“Perfect!” Teddy clapped his hands in approval.
Daniel stood frozen, pillows clutched to his chest, watching as this woman he’d known for less than twenty-four hours moved through his living room like she belonged here, among the chaos of toys and blankets.
Amid the loving mess that was his family’s life. Not in some sterile, perfect house where blanket forts were forbidden.
His bear rumbled with satisfaction.It’s like she was made for us.
She was,Daniel replied.
Chapter Six – Holly
The blanket fort stood like a magical kingdom in the center of the living room, a symbol of childhood imagination and the morning’s laughter. Holly sat cross-legged inside it, surrounded by cushions and the warm glow of contentment that had settled over her since breakfast.
“What should we do now?” Teddy asked, his small face peering up at her with such trust it made her heart squeeze. The look was so open, so unquestioning… It was the kind of look she’d always imagined her own child might give her one day.
But now, after her wedding disaster, one day seemed…more like never.
Her throat constricted at the thought while outside, snow continued to fall, thick flakes drifting past the windows in hypnotic patterns, sealing them all inside this bubble of warmth.
The world beyond the glass seemed distant, unreal—as if this house and these people were all that existed. Her car, the church, the ruined flowers, and whispers—they all felt like scenes from someone else’s life.
“How about a board game?” Holly suggested, surprising herself with how comfortable she felt making the recommendation. Her voice didn’t even wobble; the words came out easily, as if her body had decided to act like this was normal and hoped her mind would catch up later.
As if she were trying to trick herself into forgetting that yesterday she’d been a bride. Or nearly a bride… But what was she today? That was the question.
“Yes!” Maisie clapped her hands. “Can we play Candy Land? It’s my favorite.”
“Mine too,” Holly said automatically, then realized it was true. When she was a child, she had played the game at a friend’s house. And those childhood memories of colorful squares and gingerbread men were some of her happiest.
“I’ll get it!” Teddy scrambled out of the fort with the boundless energy only children possessed.
Maisie shifted closer to Holly, her small shoulder pressing against Holly’s arm. “You can be the blue piece,” she offered magnanimously. “That’s usually Dad’s, but I think he’ll let you have it.”
The casual way Maisie included her in their family dynamic made Holly’s throat tighten. “That’s very kind of you, Maisie.”
“Dad says sharing makes your heart bigger,” Maisie explained, her face solemn.
Holly smiled at the wonderful sentiment in those words. “Your dad is a very smart man.”And the kind of man, a treacherous little voice whispered,you should have chosen in the first place.
“Found it!” Teddy’s voice called from somewhere in the house, followed by the sound of footsteps thundering back toward them.
He reappeared at the entrance of the fort, board game clutched in his arms, his face flushed with excitement. Behind him stood Daniel, a steaming mug in each hand, his broad shoulders filling the doorway.
Holly’s heart did a strange little flip at the sight of him. The soft flannel shirt, the faded jeans, the way he had to duck slightly to peer into the fort—he looked more real than any man in a tailored suit ever had.
“I thought you might want some tea. I let it cool a little,” he said, his eyes finding hers with an intensity that made her skin prickle. “And I’ve called my friend James. He’s arranged for your car to be towed, but he can’t say when since the snowstorm was worse than forecast and plenty of people got caught out.”
“That long?” Holly asked, glancing toward the window.
“You can stay with us,” Maisie said, placing her hand on Holly’s arm to comfort her. “Can’t she, Dad?”
“As long as you want,” Daniel replied, offering her the tea.
“Thank you. That’s so kind. But I don’t want to impose,” Holly said, reaching up to accept the mug, their fingers brushing in the exchange. That brief contact sent a jolt of awareness up her arm, and she quickly looked down at her tea to hide whatever might be showing on her face.
“You’re not.” Daniel ducked into the fort, his large frame somehow managing to fold itself into the small space without disturbing the precarious blanket ceiling. His presence immediately filled the area, warm and solid, making the fort feel both smaller and safer at once.
“Thank you,” Holly repeated, with a sense of immense relief. Not just because she didn’t like the idea of venturing out into the snow to find somewhere else to stay, but because she didn’t want to leave this happy house.
