“And I should think about dinner,” Cat said, rising from the armchair next to the fire where she’d been resting the past few minutes.
“What if we all go out for dinner?”Rhys suggested.
The pub was already humming with voices and music when they stepped inside, warmed by a coal fire glowing in the hearth and the low murmur of villagers tucked into corner tables.After the chill outside, the sudden rush of heat felt deliciously welcoming.
Rhys guided the girls forward, nodding as the hostess smiled.
“Evening, Dr.Harmon,” she said cheerfully.“You’re lucky—I’ve a booth by the fire for you.”
As they followed her through the narrow aisle, Jillian tugged on her father’s sleeve.
“How did she know who you were?”she whispered, curious.
Rhys leaned down, lowering his voice conspiratorially.“I went to school with her older brother,” he told her.“Back in the Dark Ages.Must’ve been at least a hundred years ago.”
Both girls let out quiet giggles, and Cat smiled, relieved that Jillian was still in a good mood.The hostess led them to a wooden booth near the fire, the benches polished by decades of use.Cat slid in beside Olivia while Rhys took the opposite side with Jillian next to him, all of them pleasantly worn out—cheeks pink from cold, hair still carrying the faint scent of fir.
Menus appeared, though the girls already knew what they wanted.“Chicken tenders,” Olivia said, pushing her menu away.“And chips.And peas.”
“Same,” Jillian murmured, chin resting on her folded arms.
“Your tree is so lovely,” Cat said, after glancing over the menu.“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier one.”
Livy nodded.“It’s because all the ornaments are so old.They’re almost all glass.”
“They definitely make the tree shine,” Jillian added.
The waitress appeared and the girls ordered, Cat requested the winter salad with grilled chicken, and Rhys ordered the salmon.
Lemonades arrived for the girls, a pint for Rhys, and a glass of white wine for Cat.
“Cheers,” Rhys said, lifting his glass.
Everyone touched glasses and contently sipped their drinks.Jillian shifted closer to Rhys, exhausted but peaceful, her earlier sharp edges dulled by the long, full day.
“You two have earned your dinner,” he said, brushing a strand of golden hair off her forehead.“Walking to town, tree shopping, decorating… it’s practically a full-time job.”
Olivia giggled, Jillian laughed, and even Cat smiled, enjoying the moment.When the food came, the girls perked up just enough to eat.Golden chicken tenders, crisp chips, bright peas in neat little piles.Cat’s salad arrived piled high with roasted squash, toasted nuts, winter greens, and warm slices of grilled chicken.
“You’re the only one being healthy,” Rhys said.
“I’m starving,” she replied, “just… in a leafy way.”
His laugh always did something to her, making her insides go warm and tingly, and tonight was no exception.Cat knew she shouldn’t respond to it—she didn’twantto respond to it—but he was handsome and fascinating, and so very alone in his parenting right now.If she could help him, if she could lend support, she wanted to.
They ate mostly in silence, but it was the comfortable kind of silence, one that followed a full day, and a happy day.Jillian leaned against Rhys as she finished eating.Olivia nudged Cat, wanting her to try a bite of her peas, pleased when Cat praised them.
Rhys watched his daughters with a faint, tired smile.Every so often, his gaze drifted to Cat and every time her heart did a painful little flutter.Clearly, she was overtired herself.She shouldn’t be all fizzy and flustered.It wasn’t a good look for a nanny.
Even a pretend nanny.
“Should we go?”Rhys asked after he paid.
He was met with a chorus of yeses.Cat helped Olivia with her coat and then they were outside, Jillian holding her dad’s hand, and Olivia taking Cat’s.
A lump filled Cat’s throat, and she gave Olivia’s mittened hand a light squeeze.She hadn’t been part of a family in forever, and she knew this wasn’t her family, but it felt good to be with them tonight.It felt good to be part of something bigger than herself for once.
Chapter Eight
