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“That’s right,” I said to the girls when they groaned.
“We don’t want to leave,” Addy whined.
Knox made a show of pulling out his watch and checking the time. “It’s way past your bedtime.”
Addy’s lip protruded. “So? We were having fun.”
“You better be good. Santa’s watching,” Knox said.
Addy’s eyes narrowed on him, and then she sighed. “Fine.”
I held my hand out to Ember. “You want to ride with us?” I asked Hanna.
“I might as well. I’m tired, too.”
I smiled, pleased she was coming home with me.
We said our goodbyes to my brothers and my mom, then we headed outside to my truck, the same one all my brothers drove, with the Monroe Christmas Tree Farm logo on the door. I opened the rear passenger door for Ember and helped her inside. By the time she was settled, Hanna was buckled in.
I wished I could be more of a gentleman, but taking care of Ember made it difficult.
On the short drive home, Ember chatted about the party. When we pulled up to the cabin, the lights on the porch twinkled, making it feel inviting.
When I opened the door for Ember, she said, “Carry me.”
I couldn’t resist her when she was warm and sleepy. She would only be this young for so long. I was already worried about the day when she’d ask for a phone and want to date.
I lifted her, and her arms wrapped around my neck.
Hanna closed the door behind us, a soft smile on her face.
Did she think me holding my daughter was endearing? I hoped so because she was going to see a lot of that kind of thing over the next few weeks. I wanted to impress her in other ways, but if I knew her weaknesses, I could capitalize on those, as well.
She led the way up the porch and opened the front door with her key. I admired the way her dress clung to her curves as she pushed the door open, and we stepped inside.
I patted Ember’s back. “I’m going to put this one to bed.”
“No,” Ember said, even as her face was buried in my neck. She’d be out within a few minutes of me putting her down.
“Can you wait for me? Maybe we can watch a movie.” I wasn’t ready for the night to be over.
Hanna smiled as she made her way up the steps. “Sure, I’ll just change into something more comfortable.”
I wanted to be the one who unzipped her dress, but we weren’t there yet. My plan to win her over would be an uphill battle, with her plan to date other guys.
I wasn’t sure if Knox’s comments about her liking me were accurate. He could be wrong, misinterpreting friendship for a crush. I had never been sure about Hanna’s feelings for me.
There were moments I thought she might feel the same way I did, but then it could have been just friendship. How would I know for sure?
I helped Ember get on her pajamas and brush her teeth, then I tucked her into bed. Her eyes closed immediately, and I kissed her forehead. Love for her filled my chest.
It was hard being a single dad, but I had my family, and now Hanna, to help. For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was doing it alone. Moving to the cabin was the best decision I could have made. It was perfect timing since Hanna’s roommate had moved out, and she couldn’t afford to stay there. I shrugged out of my jacket and tugged off the tie, wondering if I should take the time to change like Hanna had or if it was better to stay in my formal attire.
I wanted to be comfortable, so I unbuttoned my shirt and threw on sweatpants and a T-shirt. It wasn’t going to win me any great awards in the looks department, but I needed to feel like myself for this evening to go as planned.
Downstairs, Hanna had turned on the gas fireplace and was standing by the bare tree. “You didn’t decorate?”
She’d changed into soft-looking red pajamas with white trim. Her hair looked freshly brushed, and her face was devoid of the makeup she wore at the party. I wondered if she was wearing a bra underneath.
