“Can we go home now?”
Yet again, Hope had to force her facial muscles to relax.
“No, Liv. We’re staying.”
Hope watched as people gathered around the enormous tree in the town centre. It was Saturday afternoon, and the grand switching-on of the tree lights. As Hope expected, Olivia had returned to her usual sulky Christmas-hating self, and Emmett was being quiet. Bella, however, was exceptionally hyperactive.
“It’s a big twee!”
“Yeah, honey, it’s a Christmas tree.” Hope smiled. “They’re going to switch on all the pretty lights in a minute. That’ll be cool, right?”
“Yay!” Bella was practically vibrating with excitement.
A small group of kids began singing a Christmas carol. Badly, and out of tune, but you had to admire their enthusiasm.
“Later, we’ll decorate our own tree at home,” Hope told Bella. “Won’t that be fun?”
“Can we have a star?” Bella pointed at the star on top of the tree.
“We usually have an angel on our tree, Bella, but if you want a star instead, we can do that.” Hope was just happy at least one of the kids was interested. At this point, she’d put anything on the tree if it would make them smile.
Bella screwed up her little face. “Dunno. Can we have both?”
Hope laughed. “We’ll work it out.”
Auntie Joy snorted out a laugh. “I see Felix has broken out the Christmas accessories.” She nodded to where a man with fabulous hair was handing out Santa hats and reindeer antlers.
“I remember Felix,” Hope said. “Hard to forget that hair.” It had been years since she’d seen him, but she’d recognise that hair anywhere.
Felix was wearing a Santa suit, minus the hat. Of course, the vain lion would never put a hat on that hair of his. Some things never changed. A female elf stood next to him, holding a box of accessories that Felix dipped into from time to time.
“That’s Sara,” Auntie Joy told her. “Felix’s mate.” She squinted at Hope. “Didn’t you have a crush on Felix when you were a teenager? I remember you coming back from visiting your Auntie Temperance and it was all I heard about for weeks. Felix this and Felix that.”
Hope’s cheeks heated. “Everyone had a crush on Felix back then, Auntie Joy, but I grew out of it.”
“I suppose that’s true enough.” Auntie Joy sighed. “Even your sister had a thing for that boy. She was not pleased when he turned her down.” She shook her head. “I’m glad you’re over it, though. Sara is quite possessive.”
“I’m not interested in Felix,” Hope assured her. “Not even a little bit.” No, not with her thoughts centred on a certain schoolteacher.
“You should date again,” Auntie Joy announced. “Not Felix, obviously. But I’m sure there are plenty of nice young men around.”
Hope’s jaw dropped. “What…?”
“Now that you’re settling in,” her aunt continued. “I can always watch the kids for you.” She shrugged. “I’d just like to see you get out more, maybe find someone special…”
Hope busied herself fixing Bella’s scarf, which required absolutely no fixing. She hadn’t told her aunt about meeting Adam. Perhaps she should have, but Hope had no idea what was going on. She’d barely exchanged a few sentences with the man.
“Hope Frances Phillips,” her aunt said, one eyebrow raised. “I know you better than anyone, and I know when you’re hiding something.”
“Aunt—”
“You’re keeping secrets.” Auntie Joy crossed her arms. “You’ve been acting all squirrelly since Thursday night, and I have been waiting for you to spit it out.”
Hope flushed. “That’s only been a couple of days…”
Auntie Joy’s lips twitched. “Yes, well, I’m not the one called Patience.”
A snort escaped. “Please, I think we can all agree that you misnamed cousin Patience.”
“Well, it’s not as though I knew what my kids’ personalities would be when I named them!” Auntie Joy shrugged. “It was more like a request that my children would have those qualities.”
Now Hope laughed outright. “Apparently, the request was denied.”
Auntie Joy chuckled. “No arguments there.” She sobered. “Nice try, but I won’t be distracted. What’s up with you?”
Hope opened her mouth and then became aware of four sets of eyes watching her intently. Even little Bella was hanging on every word.
“Um, maybe we should have this talk later?” Hope suggested.
“Sure, because everyone else has to share every detail of their lives, but you don’t have to.” Olivia glared at her.
“I didn’t ask you to share every detail, Liv.” Hope stared her down. “I just want to know when things are bothering you, so that I can help.”
Olivia looked away, her eyes dropping back down to her phone. Seriously? What was she doing on there?
