Chapter Twenty

Olivia tossed and turned in Victor’s former bedroom, kicking herself for being too cowardly to sneak next door into the refuge of Dave’s arms. The viewings at the funeral home yesterday had been hard enough after the longest week of her life. Today…She had to get through today and hold herself together. She wanted the funeral over and done and her family out of her hair.

Tomorrow.

She sighed and slipped from bed. After quietly dressing and washing up, she escaped outside for a walk. With Aunt Julia and Uncle Denton sleeping on the living room sofa bed, she couldn’t even make coffee. The sunrise barely lit the horizon under a gray overcast. Eyes pinned to the ground, she walked to the end of the dock, skipping the bench to sit on the edge looking east, unable to face the charred ruins.

Oh, Uncle Jake…She tugged her light sweater against the cool, damp morning. So much lost, so much. Insurance could replace only so much. Nonna’s china cabinet and coffee cups, Kay’s painting, Dave’s guitar, all gone forever. She shook with the contrary needs to curl into a ball and hide from everything and scream her anger.

Maybe Daddy was right. Maybe she should just let go. The building might as well have burned to the ground. Even silly old Peppino was gone, shattered into unrepairable chunks. She needed to hear from the insurance company and Uncle Jake’s attorney and from Dixon, but she couldn’t imagine any recourse remained but to rebuild from bare ground or find a new location. She needed estimates, plans. She needed time to think without Daddy breathing down her neck. They’d be closed for Lord knows how long. She couldn’t ask her employees to hang tough and wait. They needed an income. Their customers would move on. So many decisions. She’d be starting over at zero. Her breath and pulse raced, gathering speed with her panic. How could she do this, how—

Uneven footsteps on the dock boards startled her.

Dave levered himself down to sit beside her. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“No,” she gasped.

He tugged her close. “Hey, hey, what going on?”

She sagged into his embrace and fought to slow her breathing. “I’m so tired and today is…going to be hard. I’m sorry about Daddy…all my family. Daddy’s been so rude to you.” Mama was friendly to Dave, but Daddy was showing no signs of warming. Did Daddy blame Dave for Uncle Jake’s death?

Dave pressed a kiss to her hair. “Shh. He’s grieving. I can deal.” His fingers tightened and gentled. He chuckled. “Anyway, your family’s not so bad. Reminds me of Nate’s and Lloyd’s families when my parents passed. People up my ass everywhere.”

“I love them, but they’re making me crazy.” A fresh stab of panic hit. Dave had lost his parents. She would too…

“Exactly. Been there. Done that. But, trust me, having them helps.”

They sat quietly, watching the first bright thread of sun slice above the horizon and clear blue seep through the overcast. Her crazed nerves eased.

“Want some coffee?”

“Desperately, but I can’t face any of them yet.”

“I’ve got my keys and wallet. We’ll go on down the road.”

They found a pancake house on Highway 1 and ordered breakfast along with their coffee.

“This is the first time we’ve gone out together.” He took a long sip of coffee, and flicked his amber gaze to her, humor sharpening his soft smile. “Guess we can say we’re dating now?”

His playful remark lifted her heart and she smiled. Strange, but true. “I guess we can.”

He clasped her hand. “Everything’s going to work out.”

“Daddy’s not like this. Rude. He’s more…” She shrugged.

Dave nodded and tightened his grip. “Like I said, he’s grieving. He’s not himself. More, he’s your dad, and he’s worried for you. He just wants the best for you.”

“He wants to make every decision for me. I can’t let him, but standing up to him is exhausting. I wish I knew the right thing to do. I have to make plans.” Overwhelming panic crushed down. “But everything’s gone!”

“You don’t have to do it all today. I’ll help. I’m here as long as you need me.”

What if I need you forever? And you have to go back to California…

“Livie, I can see those gears churning away. He’s not running me off. We’ll get through today. One minute at a time, one hour at a time, like you told me. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.”

Her hope Daddy would let things drop at least for today was dashed the moment Dave headed upstairs to shower.

