Page 106 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

“It’s my fault, really.” Robert sighed, sounding defeated. “I was angry when her mother left, and I probably didn’t set a good example of how to handle divorce. I should’ve dated. I should’ve moved on, but I was busy. I was working, I had the kids, and I didn’t stop to think about it until all of my kids were gone and I was alone. And by that time, I was set in my ways. If a woman came in and tried to change things, how was I gonna feel?”

Now Sam was lost and had no idea where Robert was going with this. “Is there a point you’re trying to make, because if you’re asking for dating advice, I don’t know that I’m the right person to come to.”

“No, I’m not coming to you for dating advice, you idiot,” Robert snapped, giving Sam’s shoulder a nudge. “I am saying that Wren’s views on marriage are my fault, and I’ve tried to fix it, but I think the only way she is going to change her mind will be because of you.”

Robert reached into his pocket and held out a box to him. “Open it.”

Sam did and found a beautiful princess cut diamond ring inside. His heart pounded at the magnitude of what Robert was offering with the ring, not just something that would be special to Wren but also his blessing. Sam wanted to say something heartfelt, but he knew the big man wouldn’t handle sentimentality well coming from Sam.

Instead, what came out was, “It’s gorgeous, sir, but I’m in love with your daughter.”

“I know that, smart-ass. It’s for her.” Robert pulled the ring out of the holder and turned it so the sunshine caught the diamond, making it sparkle. “It was my mother’s ring. I was saving it to give to Wren when she found somebody she wanted to be with, and I think that person is you. I am giving it to you so that you can change my daughter’s mind and make her happy.” Robert’s face suddenly turned thunderous, and he growled, “Because if you don’t make her happy, I’ve got a spot between two pine trees in my backyard just long enough for you.”

Sam stared at Robert for several seconds and finally beamed at him.

“Thank you, sir, for giving me your blessing.”

“Oh, for the love of God, it’s a damn ring,” the older man grumbled. “That ain’t my blessing.”

“I think we should hug this out,” Sam said, holding his arms wide and taking a step toward Robert, who backed away.

“Get the fuck away from me.”

“Another time, then, but someday you’re gonna love me.”

Robert just grunted. It wasn’t a no.

Chapter Thirty-three

The family was sitting around the Christmas tree looking through all the presents and talking. Spiked eggnog had been passed around, and for those who couldn’t partake, tea and hot chocolate. The dinner turned out to be really good with no upset stomachs. Wren suspected that something was afoot, though, because Sam had been extra charming today. Instead of being reserved and letting the rest of the family do all the talking, he had joined in, even razzing her dad several times; Robert seemed to take it in stride considering how he’d felt about Sam for nineteen years. To see him come around so quickly boggled Wren’s mind.

Sam excused himself and went outside, and when he came back, he had one more gift that he placed on her lap.

“For you,” he said.

She opened the small, flat box, and inside was a piece of transparent paper with a drawing of two hearts on it: one had the date they met nineteen years ago, and the other had the date of their first dinner after reconnecting. He’d taken her idea one step further by coloring in the hearts with watercolors in brilliant shades like a sunset. In addition, he included a small heart at the end.

“I figured we could always add in the last date when the time came,” he said, and she knew he was talking about when she got pregnant. Wren’s heart thudded in her chest as she stared down at the beautiful gift that had come from his heart.

“It’s beautiful.” Wren traced the outline of the hearts with her fingertips, imagining what they would look like on her skin, and her heart swelled with pride and happiness. This was something meaningful, something she could imagine putting on her body. The fact that Sam understood and had created something so perfect touched her deeply.

“What is it, some kind of drawing?” asked Elizabeth, craning her neck to see.

“It’s my tattoo.”

“You’re gonna get a tattoo?” Pete asked incredulously.

“I am. I’m going to get this tattoo.” Wren turned the picture around to show her family, and Pete was the first one to get up, truly studying the drawing.

“What is it?” he asked.

Wren shot Sam a warm smile. “It’s the first time we met and the date we reconnected.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s so romantic,” Elizabeth gushed.

Luke made a face. “Gross, that’s my sister.”

“I don’t care that she’s your sister,” Elizabeth said, elbowing him in the ribs. “I think that’s sweet.” She turned to her husband with a scowl on her face. “Why don’t you get a tattoo of our first date?”