AllFreeNovel
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“Joy says I’m a natural.”
Clark pulled out his wallet and gave Joy a five. When it was just the three of them again, Merry in the middle, they skated along. They passed below a speaker playing “Winter Wonderland” and Jace sang along, loudly and off key.
“We should build a snowman after this!”
“I think it’s going to be too dark by the time we leave, buddy. But we can do it another day.”
“Will you help us, Merry?”
“I’d love to. I haven’t built a snowman in years, so you may have to help remind me how it goes.”
“You should watch tutorials on YouTube so you know what you’re doing.”
Merry’s laughter was cut short when Jace lost his balance and fell, nearly taking her down with him.
Clark came around in front of her to help his son up. “You okay, buddy?”
“Yeah,” Jace grumbled.
“Let’s skate it off.”
They made it another few laps before Jace said his knee really hurt and they skated to the side and sat down. Clark rolled up Jace’s jeans and tsked. “Oh man. This leg may need to come off.”
“Dad,” Jace groaned, but his lips kicked up in the corners.
“You wanna go get food and then take Merry to our next surprise?”
“Yes!”
Clark returned the skates, leaving Jace and Merry sitting on the bench together.
“Are you going to marry my dad?” Jace asked abruptly.
Merry started, staring down into his earnest eyes. “I don’t know. We only started dating a few weeks ago and while I care about him, he hasn’t asked.”
“I think he will. He is definitely happy with you. I’ve never seen him hold anyone’s hand before. And he talks about you a lot to Uncle Sam.”
“You probably shouldn’t eavesdrop on conversations between your dad and your uncle.”
“I know, my dad tells me to stay out of adult conversations, but he told my uncle he didn’t want to lose you and my uncle told him to get off his bad word for butt and tell you how he feels.” Jace lowered his voice as Clark approached. “I just wanted to tell you, if you want to marry him, I’m okay with it.”
Merry’s heart hammered in her chest and she took her shoes from Clark wordlessly.
“Who’s ready for fries and chicken strips?” Clark asked.
“You know it, boy!” Jace said, dragging out the oy.
“God, it’s started. Pretty soon you’re going to start calling me dude and bruh like that kid Westin I work with.”
The two went back and forth on the way out of the skating rink gate, while Merry pushed down the spark of giddiness bubbling in her stomach. Jace probably didn’t even realize how touching it was that he’d given her permission to be with Clark and join their family. She blinked back happy tears as he raced ahead and opened her door, but Clark shooed him into the car, studying her face with concern.
“Hey, everything all right?”
“Yes, it’s perfect. This date is perfect.” She kissed his lips softly. “Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome, but it’s not over yet. We’re going to sit down for some food and then head over to Evergreen Lane to walk through the neighborhood.”
“And after that?”