Hope sighed.
“Later,” Auntie Joy murmured, leaning down to kiss Bella’s cheek.
“Antlers or Santa hat?” Felix asked as he strode up.
“Antlers for me,” Auntie Joy said. “Felix, do you remember my niece, Hope? She used to visit my sister Temperance a lot when she was younger.”
Felix squinted at her for a moment. “Yeah, I remember. Hi!” He paused. “Your sister isn’t here, is she?” His eyes darted around.
Yeah, the guy clearly did remember the Phillips sisters.
“No, just me.” Hope hesitated. She should really tell him Faith had died, but she didn’t want to bring it up in front of the kids. Which was stupid. Obviously, the kids were already well aware and avoiding the topic wasn’t helping.
“Faith died,” Auntie Joy said quietly.
Felix blanched. “I’m so sorry.”
“You didn’t know,” Hope said, glancing down at Emmett, who was watching other kids playing. Felix followed her gaze.
“Hey, little dude,” Felix said to Emmett, crouching down. “You want some antlers.”
Emmett shook his head.
“Ah, you’d prefer a Santa hat? A wise choice.” Felix plopped a kid-sized hat on Emmett’s head and handed him a candy cane.
Emmett glanced up at Hope, and she smiled encouragingly.
“Thanks,” Emmett murmured.
“And what about you, little dudette?” Felix asked, standing up and speaking to Bella. “Hat or antlers?”
Bella tilted her head as she pondered her choice. “I’ll get antlers when I’m bigger.”
Hope grinned. “Yes, you will, sweetheart. So, why not go with the hat?
“Okay.” The little imp reached out and patted Felix’s hair.
Everyone in the town square froze, all eyes on Felix. Silence. People had stopped in the middle of whatever they were doing to stare at the coming disaster. Despite being the most easy-going person Hope had ever met, Felix was fiercely protective of his glorious mane.
Still, Hope should have known better. Felix was a good guy. Instead of kicking up a fuss, he just grinned at the little girl.
“Pwetty hair!” Bella continued to pet him.
“It is pretty, isn’t it?” Felix chuckled. “I have to say, though, I am loving yours. Is that glitter in there?”
Hope frowned and checked Bella’s hair. Sure enough, there was still some sparkle in there, despite several days of trying to wash it out.
“I’m a pwincess!” Bella announced.
Felix took her hand and kissed it. “You are, indeed, your highness. And a very pretty princess, too.” He placed a hat on Bella’s head and handed her a candy cane.
“And what about you, bigger dudette?” he asked Olivia. “Antlers or hat?”
“Neither.” Olivia scowled at him, apparently not charmed. “Both are stupid.”
“Liv!” Hope hissed.
“Nah, it’s okay.” Felix rummaged around in the box. “I’ve got just the thing.” He pulled out a black Santa hat with ‘Bah Humbug’ written on it and plopped it onto Olivia’s head. “There you go.”
Olivia stared at him, too stunned to react. Felix simply gave her a candy cane and turned to Hope.
“Antlers, please.” She shrugged. “I’m antlered and proud.” Inside her mind, her reindeer heartily approved.
Felix handed over the antlers and a candy cane. “Nice to see you again, Hope Phillips. Have a great day.” He turned to his elf assistant. “Come on, babe. No dawdling.”
The elf rolled her eyes. “I lost a stupid bet,” she murmured. “Damn kitty cat took advantage.”
“You look lovely, Sara,” Auntie Joy said. “And someone has to keep an eye on your overgrown child.”
Sara grinned. “I know, right? Christmas seems to be making him even more Felix-like than usual.”
“Oi, elf woman,” Felix called. “I need some antlers here. Stat.”
Sara narrowed her eyes. “I know where I’d like to stick those antlers. Wait until the next time he loses a bet. He’ll regret this.”
With that, she stalked off.
“I swear, those two are the oddest couple,” Auntie Joy said, shaking her head. “But somehow, it works.”
“I’m glad. Felix was always the nicest guy.” Hope looked down at Emmett, who was now sucking at his candy cane. Even Olivia was eating hers, although she was doing it furtively. Heaven forbid that anyone thought the girl was actually enjoying it.
“Hey, Emmett. Having fun?”