Daddy cornered her in the kitchen. “Livie, your mama and I want you to come home with us tomorrow. You need a break from the stress here. Come home and rest. There’s nothing here you can’t handle by phone for the next several weeks, if not through the New Year.”

The concern for her stress was the last straw. Livie gritted her teeth, folded her arms, and faced her parents. Time to break their hopes. Time to use what she’d learned through Dave and Jake’s examples and encouragement and show she was strong enough to choose her own path.

“No.”

Her nerves swooped in a rollercoaster plunge. Oh, my. She’d told Daddy an unqualified no for the first time in her life.

Olivia straightened her shoulders and raised her chin. “First off, I’m not moving back to Savannah. My home is in Florida. This is where I want to live. Secondly, I’m not returning to nursing. Ever. Yes, I was an excellent nurse, but I never wanted that career. I only became a nurse because I wanted to make you happy. The stress was eating me alive. No matter what you hope, it’s over.”

She took a steadying swallow of coffee against the sick swimming in her belly. She ignored Daddy’s sputtered protests and Mama’s quiet concerned interjections and readied her mind to face her next challenge in this talk.

She set her mug down sharply, interrupting the rising flood of parental upset. “No, and that’s final. Next, Daddy, you had no right to go behind my back and do what you and Uncle Jake did with R.J. I know everything. Yes, I’m glad the divorce was settled quickly. I can’t deny that. My marriage to R.J. was a disaster, but you shouldn’t have meddled in my divorce. You should have told me what you learned from the private investigator. It was my marriage and my divorce. My life. My decisions to make.”

“You’re our little girl. R.J. hurt you, and we didn’t see you were hurting. I had no choice but to fix the situation. We don’t want you hurt again. You’re making too many changes too fast, honey. You need to come home and consider your future.”

They hadn’t heard a word, had they? “I know you worry. I know you love me, but I’m an adult. Don’t go behind my back again. I love the business Uncle Jake built. The bar’s mine now, and I will rebuild. I’d like your blessing. I don’t need your permission. This doesn’t mean I don’t want your advice. I am simply telling you what I plan to do and what I want for me. Please trust me. I’ve learned a great deal about myself, what I’m good at, and what makes me happy. Let me love this new life I’m making for myself and be proud of me. I can do this. I love Dave. If he’s meant to remain in my life, please accept my choice.”

“He’s not the kind of man you need.”

“Dave’s a hundred times the man R.J. was! He’s a good man and I love him.” Her heart and stomach churned and her hands shook, but an astonishing weight lifted from Olivia’s heart and mind. She’d stood up for herself. She walked to the coffeemaker and refilled her cup.

“Olivia, you’re not thinking clearly.”

“I’m done discussing this.”

Mama wrung her hands. “Please at least come home for Thanksgiving, honey.”

She shook her head. “No, Mama, I have too much to take care of here. Now, you’ll have to excuse me, I need to shower.”

Daddy’s sober, set glower and Mama’s torn worry sent her heart sinking. She may have stood firm, but they weren’t ready to accept her independence.

True to his word, Dave stuck right at her side the whole day, strong and handsome in the white shirt, black slacks, and charcoal jacket and tie, staunch through every effort to separate them, the innocent and the purposeful, through the church service and the graveside service. He held her close and had tissues handy when she finally broke under a week’s worth of tears as the casket was lowered to join her aunt and cousin.

An interminable luncheon followed the funeral. As they waited for their entrees, Dave slipped his hand into hers, softly squeezed, and spoke softly in her ear. “What do you think? Does this meal count as a second date?”

Swallowing laughter and grief, her eyes filling at his attempt to cheer her, she whispered back, “Yes.”

****

Despite the welcome peace of the now empty house, Dave found the next few days were a hell of their own. He was unable to fix a damned thing for Livie as her parents’ strong desires and her grief and frustration kept her torn. She didn’t want to be held. She didn’t want comforting. She didn’t want to talk.

The evening of the nineteenth arrived, and Livie hadn’t made a decision on Thanksgiving at her parents. In this one small matter he’d nudge her along before the rift between her and her parents worsened.

