Rance gazed at him. “I didn’t realize how much you look out for her.”
“Always.”
“It’s nice, Andy.”
“It’s nice that she lets me. There was a time she couldn’t imagine leaning on anyone.”
“Maybe because you’re the first solid guy she’s come across. Anyway, if that’s all you’re here for, to find out about the dedication, you might as well stay on the porch while I go fetch the box.”
“There was one other thing.”
“Oh?”
“I can’t help thinking you had an ulterior motive for giving Lani the book.”
He grimaced. “I did, but things didn’t work out the way I’d hoped. I can’t see her leaving that job. You should see her face when she talks about it.”
“You should see her face when she looks at you. And vice-versa.”
“That obvious, huh?”
‘Yes.”
“To everyone?”
“Yes.”
“I wish I could say it’ll all turn out, but I can’t see a path leading to a happy-ever-after.”
“Gonna keep looking for one?”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s my boy. Now go get those manuscripts while I use this towel on Sam.”
“Yes, sir.” He headed down the snow-covered steps.That’s my boy.Andy might not know how much those simple words meant. He was Andy’s boy and so were his brothers. Angie was his girl as much as Jess, the daughter he’d sired.
Andy hadn’t just married their mom. He’d married all of them, stepping into the role of father with grace, compassion and a wicked sense of humor. Who needed effing Irving Quick? He had Andy Hartmann.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Lani wasn’t particularly proud of her singing ability, but she let Desiree talk her into joining the carolers since Sara and Kieran were going.
“You won’t have a thing to worry about,” Desiree said. “We have strong singers like Kieran, Faye, Gil and Tyra to keep us in tune. Rance has a decent voice. I’ll rope him in when he and Andy get back.”
“Am I right you’ve never done this before?”
“We haven’t. I got the idea when I realized we’d be renting a flatbed to transport the sleigh into town on Christmas Eve and it would make a perfect hay wagon for caroling. Buck’s offered to use his truck to pull us around to all the houses.”
“I guess you’ll skip Gil and Faye’s though, since nobody will be in their cabin.” Lani polished off the last of her hot chocolate and returned the mug to the tray.
“Actually, someone will be there. Faye and Ella’s folks are staying there from tomorrow night through Christmas, so we’ll definitely stop for a song or two.”
“They’ll be here for Christmas dinner, then. How many does that make? I’ve lost track.”
“It keeps growing. We started with under thirty, not counting kids. We’re over that, now, and all three dads want to come.”
“Four dads.”
