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“I do that. But I’m not as good at dinner. I’m tired when I get home, and I’m scrambling to get a decent meal on the table. Sometimes I forget to add a veggie or a fruit.”
“That’s what you have me for, right? I gave her a healthy after-school snack, and we’ll have a salad with dinner. I say you’re doing a great job.”
“That’s just today, and because you’re here.” He pulled me into his arms, and my cheek landed on his chest. We hugged sometimes, but not like this. He didn’t pull me into his arms to thank me for helping him. I breathed in his scent and snuggled into his body. I could get used to this.
“I’m happy to help,” I said as I reluctantly pulled away. “Before I forget, Knox is bringing a tree by tonight.”
He raised a brow. “I thought we had a tree.”
“This one is for the porch. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.”
Sebastian waved a hand at me. “We always have extra trees, so that’s not an issue. But why do we need one on the porch?”
“Ember suggested it, and there’s plenty of room for one. I just thought it would be nice. It’s your first Christmas in your new cabin, and I want it to be special.”
“I don’t know what we’d do without you, Hanna. You’re always there for us and thinking about us.”
“You would have been fine. You have your mom and your brothers. And you forget that you’re a wonderful dad.”
His shoulders lowered. “It’s tough because I worry about her mother not being here. How is that affecting her?”
“I don’t know, but she seems to be doing okay, and that’s because of how great you are with her. You don’t let her feel the absence.”
He closed his eyes for a second. “I’m sure she still does. When the other kids at school talk about having a mother volunteer in the classroom or for the PTA.”
“She has her dad to be there for her, and that’s special, too. Not everyone has a dad who can take off work to go to her concerts.” Sebastian worked long hours at the firm, but he always made it to her activities.
“So, I’m not screwing everything up?”
I would have laughed, but his expression was somber, as if this was something he was genuinely worried about. “Of course not. You’re a wonderful father. One day, Ember is going to thank you for being there for her.”
His eyes were glossy, as if he was emotional over my words. “I hope so.”
“I know it’s been hard doing it yourself, but you show up for that little girl every day. And she’s surrounded by people who love her.” Sebastian was the best dad. It was one of the many reasons I was attracted to him.
Even if he wasn’t perfect, he strived to do better. And living this close to him, witnessing him being her father in these moments, cooking dinner or getting her ready for school, was dangerous for my ovaries. Because I could see a little boy with light-colored hair running around the cabin.
CHAPTER 8
HANNA
The pizza crust was thin and crispy—just how we liked it. After we’d eaten and cleaned up, Knox pulled up in his truck with a tree in the back.
We bundled up in coats, boots, and hats and went onto the porch to greet him. Ember was practically jumping; she was so excited.
Sebastian helped Knox carry the tree to the porch. When they set it down, Knox asked Ember, “I had a request for a tree. You know anything about that?”
Ember clasped her hands together. “It’s for me.”
Knox grinned. “Where do you want it?”
It was heartwarming to see these burly men go all soft for the little girls in their lives. It made me want children of my own. I wanted to be part of this big family. But I was getting ahead of myself, especially when I’d already declared I was interested in meeting someone new.
Ember ran ahead of him and stood in the empty spot on the corner of the porch. “Right here.”
Knox assessed the space. “That’s a perfect spot for it. Are you going to help decorate?”
Ember nodded. “Uh-huh.”