He gathered her close in bed. “I want you to call your mom in the morning and tell her we’re coming for Thanksgiving. We’ll stay the one night, and drive home Friday morning.” Crazy how easily saying home came to him these days.

“It’s going to be…” She buried her face against his neck.

A total pain in the ass. A six-hour drive without counting in the holiday traffic problems. A pissed off dad. Fancy duds and small talk with strangers. But his comfort was far less important than her spending time with her parents.

“It’s going to be fine. No worries now. As I said before, Mrs. Quinn housebroke me years ago. I even know how to use those weird little forks.”

Livie laughed weakly and tightened her arms.

“Look, you need to be with your folks. Yeah, your dad might hassle you, but in the end, he can’t make you do anything you don’t want to. If being there gets too heavy for you, you give the word and we’ll leave. So, first thing tomorrow, call your mom. Okay?”

She sighed, long and weary. “Okay.”

They really had opposite parents, didn’t they? Livie’s parents cared, hovered, meddled. His parents? As hands off as could be without being criminally neglectful. But…

Scattered sparks of old memories he’d spent years avoiding fired in his mind, lighting off new recollections—happy, ignorant ones from long before the fire destroyed the house and his parents’ dreams. Mom’s laughter and clapping as he played “Pop Goes the Weasel” on the piano, Dad handing him a tiny, squirming, yipping Barney, teaching him to train the pup…

He also remembered the angry jerk-ass stuff he’d done after the fire, desperate to get their attention, scared by their depression and slide into addiction, but he’d only baffled and hurt them and distanced them all the more. He’d give anything to change so much.

Dark and early on Thanksgiving morning, they loaded his truck. Her new dress and his rental tux hung together in the garment bag. Livie had spent the prior day fighting her stress by baking up a storm and the spicy scent of her efforts filled the truck.

Before starting the engine, he pulled the flat jeweler’s box from his jacket pocket.

He cleared his throat. “I got you something.” He set the box into her hand. “So if things get heavy, you can remember I’m there with you.”

She opened the box. “Oh, it’s beautiful. Thank you.” She let him clasp the delicate chain about her neck.

He’d worried the heart shape might be corny, but on her the modest diamond and gold pendant glinting above her breasts was perfect.

“I love you.” His declaration slipped out, straight and easy. Those three little words hit him with a rush. He’d been a fool waiting so long to tell her that simple truth.

“I know. I love you, too.” Her sweet joyous smile would stay with him the rest of his life.

He stroked her hair and drew her close into a slow, soft, heated kiss, just mouths touching, full of promise.

One last kiss, and he pulled away. “No worries now, okay?” He turned the key.

The miles flew by, the only traffic hassle was in Jacksonville, and they arrived at her parents’ home just before noon. He’d seen pictures, but viewing the genteel mansion set in its pristine landscaping drove home their different backgrounds.

Stop. Doesn’t matter. Livie’s all that matters.

Louise must have been watching at the window because she flew out the front door and met them on the steps before he’d parked the truck. The teary hug between Livie and her mom was worth whatever annoyances lurked ahead, and Louise had a warm smile and kiss hello for him, buoying his determination to make this evening work for Livie.

Louise drew Dave through the reintroductions to Livie’s relatives. This party was uncomfortably like Wake Part Two. For Dave, standing on the periphery of conversations with strangers about other strangers was mostly boring, but Livie’s strain remained high.

Paul arrived downstairs, and the tense, reserved greeting between Livie and her dad worried Dave. Maybe pushing her into this was a mistake after all. Paul shook his hand, cool but civil, and made small talk about the drive and weather.

Lunch was informal grazing on appetizers and snacks, leaving Dave wishing Livie and he could escape down the road for a good burger and a ball game. These people didn’t even watch the parade. The afternoon dragged on, and the only bright spots were when Livie’s hand slipped into his, or rested lightly on his waist, or when she’d nestle into his embrace.

Finally, Louise excused herself to dress for dinner and others followed.

Dave gave a private cheer for the intermission in small talk. “I suppose I should find where my clothes are stashed.”

