Page 94 of Home for the Holidays

“I’m proud of you.”

“And the PFLAG chapter is booming. Who knew a town of twenty-five hundred people needed such a safe space?”

“Safe spaces are needed everywhere, Mom,” Iris said. She hoped her mom understood exactly what she meant. The look on her face made her think that maybe she did get it. Finally.

CHAPTERFORTY-THREE

“Looks like you’ve been relegated to the three seasons room, hmm?”

Skip looked up from the newspaper and gave Heidi a warm grin. “I’m actually planning on moving into this room if you’re okay with it.” He smoothed his hand over Maddie’s head. She was lying right next to him on the couch cushions, her head in his lap, and she wagged her tail.

“Man, she really loves you.”

“Y’know,” he started, a sad tone in his voice, “I used to have a golden just like her. Her name was Dorothy. I loved that dog so much.”

Heidi heard him sniffle and her heart broke for him.

“Little Maddie here reminds me of her.”

“Well, you’re more than welcome to monopolize her time while you’re here.”

“Seems like we might be here more often.” He looked up at her. It was so strange that he wasn’t Iris’s real father because their eyes were the same shape, color, everything. “I hope you’re okay with that.”

“I’m absolutely fine with that, but…” She smiled. “Do you know something I don’t?”

He shrugged. “No, but it seems like you and Iris might be”—he cleared his throat—“y’know, in a relationship or whatever it’s called.”

“‘Whatever it’s called’, hmm?”

“Can I tell you something?”

“Absolutely.” Heidi leaned back and propped her feet on the ottoman. “Shoot, mister.”

Skip laughed a wonderful old man laugh. “I’ve been with Mary for most of my adult life. I don’t know how much Iris has told you, but we were seeing each other way before either of our divorces from our previous partners were even filed. I don’t think either of us is proud of that, and Mary would probably skin me alive if she knew I was telling you this.”

“My lips are sealed,” Heidi said softly. Her heart had grown three sizes for this man in the span of ten minutes. He was so sincere and genuine. Again, how was he not Iris’s biological father? They were so similar.

“My point to all of this is that when you know, you just know, y’know?” His eyes sparkled. “I don’t say, a relationship or whatever it’s called as a dig to two women being together. I could tell the second I saw you two standing next to each other, the way you both looked at each other, the protectiveness you had for Iris, that whatever you have, it’s something special. Sure, a relationship is what we all call these long-term dances we participate in. But beyond a relationship, I think exists something deeper.”

Heidi could feel her eyes had welled with tears. She reached up and wiped a stray one as it escaped down her cheek. “You’re a wise man, Skip.”

He reached over and gently patted her knee. “You take care of her, you hear? She’s important to me.”

“I will never hurt her.”

“Hey, what’s going on in here?” Iris’s voice shook both Heidi and Skip from their moment. “Is everything alright?”

Skip stood, Maddie right behind him, and cleared his throat. “I’m gonna go check on your mom and get some more coffee. Keep that fire stoked for me.”

Heidi watched as Skip kissed Iris on the cheek before he left the room. She chuckled at Maddie, hot on his tail. “My dog is in love with your dad.”

“He’s a pretty great guy.” Iris sat next to Heidi, leaned forward and kissed her gently, then settled into the cushions of the couch. “So, I just had a conversation with my mom.”

“Oh? How’d that go?”

“Really well, actually.” Iris grinned. “Now I’d like to run something by you.”

“Why does that sound ominous?” Heidi chuckled before she took Iris’s coffee and sipped it.

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