“But she’s an adult,” Aiden said.

“Exactly, but her excuse was her father hates my guts.”

“Why?” Emma asked.

“Hell if I know. Maybe he doesn’t like my team.”

Emma’s lips were closed tight as she held in a snicker. “You left without your pants again.”

“Yes,” I admitted.

Aiden nearly turned purple as we all silently belly-laughed. When we could speak, Emma said, “Bring her by for dinner. I want to meet this girl.”

“You want to grill her,” I said.

“Of course, what are friends for? But seriously, I planned to set you up, but the twins came along and I haven’t had a chance to put that into action.”

“If I bring her by, you promise to be nice?”

“I’m always nice,” she said.

“I meant about me. I know what you thought of me in high school. I don’t want you to scare her away.”

Emma looked at me for a long moment. “I want you to be happy. How’s the reno going? Aiden says everything looks nice.”

“I’m happy with it. I just hope since it happened so fast, we don’t have problems down the road. But I plan to get Dad the day after tomorrow.”

“Does that mean you’re not spending Christmas with us?” she asked.

“I hope not. No offense. It’s just I hope Dad is happy with what I’ve done and wants to stay. And with everything, I think a quiet Christmas is in order. I’m not sure if I’ll decorate or not. Mitch is supposed to come, but I’m not holding my breath.” My brother had made an excuse not to come home every year, even before we’d lost Mom.

“We’ll drop off some food.” Emma offered.

“You don’t trust my cooking?” I joked.

“You said you wanted your dad to stay,” she jested.

“God, I love you guys. But it’s all good. I’ve ordered some food from the diner.”

TWENTY

Avery

Quickly, I rushed Dad out of my room. The less chance he saw Nate running butt-naked in the snow, the better.

When we reached the living room, Dad turned and faced me. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“Sorry for what?” I wanted to be clear about what I would be forgiving.

“Treating you like a child. You are an adult who can see whoever you want, including the Bowmen boy. Though I don’t think he deserves you, I trust your judgment.”

“Thanks.”

He glanced at his clasped hands. “I’m, um—grateful you’re here. But you don’t have to stay because of me. Though I could never replace you in the shop, I also know fixing cars isn’t your dream. You should go to Billings or somewhere to live the life you want.”

“I worry about you,” I admitted. “You don’t take care of yourself.”

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, especially with your mother. You were right there, too. I miss her. But you can’t live your life for me, baby. I’ll survive.”

Tears leaked from my eyes. “Mom’s gone, but you’re not dead. Maybe this is your time for a second chance.”

“I don’t know about that,” he said with barely a curve of his mouth.

“I want you to be happy, Dad. I want us both to be happy.” I ran into his arms.

“Me too, baby. Me too.”

That night he helped me make dinner, saying it was about time he learned to make his own meals. There was change in the air and I felt lighter.

Nate texted me that night and I texted back I would explain all in the morning.

The next day, I felt like a thief leaving the house with my hair tucked under a ball cap. Dad didn’t have to work until the afternoon. So I took his truck and, after careful surveillance, I drove to Nate’s using one-lane roads to make sure I wasn’t followed. It took longer, but when I arrived, he stood in the open doorway with an arched brow after seeing me.

“Remember, I have a stalker,” I said, quickly darting in his door and handing him his plate that he’d given me with the pancakes on.

He closed the door behind me, and I took off the hat. My hair tumbled all around me. He didn’t wait and in two steps he had my face in my hands and kissed me thoroughly, taking away all my tension. I didn’t know what happened to the plate and quickly forgot all about it.

“Sorry. I had to do that,” he said with a cheeky smile. “I’m making breakfast. How do you like your eggs?”

“Scrambled. How about you?” I didn’t want to put him out.

“I’m easy. I’ll cook and you tell me all the reasons your father hates me.”

I leaned on the island, watching him work. It was sexy as hell as he broke eggs in a bowl and whisked them.

“Well?” he asked when I hadn’t started.

Air leaked out of my lungs in a rush as anxiety crept up. “Something about the past. Truth is I think he’s jealous of your family.” It wasn’t a lie.

Tags: Terri E. Laine Erotic
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