Hope’s heart almost stopped at the sound of that sexy voice. Her eyes flicked up to see Adam approaching. Nope. Her mind had not exaggerated his attractiveness at all. Tall, dark, handsome… practically edible. And wearing a pair of antlers. Apparently, Felix had already cornered him.
“Hi, Mr Roberts.” Emmett looked up at his teacher, more at ease than Hope had expected.
“And hello, Bella. Still sparkling, I see.” Adam’s lips tipped up.
“I like sparkles.” Bella gave him a huge smile.
“Understandably,” Adam said. “They are very pretty.”
“I could have sworn I got it all,” Hope muttered.
“Ah, but ‘tis the season of glitter,” Adam commiserated. “One glittery card and boom! You’re sparkling for weeks. My sister is extremely fond of glitter bomb cards.” He cast a curious glance at Olivia.
“Oh, this is Emmett’s older sister, Olivia,” Hope introduced them. “Liv, this is Emmett’s teacher, Mr Roberts.”
Olivia glanced up from her phone just long enough to grunt.
Hope rolled her eyes. “I think that’s as good as it gets.”
“Probably.” Adam shrugged. “That’s why I don’t teach high school.” He looked over at Auntie Joy. “Hi, Mrs Vaughn.”
“Adam.” Auntie Joy smiled at him. “Are your parents here? I’ve been meaning to call your mum for a chat, but I’ve been so busy getting Hope and the kids settled in.”
“My mum is over by the eggnog stand,” Adam said. “Frankie and Kyle were playing up, and she’s been sorting them out.”
Auntie Joy sighed. “Some things never change. Those two boys will never grow up.” She shook her head. “Thank goodness you didn’t fall for that girl’s nonsense. Two brothers fighting over her is more than enough.”
Hope adjusted Bella in her arms, trying to make it look like she wasn’t listening while desperate to know what they were talking about. What girl?
“Not my type, Mrs Vaughn.” Hope felt his eyes on her.
“And I was sorry to hear about your breakup,” Auntie Joy continued. “Your mum has been quite worried, you know. She says you don’t say much, but she knows you’re hurting.”
Hope risked a glance at the man. Truthfully, he didn’t seem that upset. Thankfully. She wasn’t sure how she’d manage to keep her composure if he’d appeared devastated.
“It was a while ago.” Adam shrugged. “Hurt at the time, but she wasn’t the one for me, so it all worked out.”
Greenish-blue eyes met hers, and Hope swallowed. Yeah, he was definitely interested in her. Her reindeer prodded her to get closer. To snuggle. She needed snuggles. And kisses. And to ride the man like a pony. Which was so not happening in the middle of the town square with half the town in it and the three kids watching their every move. Her reindeer helpfully pointed out that Auntie Joy was here and there were several nice, quiet side streets nearby. Hope wrestled the shameless beast under control. This was not the time and place. Adam would keep. Hopefully.
Hope dragged her gaze back to the tree, where the lights were now being switched on to the sound of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’. The expression on little Bella’s face made everything worthwhile. Even Emmett was staring at the tree. Olivia? Nope, still staring at her phone. She continued to wear her hat, though.
“I don’t think we need to have that chat about your secret anymore,” Auntie Joy murmured into her ear. “I’m fairly sure I know what it is.” She looked pointedly at Adam.
Yet again, Hope blushed. With any luck, everyone would assume it was from the cold. Checking that the kids weren’t paying attention, she turned to Auntie Joy and mouthed the word ‘mate’.
Auntie Joy’s jaw dropped for a moment, and then a huge grin split her face. Hope lifted a finger to her lips. This was not something she was ready to share with the world. Not until she knew what exactly she was sharing.
The lights finally on, the townspeople started to move around, forming little clusters as they chatted with friends.
“Would you like to come for a coffee with me?” Adam asked. “My sister’s café makes great hot chocolate for the kids.”
Hope smiled down at Bella. “You want some hot chocolate?”
“Yay!” Bella’s standard response to pretty much anything she was offered.
“Emmett?” Hope asked.
“Can I have marshmallows?” The kid looked up at her with huge brown eyes.
“Absolutely,” Adam assured him. “Olivia?”
“Whatever.”
Hope frowned. “Which is teenager-speak for ‘oh, yes please.’”
Adam grinned at her. “Then let’s go.”
“Lead the way,” Hope said. Partly because she wasn’t sure where they were going, but mostly because she hadn’t seen the rear view yet. And, yup. The man had a fabulous ass.