“Helen told me. Come on, I’ll show you.” Carrying her wine with her, Livie led him up the elegant curving staircase.

He ran a hand over the satiny, handcrafted banister. Dad would have loved this place. Her parents kept the home in gleaming, museum-quality perfection. “Lloyd would get a kick out of this house. You ever see his custom work?”

“I’ve seen pictures of some of his projects, and their house is gorgeous. Daddy did much of the restoration around here himself. I’ll have to show you the before and after photo album. It wasn’t as rundown as Christopher and Margie’s place, but I remember Mama teasing him about always smelling of varnish and polish.”

He’d never have picked Paul as one to work with his hands, but the attention to detail fit the man.

“Mama’s office will be your room tonight. Okay?” She cast him an apologetic glance and led him into a sitting room containing a feminine desk, computer, rows of serious books lining the walls, and a wrought iron daybed overlooking the gardens. His tux hung ready on the door and his bag sat beside the daybed.

Livie wrapped her arms around his waist. “I wish you were staying in my room with me, but…”

Dave tipped her face to his. “I’m cool. It’s one night. A few hours.” He kissed her lightly. “Anyone ever tell you, you worry too much?”

She laughed. “I’ll show you the bathroom you can use.”

He grabbed his toiletry kit and clothes.

As they stepped into the hall, her aunt Julia flounced through an adjacent door swathed in a skimpy robe and towel-wrapped hair. He probably flushed more than her aunt during the brief hello.

“Guess that’s the bathroom.”

Livie’s cheeks pinked. “That one will be overrun with my aunts and cousins. You’ll share mine.”

She led him through the last door. He’d have known this bedroom was hers just by the light scent of her perfume and familiar warm feminine style.

He brushed a kiss to her cheek. “Let me clean up quick while you relax and finish your wine. Then you can take your time getting ready.”

“Okay.” Livie curled into the easy chair and sipped at her wine.

He showered briskly, shaved carefully, and dressed, knotting the tie right on the first try. He tidied his stuff on the counter where she’d left him space and stepped from the bathroom.

“All done.”

The heat warming Livie’s luminous brown eyes and smile made the day’s petty annoyances fade away.

He gathered her into a kiss, slow and savoring. “Can’t wait to see you in that dress.”

Back in her mother’s office, he slipped off the jacket and stretched out on the daybed for a quick catnap.

Twenty minutes later, his cell buzzed with Livie on the line. “I need help with my zipper. The door’s unlocked.”

“Be right there.”

He found Livie in front of a cheval mirror. The long, sleek emerald dress hugged her slim body with clever tucks and pleats, demure and mouth-wateringly sexy at the same time. His necklace glittered at her cleavage. If only this party was long over.

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re beautiful.”

She smiled. “And so are you.”

“Yeah, I clean up okay on occasion.” He winked.

“I’d forgotten the saleslady helped me zip.” She turned, displaying the lovely line of her back. “I’m stuck.”

He pressed a kiss to her nape and slowly drew up the zipper. Wrapping her in his arms, he met her eyes in the mirror. “I’m with you, all the way. No worries tonight.”

Livie nodded. “No worries.”

Mixing and mingling at this fancy party was like playing a part in one of those old movies JoAnn loved so much. Louise introduced him around to new arrivals as Livie’s young man and a firefighter, which he supposed was a positive upgrade from “friend,” and he let correcting the career slide. The food was outstanding, the wine was great, the crowd kept Paul on his best behavior, and seeing Livie finally relax made wearing the tux and tie worth the trouble.

By the time the last guest said goodnight, Dave’s leg was grumbling, and he was ready to hit the sack. He walked Livie to her bedroom door. “Need help with the zip?”

“Please.”

The hallway was clear of aunts, cousins, and other relations. He drew down the zipper, enjoying the long, slow reveal of skin, the delicate black lace band of her bra, and finally, the small matching triangle of panties. He stroked her sleek, silk-covered hips and turned her to him, taking the openmouthed, hungry, sweet kiss that he’d been needing all day and that would have to hold him for the night.

