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“You think she’s ready for the snowmobile?” Knox nodded in Ember’s direction.
Sebastian’s forehead wrinkled. “I don’t feel comfortable with that yet.”
Knox tipped his head to the side. “We did it at her age.”
“It’s different,” Sebastian said, and my heart twisted. He wanted to protect his little girl, and it made him even more attractive.
“How about you let Ember sleep over with Addy tomorrow, and you can take Hanna out for a night ride?” Knox suggested.
“That sounds fun,” I said, never having been on a snowmobile. My parents lived in town. When it snowed, we all convened at the elementary school’s hill and sledded all day. It was fun, but I could see how the Monroe boys had more to do on the farm. Their hill was larger, and they had snowmobiles and an unending supply of Christmas trees to decorate.
“It’s a plan, then,” Sebastian said.
“Yay!” Ember said as she drank the rest of her hot cocoa.
“It’s time for this one to go to bed. It’s getting late.”
Ember stole another marshmallow from the bag I left out. “I need to stay up if it’s going to snow.”
“You’ll be up at the same time, no matter what time I put you to bed, and I don’t want you to be too tired to enjoy playing in the snow tomorrow.”
I stood and placed Ember’s mug in the sink.
“Can you reheat mine? I’ll drink it outside,” Sebastian said to me, and my heart skipped a beat. “That sounds wonderful. I’ll heat up some more milk for me, too.”
Knox stood and placed his mug in the sink. “I’ll leave you guys to it. I want to say goodnight to Addy before she’s asleep.”
“Thanks for bringing the tree,” I said to him.
“Anytime. I love making this one smile.” Knox grinned and squatted so Ember could hug him. She threw her arms around him and squeezed him tight. “Love you, Uncle Knox.”
I met Sebastian’s gaze over their heads, and my heart flip-flopped again. Their family never failed to slay me.
Knox stood and headed out the door with a wave. “Have a good night.”
“That was nice of him to bring the tree,” I said.
“Our porch is more festive now. Even though we’re the only ones that see it.”
“Sometimes I think that makes it even better. Only you know how warm and inviting your house is.” The cabin was private and secluded, yet close to Lori’s home and his brothers. It was the perfect combination.
“Maybe you’re right,” Sebastian said, then he lifted Ember over his shoulders. “Time for bed.”
Ember squealed and kicked her legs as he took her up the stairs. I smiled after them before moving to make more hot chocolate. I wasn’t in the mood for it when I was making it earlier, but if he wanted to sit on the porch and drink some, then I would, too.
I tried not to think about how romantic it would be to sit on the porch with Sebastian, drinking hot chocolate and admiring the tree he’d just decorated with his daughter.
I grabbed some throws and carried everything out to the front porch.
A few minutes later, he joined me. “You were supposed to wait for me.”
“I just came out.” I held the blankets to my chest.
They’d used all red and green decorations, and the effect was gorgeous. “It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Sebastian moved his chair closer to mine.
It felt like a friendly move, yet my heart was galloping in my chest.
