Page 53 of The Forever Christmas Tree

She nodded.

He bristled. Why would Cassie confide in someone who was virtually a stranger to her, and not to him? And he didn’t want to hear about any of those “girl talk” arguments. Hadn’t he been the one who talked to her about sex and menstrual periods? Didn’t he buy her a training bra for her nonexistent breasts? Hadn’t he held her when she was sobbing over a remark Billy Sampson had made about “gimps”? He’d thought, until now, that there was nothing his daughter couldn’t speak with him about. But then, she’d shocked the hell out of him this week with the “Wendy kind of love” remark, which she’d been keeping to herself for a long time now.

His hurt feelings must have shown on his face, or in his demeanor, because Wendy said, “Don’t get bent out of shape. Cassie just thought I could help her. She didn’t realize that I wouldn’t be staying here in Bell Cove.”

“Even if you were, I’m the one who knows Cassie’s limitations. Swimming is actually good for her condition, but there are certain strokes that put too much stress on her hip, like a frog kick. She has to be careful.”

“I understand that, but Cassie thinks you’re too cautious.”

He rolled his eyes.

“I know what you’re thinking, but—”

“Wendy, you don’t have a clue what I’m thinking.” About anything.

“Okay, poor choice of words. Let me rephrase that. I know it’s none of my business how you raise your daughter, but if you’re willing, I could spend a day at the pool with Cassie before I go back to California. The health club in Sunset Dunes still has a high dive, doesn’t it? Oh, don’t go getting all frowny faced again. I wouldn’t be putting her on a high dive. Just demonstrating.”

“You would do that?” he asked, but what he was thinking was “frowny face”? Really, all this grinch crap was getting to him. Next he would be walking around with a loopy smile on his face, just to prove he wasn’t a grouch. Jeesh!

“Sure.”

“Why?”

“Don’t be an ass. As a favor to an old friend.”

Number one, yes, I am being an ass. A grinchy ass. Number two, “friend,” my ass! “What would just one day accomplish? Wouldn’t that set her up for disappointment? I mean, she might get attached to you, and, then, bam! You’re gone. Again.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “That was a cheap shot.”

“I’ve been burned, Wendy. I don’t want my little girl to get burned, too.”

“So much for closure! I got burned, too, you idiot!”

He put his hands up in surrender. “Listen, I appreciate your offer and your good intentions. I want my little girl to be happy. If you think one day in a pool with her would help, in any way, go for it.”

“Thanks a bunch!”

Ethan couldn’t seem to speak for tripping over his tongue . . . around Wendy, anyhow. “Can we start over?”

“I thought that’s what we did yesterday.”

“That was before you brought up ‘screwing for closure.’”

Her eyes widened. “Is that what this is all about?”

“No!” He inhaled and exhaled before admitting, “Yes.”

She smiled slowly and shook her head at him, as if he was hopeless.

He was—pretty much—when it came to her.

“So, friends with benefits for the week or so until you leave town?” he suggested, reaching out a hand to flick one of her earlobes, to show he was teasing. “Classic ‘screwing for closure’ method, if you ask me.”

“Not a chance!” She laughed and smacked at his hand which had strayed to her nape.

He shrugged. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“It’s good to see you being so playful. I’ve hated how hostile you’ve been toward me. It’s not right. Remember, Ethan, we were friends long before we were . . . anything else.”