Livie stiffened and jerked away with a tiny choking noise, looking down the hall with wide eyes.

Dave glanced over his shoulder. Ah, shit. Paul stood by the stairs, wearing a damn good poker face.

He caressed her cheek, dropped a tender kiss to her lips, wishing her worries away. “No worries now. Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.” He drew the door closed between them and faced Paul.

Paul flicked an inscrutable glance over Dave. “Join me for a drink?”

Hell, fine. “Sure.” He followed Paul downstairs into a classic mahogany and leather study.

Paul poured drinks from two different decanters. Still wearing that serious poker face, he handed Dave one chunky amber-filled glass. “Have a seat.”

Dave eased into the leather wingback chair, a sigh escaping him as the usual aches flared.

Paul’s gaze sharpened. “Are you in pain?” He sounded almost concerned.

“I’m fine. Simply too much standing.” He sipped at the fine smoky single malt.

“Louise tells me I have you to thank for Olivia being here today.” Paul settled into the opposite chair like a king taking his throne.

“Family needs to be together.”

“She’s angry with me.”

“She wants your support, and she’s grieving.”

“I love my daughter.” Paul gave him a long withering stare. “With R.J. I made a serious misjudgment of character. I will not let her rebound from a failed marriage into another relationship only to be hurt again.”

Dave locked gazes with Paul. “I love Livie.” No staring match could shake him on that truth. “No matter what the future holds, I will always do my best for her.” He understood his dad better now, how Mom remained the absolute center of Dad’s life despite their demons.

Dad’s grumble ghosted through his mind: If you’re going to do something, do it right the first damned time.

Dad may have sucked as a parent, but he’d faithfully practiced that theory in his love for Mom to his last breath. For the first time in his life, Dave was glad he was something like his dad. He’d found his own center in Livie.

He loved Livie. If he’d loved Tess like he loved Livie, he never would have let them break apart. What he’d called love then, and what he had now with Livie, was the difference between a match flame and a forest fire. A match flame was hot, but held only potential, too easily snuffed. A forest fire changed everything and opened the way for nature to bring new life to the land.

“Livie mentioned you’ll be returning to California. I have some connections in Sacramento and Portland in private land conservancy—”

“No,” Dave interrupted firmly, biting down his anger. “As for firefighting, that’s over.” Somehow, stating that here and now, after all the miles of running from decisions, made the truth more final. More true. Not just because of the leg. In a way, that life he’d loved had been as toxic for him as smoke, the duty and danger letting him run from the real risks: his relationships with the people in his life. “No disrespect intended, but, as I’ve told you before, I’m not leaving Livie. As long as she needs me, I’m here.”

“And if she no longer needs you…” Paul trailed off coolly.

Dave took a swallow of whisky to keep from telling the man to go to hell. Had Paul given R.J. this talk? Maybe he should have. Hell, if Paul tried to buy him off again…“Look, Paul, I figure you’ve checked me out. Hell, you probably know my bank balances.” Got a twitch out of Paul on that shot. “They’re a spit in the bucket compared to what R.J. had to offer financially, but I’ve been comfortable. I don’t need your money or Livie’s. I can offer Livie what R.J. never did: I’ll do my damnedest to see she reaches every last one of her dreams. If she wants to rebuild the bar, I’m backing her. If she wants to sell, I’m backing her.”

Paul’s nostrils flared and eyes narrowed under bristling white brows. “I only want what is best for her. I love my daughter.” The husky edge to Paul’s voice vibrated with emotion.

Abruptly, empathy churned with Dave’s anger as the image of Lloyd holding a newborn Daisy flashed in his mind, his stunned face filled with wondering love, morphing into the photo on Jake’s piano of Paul holding Livie. Paul wasn’t simply an arrogant, rich asshole throwing his weight around. He was a father protecting a daughter.

Dave locked eyes with Paul. “Same here. So we’ve got no problem at all, do we?”

Paul raised a brow, so like Jake, and so not. “We’ll see.”

A draw. Fine. He could deal with that. He swallowed the last of the scotch and stood. “Thanks for the drink. See you in the morning.”

