Page 65 of All I Want For Christmas Is You

“I do, too.” Snow piled high on either side of the road, making it feel like a tunnel. “But it’s okay. We got to spend some good time together.”

“Why do you sound so sad?”

He didn’t know what to say. I’m going to miss Margot sounded pretty foolish. And what would she tell him anyway? You knew her for two days. Once you get back to work and your life in Calamity, you’ll forget all about her.

That’s what anyone would tell him.

But it wouldn’t be true.

He’d never forget her because she’d changed him. He was alive, all his senses awakened, and there wasn’t a chance he could go back to his routine. “I spent a lot of time with Margot.” He paused, unsure how much to tell her. “And it wasn’t easy saying goodbye.”

“Okay, wow. I’m shook. I’m literally shook. Not that you like her because, swear to God, Dad, you’ve never looked at anyone the way you look at her. But the fact that you spent time with her… Like, that’s what you’ve been doing? Way to go.”

“It’s over now.”

“Hm, there’s something weird in your voice. What’s going on, Dad?”

“Nothing. Let’s stop talking about it. It’s done. I’m moving on.”

“Are you sure about that? You’ve known a lot of people in your life. Did anyone ever make you feel the way she does?”

“No.” Irritation spread like a rash across his skin. “What’s your point? You think I should walk away from the mine? From Walker and Colt? You think I should move to North Carolina?”

“Of course not. That would be silly.”

He grew uneasy. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. He wanted his daughter to pluck a solution out of thin air.

And then, she said, “I think Margot should move to Calamity.”

Something inside his chest popped open, and possibility flooded him. “She’s not going to do that.” He only said it to staunch the flow. The idea was absurd. He shouldn’t even entertain it. “She’s got no savings, no income. She can’t afford her own place. Besides, she can’t just pick up and move in with some guy she’s known for two days.”

Can she?

Would she?

“Okay, let me think.”

“There’s nothing to think about. It’s not going to happen.” He should never have told her about it. This is a problem that doesn’t have a solution. “Look, everything’s fine. I had a great time with her, but now it’s time to get back to reality. I’ll call you when I’m home.”

“Now, hold on a second. Let’s give this some thought.”

Yes, let’s do that. Please. “It’s a waste of time.” He didn’t need false hope.

“I don’t know her whole story, but she’s living in a room at the lodge, right?”

“Yes.”

“So, that sounds like a temporary situation.”

“It is.”

“Which means she needs money.”

She was going somewhere with this, and normally, he might keep up with her. “That’s right.” But right then, he had too much noise in his head.

“And you have a mall that’s sitting there empty.”

He grew impatient for her to make the connections. “She’s an artist, not a commercial realtor.”

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