Page 76 of Home for the Holidays

The only thing she heard was Nora’s tiny voice saying, “Sandy, why are you kissing Gramma?”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

When Iris could no longer handle the emotions of the morning, she stood up and excused herself. She needed a breath of fresh air, and she needed itstat. Little did she know that she had been followed out of the living room, though, so when she turned abruptly to head outside, she smacked right into Stanley and realized her escape plan was ruined.

“My god, are you okay?” he asked, clearly concerned. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m good. Thank you. I’m just gonna go grab some air.” She motioned toward the door.

“Why don’t you come with me?” He waved for her to follow him.

Against her better judgment, she did as he said and followed him through the house to the back, where there was a three-season room. She’d seen the room briefly when Zac gave her the thirty-second tour, but seeing it now, in broad daylight with the snow covering everything, was beautiful. The backyard was huge, with a giant tree in the middle and an old swing set off to the side.

“Wow, this is gorgeous,” she said as she stared out into the yard.

“This house is all her.” He sighed as he sat on a wicker couch across from the room’s fireplace. “All Heidi, I mean.”

The snow was all she could focus on until he patted the seat next to him. She was way too nervous for this conversation, wherever it was leading. When she finally sat, the couch creaked quietly beneath, but it was comfortable. She felt better because of that.

She looked at the fireplace across from where they were sitting. The wood inside was lit and was putting out a decent amount of warmth considering how cold the room was.

“So,” he said. He was holding a mug of coffee. On his middle finger was a huge, flat onyx ring. She couldn’t take her eyes off it. “I want to talk to you about Zac.”

Was that supposed to make her feel better? “Oh.”

“And Heidi.”

“Oh.”

He cleared his throat. He was an attractive man with the kindest eyes. “Heidi told me about Zac.”

Iris didn’t respond.

“And she told me about her.” He paused. “And you.”

She still didn’t respond. She didn’t know what to say.

“And you probably know this already, but Sandy is in love with her.”

“I figured,” she finally responded, but it came out as a whisper.

“She always has been.” He sipped his coffee, crossed his left leg over his right, and sighed deeply. “I want her to be happy, Iris. I want Zac to be happy.”

“I agree.”

“Sandy is safe.”

Her heart sank. “What?”

“She’s safe. Comfortable. And she’s Heidi’s best friend. Someone who isn’t going to hurt her. Ever.”

Iris looked away at the fire but focused on the crackling.

“You aren’t moving here; we both know that. But Heidi?” He let out another deep sigh. “She’s too new at this to realize what’s real and what’s fantasy.”

“And I’m the fantasy?”

“Yes.”

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