****

“It’s Christmas Eve. I will not let Daddy ruin this evening. I will not let him make me crazy this evening. I will smile and ignore his digs.”

Olivia lifted her chin and firmed her smile in the mirror. She’d worked hard to keep this party true to Uncle Jake’s tradition. She squashed the spurt of guilt at being happy Mama and Daddy and her aunts had decided to stay at a hotel, making room at the house for Nate and Kay and the rest of their friends.

Olivia breathed deep and adjusted the shoulders of the little black velvet dress she’d found for the Christmas party. The dress fit her like a decadent second skin, and she’d never be able to sit without crushing the velvet.

Dave knocked at the bathroom door. “Bettie’s niece is here and meeting the kids. Everyone’s ready.”

“I’ll be right out.”

Dave’s footsteps paced around the room.

She slipped into her red satin heels and took one last check in the bathroom mirror. She looked bright, alive, in love. Mama’s ruby earrings twinkled at her ears like festive holly berries. Dave’s necklace sparkled delicately at the beginning of her cleavage. She smiled. Thank goodness for help from well-designed bras.

Ready. Olivia peeked around the door into the master bedroom. They’d moved into the room yesterday. A sad and happy project, redecorating the master bedroom together had been the first step to make Jake’s gift of his home their own. Now the cozy and bright room held a new bedroom set, fresh paint, and new drapes. The ceiling fan’s palm paddles lazily stirred the air. Kay’s early Christmas present of a painting hung on the wall, a radiant dawn of intense pastel light breaking over Lake Mohave. She’d forever miss the Coyote Point painting lost in the fire, but as the old one had struck a chord in her life then, this new one perfectly fit her new life.

Dave stepped into view. Her mouth went dry. His snowy white shirt and red tie set off his clean-shaven jaw, fresh haircut, and tan skin.

Okay, show time. She straightened her shoulders and stepped around the door.

Her efforts were rewarded with his speechless indrawn breath, hot eyes, and hungry smile. He drew her into a sweet demanding kiss, and just when she imagined spontaneous combustion might happen, he gentled the kiss.

His strong hands swept reverently over her body. “Damn, I have a whole new liking for velvet,” he murmured against her mouth. “We have to get downstairs, or tell them to go without us.”

“Right.” They were the hosts of the party. Breathless and hot, leaving his arms was difficult, but she wiped the smudged lipstick from his mouth and straightened his tie.

She laughed. Tangled Christmas lights created the bright pattern of his tie. She repaired her lipstick and picked up her soft red wrap and bag from the bed.

He slipped on his black jacket and grinned. “Let me carry your wrap for you. I need the camouflage.”

They laughed together, and she handed him her wrap.

Christopher and Margie saw them first and waved as she and Dave paused at the head of the stairs. Joy filled Olivia at the sight of their friends waiting below.

Nate whistled from the bottom of the stairs. “Stop right there. I have to get this on film.”

They posed, laughing. Nate took another photo of them in front of the tree and then set up a timed group photo.

A last “good luck” to Bettie’s niece who was babysitting, and they were off. As they walked to Dave’s truck, she glanced left as always. The dark and empty site hurt, but reconstruction plans were moving briskly along, and someday next year they’d set the reopening date. For now, it was time to relax and enjoy the gathering of friends and family.

The way Dave genially welcomed Daddy and Mama at the restaurant and ignored Daddy’s cool greeting made Livie’s heart swell with love above her sorrow. Daddy remained unsupportive of her decisions regarding the bar and only grudgingly accepted Dave’s presence in her life.

Dave set aside his drink, tapped a spoon against the glass, and waited for the full room to settle. So many friends and family had come to share the holiday with them. “Ah, hey, everyone. First, Livie and I wanted to thank you all for giving up your own Christmas at home and braving the holiday travel craziness to be here tonight. You’ve make this Christmas special for us beyond any words I can scrounge up to say.” He paused and cleared his throat. “It’s been a hell of a year, full of good and bad and amazing.”

