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I sent a quick text to everyone and shut off my phone. I didn’t want to see the messages of Congratulations! And Are you sure? But Ember loves Hanna. I knew without looking what everyone would say. Knox already gave me a preview this morning. I just hoped everyone kept their opinions to themselves.
Worried about Hanna, I moved close to her. “It’s just until I can get my head on straight and figure a few things out.”
The wrinkles in her forehead smoothed out, and her shoulders relaxed. “I understand.”
But I wasn’t so sure she did. Hanna was a nice person, and it took a lot for her to confront someone. I just hoped that I figured things out before she gave me an ultimatum or, worse, decided I wasn’t worth the effort.
“I want to have a fun family day,” I said, and she smiled.
“I want that, too.”
Love for her filled my chest. It was like the feelings we had for each other over the years intensified and expanded in less than twenty-four hours. I couldn’t lose Hanna when I’d only just gotten her.
I needed to temper my cautious nature and ensure I was meeting her expectations. Hanna was an amazing woman, and she’d waited for me, but I couldn’t expect her to do that forever.
I glanced into the living room where Ember was reading a book, her back to us, and lowered my lips to Hanna’s, needing that reassurance from her that we were okay. “I’m sorry about this morning.”
Hanna pulled away from me with a smile. “You’re a great father. You have nothing to be sorry about.”
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, but I took her words at face value. Hanna understood me. She’d be patient. I just couldn’t let too much time go by without me coming to a decision on Ember. Hanna deserved everything, and if I couldn’t give it to her, I had to let her go. No matter how much it would hurt.
“You want to go ice skating, Ember?” I called into the living room.
Her head popped up immediately, the book falling from her hands. “Ice skating? Where?”
I grinned. “Here on the farm. We had ice brought in.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. We went ice skating last night,” I said, going into the living room and sitting on the couch next to her.
Her gaze went to Hanna, who stood near the fireplace. “You went ice skating without me?”
“There was an adult event last night, remember?”
“That’s right. Did you go on a date?”
It would have been the perfect opportunity to tell her the truth, but the words got stuck in my throat.
“I fainted last night, and your father was kind enough to feed me, and when I was feeling better, he showed me the ice-skating rink.”
“We have an indoor rink?” she asked, completely forgetting about the date aspect of the conversation.
I chuckled. “It’s outdoors. It’s small, so let’s get there before the rest of the family shows up. Maybe we’ll have a few minutes to ourselves.”
Ember cheered and ran to the bench by the door to grab her boots and jacket.
“I think she forgot she was tired,” Hanna said to me.
“She’ll crash tonight. I just hope she doesn’t have a tantrum or two before then. If so, I’ll have to rethink sleepovers.”
“She had fun, and she doesn’t have school until tomorrow,” Hanna said softly.
“You might not be a mother, but you’ve been a support to me and Ember over the years.” She knew kids because she was an elementary school teacher, and she was good with them.
“Come on. I want to get there before everyone else,” Ember said, already pulling open the door to leave.
“Wait for us,” I said, as I hurried to get ready, grabbing gloves, my hat, and boots. I had the forethought to grab snacks, too. A tired and hungry kid wouldn’t be any fun in the cold.
