The drive back was filled with the kids’ breathless recounting of their “epic sledding crashes,” each story more elaborate than the last. Holly laughed along, asking questions at just the right moments, gasping appropriately at tales of near-disaster.
Daniel stole glances at her whenever he could, taking in her profile against the darkening window, the way she turned in her seat to better hear Teddy’s latest exaggeration. She smiled—the kind of smile people only gave when they felt safe, when they were exactly where they wanted to be.
His bear rumbled contentedly.She’ll stay.
But Daniel didn’t let himself hope too hard. Not yet. Not until she said something about tomorrow. Or the day after.
They pulled into the driveway just as the last light faded from the sky. Inside, the house welcomed them with its familiar warmth, the entryway soon cluttered with damp boots and snow-crusted coats.
“Hot chocolate?” Daniel suggested, helping Teddy with his zipper.
“Yes!” both children chorused.
Holly hung her new red coat on the hook beside Daniel’s, the sight of it there making his throat tighten. She kneeled to help Maisie take off her boots, her fingers deft as if she had done this a thousand times or more.
“There you go,” she said, setting the boots neatly beside the others. “All done.”
Maisie threw her arms around Holly’s neck in a quick, fierce hug before racing after Teddy toward the living room. Holly remained kneeling for a moment, her expression filled with surprise and something deeper that made Daniel’s chest ache.
He offered his hand, helping her to her feet, reveling in that intimate sense of connection he felt whenever they touched. “Kids get pretty affectionate when you help them with their boots,” he said lightly. “It’s a known fact.”
Holly laughed, but there was a slight tremble in her voice. “Good to know.”
They stood for a moment in the narrow entryway, close enough that Daniel could smell the crisp winter air still clinging to her hair, mingled with the faint scent of cinnamon from the latte they’d shared earlier. His bear urged him to close the distance, to pull her against his chest and breathe her in properly.
Instead, he stepped back, giving her space. “I’ll get started on that hot chocolate.”
Holly hesitated in the doorway to the kitchen. “If you don’t mind,” she said, biting her lower lip, “I’d like to cook tonight. As a thank you.”
Daniel froze. No one had cooked him dinner in this house—not since he’d adopted the kids, not since before that, not since... honestly, he couldn’t remember. Meals had always been something he handled because someone had to.
“You don’t have to do that,” he managed, his voice rougher than he intended.
“I want to,” Holly said, her eyes meeting his with quiet determination. “Please. Let me do this for you all. As a thank you.”
As a thank you. The words echoed in his head. They had a finality to them. As if she were repaying his hospitality.
Before he could answer, she was moving into the kitchen with confidence, reaching for pans and spices as if she’d always cooked there. Daniel stood in the doorway, watching as she opened the refrigerator, assessing its contents with a thoughtful expression.
“I’m thinking pasta,” she announced. “With that chicken leftover from yesterday, and maybe a cream sauce?”
“Sounds perfect,” Daniel said, his voice barely audible over the sudden pounding of his heart.
Was this their last supper before she left?
If it were, he was going to make sure it was a meal she would never forget.
He moved to the cabinet where he kept the wine, pulling out a bottle of red he’d been saving for... something. Some occasion, he couldn’t quite define until now. He poured two glasses, handing one to Holly as she began chopping garlic.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a sip before setting the glass on the counter. Their fingers brushed in the exchange, and Daniel felt the contact like a current running up his arm.
Deep within him, something melted dangerously. His bear rumbled with something like awe.Our mate. Our home. Our family.
And he knew he had to tell her before she left. Had to tell her everything, no matter the consequences.
“Dad! Come see what we built!” Teddy’s voice called from the living room.
Daniel glanced at Holly, who shooed him away with a smile. “Go. I’ve got this under control.”