Applause, whistles, and assorted agreements clamored as Dave captured Olivia’s hand and raised it to his lips. The crowd hushed.

“I wanted to do this tonight, on Christmas Eve because Christmas is a time for miracles, and I wanted to celebrate that you’re my miracle, Livie.”

She met his golden eyes and fought happy tears.

“I gave kneeling a practice run, and that didn’t work out so well, so I’ll just have to do this on my own two feet.” He winked and then grew serious. “And since a year ago I didn’t think even that was possible, I’m more than happy to stand here in front of you today. You loving me is the best thing to ever happen to me.” Flushed, he cleared his throat again. “Your Uncle Jake told me there’s only now. I understood what he meant at the time and he was right. But I believe there’s more, there’s now and there’s forever. I love you, so, I’m asking you, Livie, now, to be mine, forever. I want a future with you. I want a family with you. Will you marry me?”

“Oh, yes. I love you.” Her racing heart was bursting with joy, and she surrendered to her tears.

He slipped the ring on her finger, to cheers, applause, and cameras flashing. She met him in a fierce kiss, hot and sweet.

They visited around the room getting hugs, kisses, and pats on the back. Mama scooped her into a hug with happy tears, but Daddy was stiff and cool.

“I hope you will make this a sensible engagement and avoid rushing any more than you have already.”

Mama tugged sharply on Daddy’s sleeve. “Paul. This isn’t the time or place. This is Olivia’s celebration, and more importantly, it is Christmas.” She cast an apologetic glance over her shoulder and dragged Daddy off.

Olivia groaned deeply, tension knotting in her shoulders.

Dave gathered her into a hug. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I’m sure he’ll come around.” Oh, please, let that be true.

Dave caught her hand, brushing a finger over the ring. He flashed a bashful smile. “We never discussed what ring you’d like, but I took the chance you might want something different. From before, you know?”

Olivia kissed him. She loved the simple elegant flat twist of gold cradling the pink diamond in a graceful loop. “It’s beautiful and perfect. I love it. Honestly.”

“It was my mom’s. Dad designed it and a friend of his made it. It’s a Möbius strip. Mom said the mathematics and geometry of the ring meant a lot to them about their love.”

“Thank you. I wish I could have met them.” Over the past weeks, he’d shared more about his life with them, the awful times and the good.

Dave smiled, sadly. “Honestly, they were pretty strange and majorly messed up, but, thanks to you, I understand them better.”

Music, dancing, talking, and laughter followed the delicious buffet and a rich bûche de Noël for dessert, reminding her of Mohave, despite the Christmas music and dressy clothes.

Dave never asked her to dance. When she invited him to join in, he just shook his head and sent her off to dance, watching with a smile from the sidelines. Between dances, he’d pull her close and hold her, murmuring sweet naughtiness between kisses.

The last song played, and the time came for goodnights. The party had been wonderful, and she liked to think Uncle Jake would be pleased. Tomorrow would be busy day at the house, full of friends and family and casual food and fun. Dave was determined to give his friends the best possible Christmas.

Please, please, let Daddy remember the spirit of the day.

Dave was quiet on the drive home and the classical station radio filled the silence with sentimental Christmas music. They were almost home, when unexpectedly, he pulled into the crowded parking lot of the nearby church and parked.

He turned off the truck. “They have a midnight service here. I’d like to go, if that’s okay with you.”

“Yes. I’d like that.”

He sent Nate a quick text, and they stepped out into the cool dark. The contemplative strains of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” drifted from the church, and the stars above shone clear and bright.

Dave tucked her wrap around her shoulders. “I should’ve danced with you.”

“It’s okay.”

“I wanted to. The truth is, it’s not the leg, well, that’s part of it these days.” He met her eyes sheepishly. “Truth is I’ve never danced, with anyone. I never learned how.”

“Oh.” So that’s why he hadn’t danced at Mohave. She kissed him. “I love you whether we dance or not.”

“I wish I had learned, for you. Love you. Merry Christmas.” He brushed a kiss to her mouth, and they walked hand in hand to the warm light glowing from the open church doors.