Perfect.
***
Adam settled into a chair and tried not to stare at his mate.
His mate.
Yeah, that never got old. His moose kept pushing him to get closer, but there was a limit to how close he could get while in public and surrounded by kids. Besides, he had to make an effort to get to know the kids, too. Pawing their aunt in a café was not the way to do that. Unfortunately.
Dana brought over a tray with their coffees and hot chocolate. “If you need any more marshmallows, let me know. We still have plenty.” She winked at Emmett.
“Thanks, Dana.” Adam smiled at his sister.
“No problem. Just let me get the cakes and you’re all sorted.” Dana left briefly and then came back with a couple of plates with cakes on them.
“Oh, these look great.” Hope eyed the cakes.
Dana smiled and then paused. Narrowed her eyes. “Have we met?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Hope recently moved to town,” Adam said.
“Hope?” Dana’s forehead scrunched in thought. “Where have I heard that name?”
Adam glared at her. The last thing he wanted was for Dana to announce Hope was his mate. Not before Adam had a chance to speak to Hope, and everyone knew where they stood.
“Oh.” Realisation dawned on Dana’s face. Thankfully, she kept the revelation to herself. “Never mind.”
“She’s the competition.” Tara Evans piped up from behind the counter. “Works at that new bakery on Smith Street.”
Dana frowned. “How do you know that?”
Tara shrugged. “I checked them out yesterday.”
“Umm, sorry?” Hope said, glancing between them.
“I’m sure this town has enough sweet tooths to keep both bakeries in business,” Adam pointed out.
Dana snorted. “Ethan and his cop buddies buy enough doughnuts to keep us afloat. Other customers are just a bonus.” She rolled her eyes. “Such a cliché, I know.”
Adam watched as Bella stuffed half a cake into her mouth. He should probably say something, but instead, he merely winked at the little girl. Bella grinned around her mouthful of cake.
One kid won over. Excellent.
“Emmett?” Adam asked. “Which cake do you want?”
Slowly, the kid reached out and selected a small cake decorated like a Christmas tree. He took a tiny bite and smiled shyly at Adam.
Possibly a second kid won over.
He glanced at Olivia.
“Not hungry.”
Okay, looked like it was two out of three kids. Not bad. He could work with that.
“Your loss.” Adam shrugged and snagged a cake shaped like a Christmas gift.
As he munched, he sneaked glances around the table. While the two youngest kids, Bella and Emmett, were dark skinned with big brown eyes and black, curly hair, Olivia was the opposite. Pale skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. Just like her aunt. Except with the attitude of a demon who had recently escaped from hell and was out for revenge.
“So, kids, what’s your plan for the rest of today?” Adam asked.
“Twee,” Bella announced, crumbs spilling to the table.
“She means ‘tree’,” Emmett explained. “She can’t say ‘R’ properly.”
“Can too.” Bella scowled at him.
Emmett grinned. “Aunt Hope says we can decorate our tree tonight, and she wants us to make lists for Santa.” His enthusiasm dropped off toward the end, and he frowned down at his cake.
“You don’t want to make a list?” Adam asked. Hell, most of the kids in class had started discussing what they wanted back in November.
Emmett shrugged.
Adam looked up in time to see Hope’s worried expression.
“Santa knows where you are now,” Hope said, absently wiping crumbs and icing from Bella’s hands with a napkin. “But you have to tell him what you want.”
Emmett said nothing.
“And I think maybe Bella could use some help with her list,” Hope said pointedly.
“Okay.”
“I want snow,” Bella said.
Hope exchanged a glance with her aunt. “Umm…”
“And a balloon.”
Okay, the balloon might be easier. Adam smiled. Still, he felt the ridiculous urge to ensure it snowed for Christmas, just to keep that little kid happy.
“Well, you keep thinking, sweetheart, and we’ll make that list.” Hope balled up the dirty napkin and tossed it on the table.
“What about you?” Adam asked Hope. “What’s on your list?”
Her cheeks flushed. Now Adam really wanted to know what was on her list. If it was anything like his, it wasn’t something that could be shared in public. Top of his list was Hope wearing a big red bow and nothing else.
“Oh.” Hope cleared her throat. “You know, I haven’t had much time to think about it.” Another charming blush.
