. No driving in that. Especially when you’re not experienced with driving in these conditions.”
“Oh. I, um, I don’t want to put you out, though.”
Something that looked like amusement filled his face. “What are you going to do if I tell you that you are putting me out?”
“Figure out how to drive in a snowstorm?”
He shook his head. “You’re staying until the storm passes.”
Relief filled her even if he was being extremely bossy.
“Thank you.”
He waved a hand through the air in response.
