Page 98 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

“She’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions.” Robert scowled at each of his sons, growling, “Why do you have to be all up in everyone’s business?”

Although it was subtle, Sam saw Wren’s dad catch her gaze and wink.

Pete blinked. “Have we been replaced with pod people?”

“Where is Elizabeth?” Wren asked, trying to take the attention off them.

“In the back, watching something with Lukas,” Luke said, barely glancing away from the TV. “She has a headache, and he was restless, so they went to lie down.”

“And you didn’t think to take charge of your son in order to give your wife a break?” Wren scolded, dropping Sam’s hand and marching toward the back of the house without another word.

Luke looked at his dad and his brothers. “Am I the asshole in the situation?”

“Yes,” all of them chorused, including Sam.

Luke climbed to his feet and followed after Wren.

Robert got out of his chair. “Time to get some more firewood.” He motioned for Sam to come with him. “Let’s go.”

“Wouldn’t you rather take one of your sons who are related to you and whom you love very much to do this chore that requires the splintering of wood with an axe?”

“Stop being a candy-ass and get out here,” Robert said, opening the door and holding it for him. “If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done it when you walked through the door.”

Sam looked at the other two men in the room, who raised their hands. Pete mouthed, Good luck.

Resigned to his fate, he followed Robert out onto the porch and down the steps. They crossed the yard to a large shed where wood had been stacked neatly inside.

“Hold out your arms,” Robert said.

Sam did what he asked, and Robert started stacking wood in his arms.

“Now I need to say a few things to you, and then I don’t ever wanna talk about it again. You understand?”

“Alright,” Sam said.

“I realize that my actions when you were just a kid were not right, and I am sorry that I misjudged you. I was scared that you were going to ruin my daughter’s life, and I acted out of that fear. I took your letter and hid it from her. I am sorry for that as well.”

Sam stared at the top of the other man’s head as Robert continued to load Sam’s arms as if he wasn’t telling him that he had derailed his entire life. He said it in such a matter-of-fact and casual way, like it hadn’t altered the course of their lives. This rankled Sam, but it wouldn’t do any good to hash it out more.

What else could Sam do? This was Wren’s dad, and she loved him, warts and all.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“So, we’re good?” Robert asked, wiping his hands on his pants.

“Actually, I have a few things to say.”

Robert looked to the sky. “Oh brother, let’s go.”

“I love your daughter, and I want to make a life with her, and that means I have to forgive you. So I do.”

“That’s it?” Robert asked.

“That’s it.”

“Alright, then let’s go back inside. Start up the fire and make some sandwiches.”

“Let’s do it.”