Ford came into the kitchen. "What are we talking about?"
"Mom wants grandkids," Lincoln said by way of warning.
Ford held his palms up and slowly backed out of the room. "I think I have somewhere else to be."
Maria shook her head. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I'd like grandkids, but I can wait."
Lincoln shot Ford a look as if that wasn't true, and I couldn't help smiling. Their family was so close. Even with the constant ribbing and teasing, they genuinely seemed to enjoy each other'scompany. I was glad that Hudson invited me over, but it was getting late. I wanted to get Ayla to bed early. "We should probably head out."
His mother bustled around the counter, hooking her arm through my elbow as she guided me into the living room. "I bet you have a million things to do tonight. We all know who Santa really is, don't we?"
"It's a lot to do." It would be nice to have an elf to my Santa, but I'd been doing this alone for a long time.
"I had a lot of kids, but I couldn't imagine doing it alone. No matter if it's one or six kids, it's a lot. We're here for you though. Just let us know if you need anything. You're not just Hudson's client. You're a part of this family now."
I wanted to argue with her, but she was so genuine; it was impossible to put up a fuss.
Hudson appeared in front of us. "Did you want to head out?"
"Yeah, it's getting late." And I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all the people and the kindness. I wasn't used to large family gatherings.
"I'll tell Ayla," Hudson said heading to where she was playing a card game with Morgan and Maverick.
When Hudson said something to her, her face fell. But then he must have reminded her that Santa was coming because she handed her cards to Morgan and gave him a hug. He looked a little stunned. Then she hugged Maverick. She was winning these gruff brothers over one by one.
It seemed like they adopted people, starting with Cooper who was here tonight. He wasn't their brother, but it was easy to forget. He blended in like he'd always been a part of things.
I didn't want to get too attached because what would happen when the job was done at my shop? I'd go back to being alone again. I didn't want to think that a family like this could be mine.One by one, each brother would find a woman to spend their life with and have grandkids. I was only here temporarily.
"Do we have to leave?" Ayla asked.
I hugged her to me. "Yes, Santa won't come if you don't go to sleep."
Thankfully, Ayla didn't argue. I was exhausted from the thought of everything I had to do tonight. I wanted to make the day special for her.
I could see how Christmas would be different at the Sterlings, full of light and love. Ayla would love it, and I felt guilty that I couldn't give her a family like theirs. But I didn't get to pick my family, and neither did she. We were both only children. The only difference was that her parents weren't together anymore.
She couldn't even remember a time when we were together. I felt guilty that I couldn't give her the ideal childhood, two parents who lived together, and everything that came with it. Two incomes. A big house. Maybe even the dog she'd been asking for.
"It's a big day tomorrow," Hudson added
"I'm so glad you could come." Aspen hugged me, throwing me off a little. "We don't get to hang out much. I'm always behind the counter at the inn. But we should grab a coffee sometime."
"That would be great."
We said our goodbyes to everyone else, which took longer than I anticipated. It was thirty minutes later before we were inside the cab of his truck and driving to my house.
Hudson pointed out the best light displays on the way home, and it felt like we were a family. I was careful not to get too close to anyone. I was painfully aware that my family was different. That I was more independent than most. But the holidays meant family time, and it was hard not to get caught up in the Sterlings.
Hudson parked in the driveway next to my car.
Inside, I asked Ayla, "Why don't you get ready, and I'll read you the book?"
Ayla ran up the stairs, probably excited for Christmas morning.
Hudson arched a brow. "The book?"
"The Night Before Christmas.It's a tradition that we read it on Christmas Eve."