“Maybe you should start,” he suggested.
“Yes, Hope does need to start thinking about herself,” Mrs Vaughn chipped in. “My poor niece has been so busy worrying about everyone else. I was just saying earlier that she should take a little time for herself.” She sipped at her coffee.
“Auntie—”
Whatever Hope was about to say was lost in the sudden commotion of little Bella getting down from her chair and shifting into reindeer form.
The little calf somehow struggled free from her clothes and started to prance around the café. Against all odds, the Santa hat was still perched on her little head, and Adam couldn’t contain his chuckle. The kid was freaking adorable.
“Bella!” Hope hissed, darting about, frantically trying to catch her niece. “Not in public!”
Adam cast a quick look around. There were a fair number of people in the café, but he recognised them all as shifters. Thankfully. Little kids did sometimes have control issues with shifts, but Bella’s had appeared to be quite deliberate. Like Adam, everyone seemed to find the reindeer calf delightful, and all eyes were on Bella.
“Get back here,” Hope called, still chasing the little calf.
When Bella dashed by, Adam calmly scooped her up and snuggled her against his chest.
“Hey there, little reindeer,” he crooned. “You are very cute, Bella, but you know not to shift when people are around.”
The little reindeer butted his chin.
“Bella, turn back this instant,” Hope tried to take her from Adam, but Bella resisted, flailing those spindly legs.
“It’s fine,” Adam said. “Maybe better if we just take her home like this.” He shrugged. “It’s December. Nobody is going to freak out about a reindeer.” Especially not in Bearbank.
Hope stared at him. Her face was pale and tears shone in her eyes.
“You’re good,” he assured her. “Only shifters in here right now. Nobody else saw.”
The tension visibly drained out of her. She nodded. “Okay, but we need to get her home.” She bent down to scoop up Bella’s discarded clothes.
“Is this the first time she’s done this?” he asked.
“No.” Hope blew out a shaky breath. “Before we got here, I had to keep her home a lot. They were living in the city among humans.”
“Mum liked the city,” Olivia said, looking up from her phone. “We didn’t shift much.”
“Oh, Liv.” Hope looked so sad that Adam wanted to wrap his arms around her. Except his arms were currently full with a reindeer calf, who’d apparently gone to sleep. Could this kid get any cuter?
The teenager shrugged. “Bella never really learned control. Mum just kept her home all the time.”
“Look, I’ve had to work with kids shifting,” Adam told them. “Some kids learn control easier than others. Let me help.”
“You think you can get her to stop shifting in public?” Hope asked him.
“Yeah, absolutely. Although it could take a while.” He thought. “Okay, what we usually do is introduce set times and places for shifting. Our animals need out occasionally. Controlling them is easier if we’re not always shutting them away.”
“We didn’t have a choice.” Olivia glared at him.
“I know.” He shrugged. “But you’re not in the city now.”
Bella’s little reindeer legs twitched as she slept. Apparently, she could get cuter.
“Okay, we should get her home before she wakes up and changes back,” Adam suggested. He somehow managed to stand up without jostling the little calf.
“What about the cakes?” Emmett looked up at Hope.
“Look, why don’t I stay here with Liv and Emmett?” Mrs Vaughn said. “And you two can take the little one home. Just until we’ve finished our cakes and hot chocolate.”
Adam looked at Hope and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, okay. If you’re sure, Auntie Joy?” Hope didn’t seem certain.
Mrs Vaughn waved that away. “We’ll be fine. We’re almost done, so we’ll be right behind you.”
“Thanks.” Hope turned to Adam. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” He turned to Hope’s aunt. “Nice to see you, Mrs Vaughn. I’ll tell my mum you were asking for her.”
With that, he walked out of the café, still cradling Bella who remained asleep and in reindeer form. Yup, still freakishly cute. At this rate, he’d need a spoon for the gooey mess where his heart used to be.
“You’re sure nobody saw?” Hope asked, chewing at her lip.
“Nobody who isn’t a shifter,” he assured her, following her to her car.
Hope opened the passenger-side door, and Adam folded himself into the seat with Bella. He was pretty sure they didn’t make car seats for calves, so he’d have to hold her.
Once Hope got behind the wheel, they were moving away.
“So,” he said, glancing over to the driver’s side. “Are we going to talk about us being mates?”
