Their eyes met across the ballroom, and something flickered in Jane’s expression. Pain, maybe. Or recognition of his matching formality. She looked away first.
“It’s fine,” Jane said, her voice softening slightly. She turned to Trinity with a smile that transformed her entire face. “Why don’t you show your dad what we did with the stage area? You were so proud of how the backdrop turned out.”
And just like that, the ice melted. When Jane looked at his daughter, her features softened completely.Genuine warmth and care radiated from her expression. She cared about Trinity. That much was obvious.
Trinity grabbed Gabe’s hand and pulled him toward the stage, chattering about fabric and draping techniques that went completely over his head. But he watched Jane out of the corner of his eye as she followed at a distance. She kept her attention on Trinity, answering questions and offering praise, but she avoided looking directly at him.
What had he done to earn such a frosty reception? They’d barely spoken two words to each other since he’d arrived.
“Dad, you’re not paying attention again,” Trinity accused.
“Sorry, sweetheart. Show me the backdrop.” Gabe snapped out of his thoughts.
He forced himself to focus on what his daughter was showing him, trying to ignore the uncomfortable awareness of Jane’s presence nearby. She moved around the ballroom with efficient grace, straightening decorations and adjusting placements as Trinity gave him the full tour.
“Uncle Christopher!” Trinity’s delighted shout made them all turn.
Christopher stood in the doorway, freshly showered and looking far too amused for comfort. “You two ready to head out?”
“Almost,” Trinity called back. “Come look at what we did!”
Christopher walked into the ballroom, and his eyebrows rose as he took in the space. “This looks awesome and a whole lot of hard work.”
“It is,” Jane confessed, and Gabe noticed how her tone warmed slightly when addressing Christopher. Apparently, her frostiness was reserved specifically for him.
“We could use some strong hands to help move some of the heavier pieces when we get them,” Trinity said before Jane could redirect the conversation. “Would you guys be able to help sometime?” Her eyes widened. “And you’re so tall, Uncle Christopher, you would help alotwith putting up decorations.”
“Of course,” Christopher said without hesitation. He glanced at Gabe with a grin that promised teasing later. “Considerusin. Whatever you need.” His grin widened. “Just no ladders for your dad. He can lift things like baubles and ornaments from the ground. Keep the high work for those of us without medical boots.”
Gabe shot his friend a look that should have scorched, but Christopher just laughed it off like he always did.
“Trinity!” Maddy’s voice echoed from the hallway, and moments later, she appeared in the doorway, clearly ready for their day out. Her dark hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and she wore jeans and a cheerful red sweater. “I’m ready. Mom said I could go for the whole day!”
She crossed to Jane immediately and wrapped her in a hug. “Goodmorning, Jane!”
Jane’s entire demeanor transformed again. She returned the hug warmly, her smile genuine. “Good morning, Maddy.” She glanced between the two girls. “I hope you two have a wonderful time today. You deserve it as you’ve both been working so hard.”
Gabe watched the interaction with growing understanding. Jane wasn’t cold. She just had walls up. But children got past those walls easily. It was the adults she kept at a distance.
“We’re going to do some shopping and I’m taking Trinity, her dad, and Christopher to the dance studio to watch a Christmas show,” Maddy said, her excitement bubbling over. “Mom said the youth company is performing excerpts from The Nutcracker.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Jane said, looking fondly at Trinity. “You’ll love it, Trinity, as you love ballet so much.”
“Why don’t you come with us?” Trinity asked, and Gabe felt a mix of emotions swirl in his chest.
On one hand, his daughter was trying to include someone she obviously admired. On the other hand, this was supposed to be their daddy-daughter day. Well, daddy-daughter-best-friend-and-honorary-uncle day, but still.
“Oh, no,” Jane said quickly, her eyes meeting Gabe’s for a brief second. In that fleeting moment, he could have sworn he saw panic flash across her face. Like a rabbit cornered by a fox, looking for escape.
“I’m sure Jane has a lot to do here,” Gabe said, coming to her rescue with a tight smile. “We’ll be back in a couple of hours and can give you a hand with anything you need.”
Relief flickered in Jane’s eyes. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.” She accepted the offer reluctantly, and he could tell it cost her pride to admit she needed help. “Gabe’s right. There’s a lot to do if we’re going to get this place ready by Christmas Eve.”
“We’re going to the lantern-lit carriage rides through St. Augustine tonight,” Trinity announced, apparently undeterred by Jane’s first refusal. “Why don’t you join us for that?” The excitement shone so clearly in his daughter’s eyes that Gabe’s heart squeezed. “Maddy, Isabella, Uncle Christopher, Dad, and I are all going. Please, please come. You work so hard. You need a break.”
“I don’t think...” Jane started, but Julie Christmas appeared in the doorway as if summoned by some maternal radar.
“What’s not to think about, dear?” Julie asked, carrying a tea service that looked far too elegant for mid-morning in a work zone.
