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“It’s lovely,” Lori said.
“The dogs are becoming a fixture at the farm. Customers are always asking about them,” Sebastian said.
“That’s a good thing, right?” I asked him, reveling in how good it felt to be here with him like this, his fingers interlaced with mine, and the knowledge that he was claiming me in front of his family.
“Marley said they’re a symbol for the farm.”
“Are you thinking about getting a puppy?” I asked, even though I knew his answer. He worked too much and didn’t want the responsibility. Ember could play with Comet and Dash whenever she wanted, so she wasn’t missing out on the experience. Unless she wanted one for herself, and she hadn’t said anything yet.
Sebastian shook his head. “Not anytime soon.”
I shook our joined hands. “That’s not a no. I’d say that’s progress.”
“Don’t give up on me just yet. I am a work in progress. I want to be everything you want. I don’t want to disappoint you.” Sebastian had pulled me slightly away from the others.
“You couldn’t disappoint me.” Not unless he’d asked me to keep us a secret again, and it was too late for that. His brothers wouldn’t let him put up walls again. We were in this, for better or worse.
Sebastian looked at something over my head. “Are you sure about that?”
“You’re loving and kind and an amazing father. Of course, I am.”
His gaze drifted to mine, and a slow smile spread over his face. “You’re too good to me.”
“There’s no such thing.” Every once in a while, Sebastian made a comment that he was undeserving of me, and I wasn’t sure where that was coming from.
He tugged me behind one of the displays. “We only have a few seconds before Ember comes looking for us.”
“Better make the most of it, then.”
Before I could finish my sentence, his lips were on mine, soft and insistent. I parted mine, and his tongue invaded my mouth, dipping and sucking and making me want him. “I can’t wait until you’re in my bed.”
“Me either.” I could see the next few days stretched out in front of me. I’d enjoy the business of the farm with Ember by my side, and when Sebastian came home from work, we’d make dinner, help Ember with any homework, and get ready for bed.
We’d fallen into a routine with Ember at bedtime, where I read her the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. It was satisfying in a way I never thought about before. I wanted to enjoy the holiday with her and feel the joy of the season.
“I’m falling for you,” Sebastian said, his forehead resting on mine.
I swallowed down my words that I’d already fallen for him. Sebastian was slower to let himself go, and I was okay with that. I was satisfied with our progress. He’d get to the same place I was; it would just take some time.
Sebastian lifted his head and tugged me onto the road. “Let’s go before someone asks where we are.”
I grinned wide, feeling giddy inside that we’d kissed behind one of the displays like teenagers hiding from their parents. My love for him made my chest swell. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. This was where I belonged.
When we reached the end of the display, we said goodnight and made our way back to our cabin. Ember ran ahead of us, singing about Santa coming to town. It was sweet and innocent. She made me long for another child with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.
Sebastian tugged me to a stop when Ember stepped onto his porch. “I wanted to thank you for being so understanding and patient with me.”
“Of course.” He had a child. I knew this wasn’t easy for him. He was navigating a new relationship for the first time.
“Mommy!” Ember exclaimed, and my heart dropped.
I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to see who was standing on the porch.
“Brandy’s here.” Sebastian’s tone had a certainty to it and a hardness I didn’t like. Then he dropped my hand and moved closer to Ember, placing an arm over her shoulders. “What are you doing here?”
I tried not to let that bother me. He needed to protect his daughter, but a small part of me wondered why he couldn’t extend it to both of us. When would his instincts include me? I knew Ember came first, so I tried to shake those feelings off.
I hadn’t seen Brandy in several years. I tried to stay away whenever she was in town. She never liked my relationship with Sebastian. I wondered if someone had forgotten to close and lock the gate, unwittingly letting her in.
