Page 90 of All I Want For Christmas Is You

“It’s funny that you don’t even ask questions. Don’t you want to know if he’s happy? If they got the funding?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Part of me hopes he’s miserable and misses the effort I put into our relationship.” Because she was damn sure Petra didn’t put in half as much. “But the money part…I guess I don’t let myself go there. We’re divorced, so I’m not going to benefit from his success or be impacted by his failure.”

For a moment, she really looked at her beautiful daughter, and instead of seeing the teenager who’d come home shouting, “Mom?” and kicking off her shoes and dropping her coat on the foyer floor, she saw a woman.

And the only way to bridge the unavoidable physical distance was to establish a deep and true emotional one. “To be honest, it’s a relief not to be responsible for his moods. He’s great when he’s happy, but the moment things go sideways, he gets—”

“Depressed. Yeah, I saw that. His mood swings were always scary. We kind of tiptoed around him.”

“I didn’t know you noticed.”

“Oh, absolutely. Owen and I would lay low till it passed. I used to say there was only room for Dad’s emotions in our house.”

“Isn’t it funny how I tried to shield you from something so obvious?”

“To be honest, it would’ve helped if you’d talked to us about stuff like that since we were too young to understand what was going on. We only knew something was off.” She grinned. “In any event, I can’t wait to see Dad’s face when you show up with your hot cowboy. What do you bet Petra’s going to flirt her ass off?”

“Ah, well, unfortunately, Beau can’t come.”

“Are you serious? Why not?”

“He’s got a crisis at the mine.”

Her daughter didn’t look disappointed or concerned, as Margot expected. She looked resigned. “Why does this sound so familiar?”

“What do you mean? He’s nothing like your dad. He’d come with me if he could. He wants to.”

“Okay. But you can’t blame me for being worried about you. You met this guy a week ago, and now, you’re living with him. I just don’t want a repeat of your marriage, where his life takes over yours.”

It rang a bell inside her, and she had to wonder if it was true.

“You just got your freedom. I don’t want you putting aside your work so Beau can handle his, you know?” Emerson’s gaze cut toward the door, and she broke into a huge smile. “Noah’s here. We’re going surfing.” She looked back at the screen. “I’ve got to go, Mom. I’m sorry if I upset you. I just want you to be happy, and if you tell me this guy’s right for you, then I’ll support you all the way.”

“Thank you.” She gave an uneasy smile. “That means a lot.”

“So, can you come early?”

“Yes, absolutely. After we get off the phone, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks, Mom. Talk to you later.”

“Can’t wait to hug you. Bye, sweetie.”

Unnerved, she got up and headed into Beau’s office so she could check out the flights on his computer. It was a warm, cozy space with dark paneling, built-in bookcases, and Beau’s scent filling every crevice.

Why does this sound so familiar?

Because, to an outsider, it was. Her daughter didn’t know Beau’s honesty, didn’t see their intense connection. She didn’t know Beau treated her so well.

For God’s sake, he might lose the mine. Of course, he had to be there.

Her fingers fumbled on the keyboard, and she had to retype the airline’s website.

Her ex was always in crisis. The markets crashed, he didn’t get the bonus he’d earned, someone had presented his idea to the board… It was a constant refrain. I can’t go on vacation, to the party, to the game, to dinner.

I don’t want you putting your work aside so Beau can handle his.

For three days, she’d taken care of Colt, fed Lorelei, and cleaned the kitchen countless times. But she hadn’t worked. She’d put her business on hold while Beau dealt with his crisis.

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