Page 5 of Christmas in Kiwi Country

“Oh, um…” she starts and Isla rolls her eyes.

“Think about it and get back to me,” my daughter says like it’s a foregone conclusion that Gwen and I are in this for the long haul.

And she’s right.

We’ve taken things slow, actually dating and getting to know each other without the pressure of everything else.

It’s refreshing and exciting in a way I never knew love could be. She’s my person and the thought never fails to make me smile.

“Dad,” Isla says, “can you call Uncle Gene? Maybe get Oakey to hack into his online shopping account and block him from sending things? The shower isn’t forweeksand if he tells me one more time ‘don’t worry, it was on sale’I’m going to send a glitter bomb to his office.” She huffs and I take my hand in hers and squeeze as I look her in the eyes.

“He means well.”

“I know but—”

“I’ll talk to him and I’ll have Tom keep an eye on him.” Tom Oakden, the private investigator at Andrews International, is a personal friend on top of being the best damn asset the company could ask for.

“Thank you.” Isla rubs her belly and then looks at Gwen. “Can you see if Hank left any snacks for me?” Gwen chuckles and goes to the fridge, pulling out three different containers.

“I couldn’t find anything,” Gwen deadpans as she sets the containers onto the table and pops the top off the first one.

“My husband is the best,” Isla says as she takes a bite of a puff pastry and moans. Twin feelings of happiness at her being so well loved and cared for and hurt at knowing that my ex-wife had never uttered those words about me slide through me.

Even after all these years, her betrayal still burns deep inside me.

“Are you ready?” Gwen asks softly, and I nod.

“Are you all right until Hank gets home?” I ask Isla as I place my hand on her belly again.

She smiles around another bite and nods. “He won’t be much longer, and he promised me a massage, to talk baby names and,”—she eyes me and smirks—“other things.”

“Thanks for sugarcoating that for me,” I say with a chuckle before standing and kissing my daughter on the cheek.

“Just trying to protect your virgin ears, Daddy.” Gwen snorts and then innocently widens her eyes when I glare at her. The women cackle and I just shake my head as Gwen and Isla say goodbye.

We need to swing by the orchard on the way to dinner, but after our visit with Isla, I’m exhausted both mentally and emotionally.

I open the passenger door for Gwen, but instead of getting in, she turns and places her palm on my cheek.

“Let’s go back to my house and I’ll make you something while you relax.” My mouth opens and closes, but she only steps into me to place a soft kiss on my lips. “You need to relax; let me take care of you.”

My forehead rests against hers, and I sigh as the weight of the day presses down on me.

“You’ll feel better after a good meal and some sleep. There’s nothin’ that can’t wait till tomorrow.”

The wordsI don’t deserve youthreaten to escape but I swallow them down for fear of a wrath of a different sort. Instead, I rub my nose against hers until she tilts her head enough for me to take her mouth in a thorough kiss.

“Thank you,” I whisper against her lips.

“Just know you’re doin’ the dishes,” she teases, but she’s only half kidding and I don’t mind at all.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She swats at my chest. “Sweet talker.”

“You know it, Red.” She chuckles and then slides into the seat. Closing her door, I breathe out the tension and send up a silent prayer.

I’m thankful to be alive.

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