“Oh.” Hope flushed and chewed her lip. “Things are a bit… well… It’s not that I’m not interested—I am. Really. It’s just… life is chaotic… and I have no idea… I mean—”
“Relax.” He laughed. “I’m not suggesting we pull over and get on with it right now.” Although, that idea was tempting, and his inner moose really liked that plan. “I’m merely initiating a conversation.”
“Right. Okay.” She blew out a breath. “That I can do. Probably.”
“Are you already mated or something?” Adam frowned. That would be a problem, but at the moment, he just needed to know what he was dealing with.
“What?” She gaped at him and then turned her attention back to the road. “Oh, no. Nothing like that. I’m single.”
Adam felt himself relax. “Good. Me too. Anything else, we can work out.”
Hope sighed. “I’m interested, I swear.” She cast a shy glance in his direction. “I mean, who wouldn’t be?”
Adam resisted the urge to grin. Barely.
“I just moved here and started a new job,” Hope said. “I’m living with my aunt and I’m now the guardian of my sister’s three kids.” She sighed. “And you’ve met the little monsters.”
“This is almost certainly the cutest little monster I have ever seen.” Adam glanced down at Bella. “And they all seem like good kids—”
Hope snorted.
“Okay, two of them seem like good kids,” he amended. “And I’m sure Olivia will come around.”
Another snort.
“Liv is a massive pain in the ass,” Hope said. “But she’s now my massive pain in the ass.”
“Can’t be easy,” he said. “Especially when they must still be grieving.”
Hope pulled up outside her house. “Yeah. I have to keep reminding myself of that when they’re driving me nuts. Bella is okay. She’s just so young. She cried for a while, and then simply… sprang back.”
“Kids are resilient.”
“Emmett is so quiet.” She sighed. “It’s hard to get him to talk sometimes, and he seems so sad.” She scrunched up her face. “And then there’s Liv.”
“Ah.”
She gave him a wry smile. “I am trying to be patient, but she doesn’t make it easy. The thing is… my sister…” She grimaced. “I loved my sister, I really did. But she wasn’t the greatest parent to the kids. Poor Liv was more of a mother to Emmett and Bella than their actual mother. Which is far too much to put on her when she’s still a kid herself.”
“And she’ll get to be one now.” Adam met her gaze. “I am absolutely fine with taking on your monsters if you’ll let me.”
Her mouth fell open.
“Seriously, Hope. I want to get to know you and them.” He smiled. “Even Liv. I’ll win her over. Eventually.” Bribery could work, right?
She chewed on her lip. “We can’t tell the kids yet. I think it’s better if we get to know each other first and then tell them.”
“I would like to be around them.”
She nodded. “Yes, but for now, you’re a friend. We sort ourselves out first and then talk to them.”
“Fair enough.”
With a little help, Adam got out of the car and walked to the house. Just as he reached the door, Bella woke up and shifted back, leaving him juggling an armful of naked three-year-old girl.
“Bella!” Hope shot him an apologetic look. “Sorry.”
She fumbled with her keys for a minute, and then they were stepping inside. Adam put the little girl down and she strolled into the living room and climbed onto the couch.
“I’m raising a nudist.” Hope’s blue eyes met his. “So, how do you want to do this?”
“Dinner?” he suggested. “Tomorrow. Just you and me?”
“Sure.” She smiled at him. “As long as Auntie Joy can babysit.” Her smile faded away. “Normally, I could ask Liv, but I refuse to do that to her. It’s not her job to watch her siblings, and she’s had to do it so often.”
“I get that. If your aunt can’t babysit, then we’ll reschedule.” He held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”
She handed it over, and he added his name and number to her contacts.
“There.” He gave the phone back. “Now you have my number. Call or text to let me know if you can do dinner.” He smiled. “Or for any other reason.”
“I will.” She glanced at Bella and then back at him. “Thanks, Adam.”
Unable to resist, he leaned forward and gently brushed his lips over hers, just the barest touch.
“You’re welcome, Hope.” He took a step back.
“Wait.” She frowned. “We brought my car. How are you getting home?”
He shrugged. “I’ll walk. It’s not that far when you’re not carrying a baby reindeer and hoping no one notices.”
“I’m hungry!” Bella yelled from the couch.
Hope sighed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, you will.” He winked at her before turning and walking down the path.
Maybe this Christmas wouldn’t be a total bust after all.