Page 25 of Bragg's Christmas

Relief fills me. There’s no emergency. Skye is merely being a typical five-year-old and having a temper tantrum.

I wipe the tears from her face. “He wouldn’t?”

She sticks out her bottom lip. “It’s true.”

Damon sighs. “I read you five stories.”

“But notMatilda! I wantMatilda!”

“Why don’t I read you a chapter fromMatilda?”

“Yes!”

“But you have to promise to go to sleep after one chapter. Promise?”

“I promise!” She jumps out of my arms onto the bed. She pushes her dad out of her way before crawling under the covers.

My shoes squeak as I make my way to the chair next to the bed and pick up the book.

“You’re soaked,” Damon says.

“Excellent observation skills. Give the man an A plus.”

“I’ll get you a towel.”

I wait for him to return and place the towel on the chair before sitting down.

“What are you doing?”

“There goes your A plus for observation.” I hold up the book. “Reading to your daughter.”

“No. I mean with the towel.”

I roll my eyes. “What do you think? I’m sitting on it so the chair won’t get wet.”

“You’re supposed to be drying yourself off.”

“I’m fine.” I shoo him away.

I wait until he’s gone before I open the book and begin reading. I’m halfway through the chapter when Skye falls asleep. I close the book and place it on her nightstand before tiptoeing into the hallway where Damon is waiting for me.

He grasps my hand and tugs me down the hallway to the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” I hiss.

“Drying you off.” He grabs a towel and throws it over my head before starting to dry my hair.

I slap at his hands until he gives up and drops the towel.

“I don’t need to be dried. I’m going to get wet again when I walk home anyway.”

“Walk home? Is it safe to walk home in the middle of the night?”

Did he forget I walked over here less than an hour ago?

“It’s Winter Falls.”

“Why does everyone think saying ‘It’s Winter Falls’ is an answer. It’s not.”

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