Page 35 of This Christmas

Afterward, Charlotte curled up on the sofa to watch The Grinch, and Joe stretched out close to Ally. That had her heart rate spiking during the entire movie.

She tried to sit back and enjoy the flickering lights on the Christmas tree as the fire he’d built warmed the entire house.

She’d been in the holiday spirit—at least until Ted’s visit. But now, the warmth was slowly returning. Maybe this year would finally be different.

Last Christmas, she and Charlotte had spent the week hiding out in a hotel room after a pair of Ted’s private investigators stationed themselves right outside her apartment door. Since the walkway was public property, there hadn’t been anything she could do to make them leave. Her only option had been to run. She’d weaved through side streets for more than ten miles and then had doubled back when she was sure she’d lost them. She stopped at the first hotel she found with a parking garage and checked in for the week, using the last of her savings to do it.

She caught Joe watching her with that quiet protectiveness again, the kind that made her chest ache in a way she couldn’t quite name. Occasionally, he’d glance out the window and she realized that he’d positioned himself so that he could see the entire driveway.

She’d called Max the day before, and he’d agreed to call the security company and was thankful Joe had switched out the locks. Of course, he had a million questions for her about the man and had returned her call almost an hour later. He informed her that he had talked to Nate to get his approval and thoughts on Joe. He’d probably had Juliette called Aiden at get his thoughts on Joe as well.

As she wrapped her hands around her mug of hot chocolate, she felt the steady hum of contentment she hadn’t known she’d been missing.

For the first time in years, she felt like she could let her guard slip. At least a little.

When Charlotte fell asleep, she turned off the movie and started to lift her into her arms to carry her upstairs.

“I’ve got her,” Joe said, easing her daughter into his arms gently. “You turn down the bed.” He motioned toward the stairs.

He followed her up and after she pulled the blankets aside, he gently laid her down and covered her again. She watched him tuck the hair away from her daughter’s face and saw how gentle he was with her.

When she shut the bedroom door behind them and they stood in the hallway together, she narrowed her eyes at him.

“What’s the catch?” she asked, and his eyebrows shot up.

“What?” He frowned at her.

She shook her head and took a few steps away from her daughter’s bedroom door. Then she turned and crossed her arms over her chest. “You, what’s the catch?”

He shook his head. “There isn’t one.”

She rolled her eyes. “There is always a catch,” she said quietly.

He shrugged. “I’m not sure…” he started, but she knew they were being too loud, so she took his arm and led him down the hallway. She stopped at the loft area near the top of the stairs so they could talk without waking Charlotte.

“I’ve learned that men like you don’t really exist. There is always a catch. You’re not married?”

He seemed to understand her now and shook his head. “No, not married. Never have been,” he answered quickly.

“You’re not some psycho killer?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Though if I was, I doubt I’d tell you. But, if you want, you can look into my past. I have my computer. I’ll pull up my records if you want?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I pretty much stalked your social media already. People can hide who they really are on social media.”

He thought for a moment. “I’m a private investigator. I use other people’s social media against them sometimes, so I get that.” Then his smile was back. “You can call my parents or sister?” he offered.

She nodded. “That might work, but it’s late.” She threw up her hands.

He remained quiet for a moment. “What are you asking me? You trust me enough to allow me to stay here, to protect you and Charlotte...” He paused. “Right?”

“Yes.” She threw up her hands, then turned on him. “I trusted Ted at one point in my life too. If you know things about me, like you say you do, you understand that my father was… abusive. My youngest sister Faye wasn’t the only one he damaged. I thought Ted was going to be different. I’d confided in him all the horrors I’d gone through as a child. The beatings. Being locked in closets in the dark for hours, sometimes even days, while my mother was at work. That molded me into the jumpy person that I am today. That and Ted.” She started pacing. “You…” She stopped when he continued to remain quiet. “You, however, are different than… anyone else.” She admitted the last quietly. “You’re kinder than anyone I’ve…”

She stopped herself, realizing what she had been about to admit.

“What?” he asked in a low tone as he took a step closer to her.

“I’ve never been… attracted to anyone like you before,” she admitted finally after his eyes searched hers.