Page 27 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

That had been her first lesson on the fact that love had limits. The stories of men slaying dragons, of sacrificing themselves so that their significant other could live, were just fantasies. Even her mother hadn’t loved her children enough to stay. She’d wanted a fresh break and her freedom more than she’d wanted to watch Wren and her brothers grow.

That betrayal was something Wren couldn’t forgive.

Wren had tracked down her mother a few years after leaving home; she was remarried and living in a big, beautiful house in Texas. Wren had sat across from her in that picture-perfect living room, searching for the right thing to say. After a few minutes of small talk and comparing the weather in Texas to Idaho, Wren had asked, I understand that you didn’t want to stay married to Dad, but why didn’t you want us?

Her mom’s brown eyes, the same shade as her own, dropped to her lap, and she answered softly, I just needed to find myself. Without the ties of my old life dragging me down. I found what was missing, and I was so happy, but I— I couldn’t find a way to make you kids fit in it. I’m sorry.

That was the last conversation she’d had with her mom. There was nothing more she could say after that anyway. Any apology would fall flat. Wren knew where her priorities were, and Wren told herself when she became a mom, her child would never feel less than total and complete love and security.

Only the mom part hadn’t happened yet.

Wren didn’t want a relationship, and it seemed like Sam didn’t want one either. Did he think tonight they might get some closure? Or was he hoping to rekindle things between them?

Sleeping with Sam would be a bad idea for several reasons, first and foremost being that letting anyone into her life, even as a friend, meant one more person she had to explain her choices to. How would Sam react if Wren told him she wanted a baby but not a man?

Wren shook her head, completely blown away that she was even thinking about this. It was bad enough reading the reactions from strangers, but people who knew her? Wren could just imagine how her dad would react if he knew, which was why she planned on being discreet until after she was pregnant. He didn’t have to know what she was planning.

Just like she’d never told Sam about the pregnancy scare, which ended up being for the best.

I need to stop obsessing about this. Tonight is about having dinner with an old friend.

She parked in front of a small house on the older side of town and spotted Sam when he stepped out onto the front porch, the light illuminating his tousled blond hair like a halo. Wren got out of the car and noted that he was wearing a black button-down and blue jeans, so she didn’t feel overdressed anymore.

“Am I late?” she asked, coming up the walkway to the front step.

“No, I was just going to watch for you. Make sure you found the place okay.”

“I recognized the address,” Wren said, nodding her head toward a blue house across the street. “They like to party.”

Sam chuckled. “Yes, they do. I’ve been invited but never joined in.”

“How long have you lived here?” she asked, stepping up onto the porch.

“About a year. I used to live in Merry Winters’ tiny house behind her parents’ place after she moved in with my brother,” he said, holding the door open for her so she could walk inside. Wren took in the clean, simple space with a small sectional, side table, and entertainment center on the wall with video game consoles and a large TV.

“Why did you move out?” she asked.

“It helped me save money, but it felt weird bringing women back to sleep in my sister-in-law’s former bed. Even though she didn’t say anything, I think she felt that way, too.”

Wren laughed. “Yeah, I probably would’ve been uncomfortable with that, too. Although, I’m surprised you didn’t pick a better neighborhood.”

“Eh, I like it here. Rent is still low enough for me to keep saving, and our neighbors look out for each other.”

Most of the crime that occurred in Mistletoe happened in this area and at the two bars, but Wren didn’t mention that. “What are you saving money for?”

“I want to buy my own tattoo place,” he said, shutting the door. He helped her off with her coat, and Wren warmed at the appreciation in his eyes. “Damn.”

“Well, thank you. This is my first dinner in a long time with someone other than my family, so I wanted to look my best.”

“Mission accomplished.”

Wren hung her purse up on the hook with her coat and cleared her throat. “So, what made you want to come back to Mistletoe and start your business here?”

“The fact that my life savings was stolen,” he said with a bitter laugh.

Anger rushed through her. “No. Seriously? Who?”

“When I lived in Oregon, my boss was planning to retire, and we set up an agreement where I paid him to carry the loan to buy his tattoo shop since I didn’t have the credit to get one through a bank. I gave him my savings and another year of payments before he took my money and ran.” Sam held out his hand and she took it. “Come on, I’ll give you a tour before dinner.”