“You haven’t promised.”
“Heads on beds. That was my brief when you gave me the job last Christmas.”
“We’ve come a long way since then.” He stroked his thumb over her cheek. “You’re not going to promise, are you?”
“I’m going to try really hard, but if I hang extra bunches of mistletoe around the place, you’re not to blame me.”
He shook his head. “What you’ve achieved here is beyond impressive. I still can’t believe that last Christmas I was awake at night wondering if we’d even have a business left in a year’s time.”
She slid her arms around his neck. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. But the only relationship I want you invested in is ours. Got that?”
“Mmm.” She pressed her mouth to his. “Maybe. But what about all the mistletoe? Shame to waste it.”
“I’m sure we can put it to good use.”
TYLER FINISHED THE run, delivered the reporter back to the main house for a debrief with Kayla, took a bumps-and-trees class he’d committed to in a weak moment and ended his day rescuing a toddler who had face-planted in a snowdrift.
By the time he arrived home, he felt like a bear with a thorn in its paw.
“Dad!” Jess shot out of the den, Ash and Luna at her heels. “Is it true?”
“Is what true? That I’m never skiing with a reporter again? Yeah, that’s true. They ask me stuff I wouldn’t tell my mother, and then wonder why I want to bury them in a snowdrift.” He shoved the dogs down. “How many times do I have to tell you not to let the dogs into my den?”
“Grandma says Brenna is coming to live with us?”
“Not live, exactly.” He dropped his gloves on the table. “But how would you feel about her staying awhile? I should have checked with you first, but she was in a bit of trouble so I wanted to help out.”
“Dad, you don’t need to ask! I love Brenna. It will be so cool having her here. Especially over Christmas. Christmas is always more fun when there are lots of people around. It will be great, hanging around the Christmas tree in our pajamas.”
Thinking of Brenna in her pajamas, Tyler unzipped his jacket. He hadn’t dared think about what it would be like to have Brenna living here. “Maybe it’s not a great idea.”
“It’s a great idea. It will be like being a family.”
Which presented him with a whole new problem. “Do you mind it being the two of us normally? Do you miss your mom and half sister?”
Jess shrugged, and her sweater slid off her skinny shoulder.
Tyler felt a rush of frustration. “Is that a yes or a no? Whatever you’re thinking, say it straight-out. I can take anything, but don’t give me door slamming, hormones or one of your shrugs. You know I don’t speak teenager.”
“I’m not giving you hormones! And I don’t miss Mom.” Jess pulled Luna into her arms and buried her face in her fur. “Living with her was too stressy. And if I’m honest, Carly doesn’t feel like my sister. I mean, she was only weeks old when Mom sent me away, so it’s not like we know each other. I wasn’t even allowed to hold her in case I dropped her. I don’t hate her or anything, I just don’t feel anything much. I guess you think I’m a bad person now.”
Tyler, who had been judged by people for most of his life, heard the insecurity in her voice and frowned. “I think you’re a great person.”
Jess looked up at him. “I guess I worry about what other people think about me having a half sister I never see. Mrs. Kelly in the store asked how the baby was doing. When I said I didn’t know, she looked all disapproving.”
He was willing to bet the disapproval had been aimed at Janet, not Jess, but he hunkered down next to her and made a fuss of Luna. “I’ve had more practice ignoring advice than giving it, but I’m going to give it anyway. Don’t live your life worrying about what someone else is thinking about you. Firstly because most of the time people are thinking about themselves, not you, and secondly and most importantly, because how you choose to live your life is no one else’s business. You get on with your life and let them get on with theirs.”
“What if they’re all judgy?”
“Then that’s their problem.”
“I guess I don’t want people thinking bad things about me.”
“The people who matter are those closest to you, and the person who matters most is you. As long as what you’re doing feels right to you, and you’re not hurting anyone, I don’t see that there’s anything to worry about.” He stroked his fingers over her cheek and stood up. “Let’s go help Brenna move her stuff. Friends. Family. They’re the people who count, Jess. Keep them close.”
“Do you think there’s something wrong with me that I don’t feel anything?” She blurted the words out. “Because I’ve kind of wondered about that. Like maybe I’m cold and unfeeling or something?”
He cursed under his breath and dragged her into his arms. “There’s nothing wrong with you, honey. Carly arrived, and you were sent away. That’s going to make things complicated. No one would blame you for resenting her a little bit.”
“That’s not it.” Her voice was muffled against his chest. “I don’t resent her. If anything, I’m grateful. She’s the reason I’m here, and I’d rather be living with you than with Mom. And I guess I feel guilty because maybe I’m supposed to be sad or something.”
“Right.” Tyler’s throat felt scratchy and raw. “Well, then, that’s good because everyone is happy. You don’t have to feel guilty about that. Now let’s stop talking about deep stuff because it’s making my head ache. Tell me about your day.”
“Mine was good. Better than yours.” She sniffed and pulled away. “Tell me about the reporter. Grandma was worried you might kill him.”
“I tried. He got away.”
Jess laughed. “He was a good skier?”
“He was lucky.” Aware that she hadn’t really answered the question about her day, he made a note to tackle it later. “Let’s go pick up Brenna.”
“Both of us?”
“Sure. She looked pretty sick about having to move out of Forest Lodge, and seeing you might cheer her up.” Reasoning that a third person in the mix would be better for all concerned, Tyler scooped up his keys. “Let’s go before she trudges all the way over here with her cases. We can help her pack up the lodge if she hasn’t already done it. Zip your coat up because it’s freezing out there.”
“I’m not three years old, Dad.”
“Good. Because there is no way I’d be changing your diaper and mashing up your food.”
“I stopped wearing diapers when I was two years old.” Jess grinned. “You don’t know a thing about babies, do you? Can we take Ash and Luna? I don’t like leaving them.”
“Jess, we’re driving two minutes down the track. They’re not going to die of neglect in two minutes.”
“Yes, but it’s snowing, and anything could happen. They might worry about us, especially Luna. Huskies are a social breed. She likes to know where I am at all times. They’re family, and you said family is important.” She grabbed the dogs, and Tyler resigned himself to another drive with panting dogs.
“Come