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Dad was now correcting Mom, saying trips to the Caribbean in the winter were better than skiing.

Being trapped on a ship with her family wasn’t Winnie’s ideal vacation either. In truth, she preferred to stay at home. And by home, she meant anywhere she felt at home with anyone who felt like family—particularly ones who didn’t insult her.

But when was the last time she’d felt that way?

“Now, listen here. No hands this time.”

Winnie glanced back up to the dad’s voice across the field. His back still faced her, the little girls still giggling behind their hands as he pointed at them.

Winnie paused, narrowing her eyes. There was something familiar about the voice. She strained to see across the field of grass, taking in the man’s tall stance and broad shoulders.

Broad shoulders? Her heart thumped.

She focused harder on him, only now seeing the dark, blond curls pulled up in a man bun at the crown of his head.

That hair. She hadn’t known it was long enough to be pulled back, but she could recognize it anywhere.

Matthew.

Sure enough, in the next moment, he kicked the ball to the side and watched as the girls ran after it, his profile finally being revealed to Winnie. He smiled after the girls, and Winnie’s heart skipped a beat.

She thought she’d been admiring a dad playing with his kids in a way she’d never experienced herself before, in a way she’d always wanted as a child. Now, to discover that Matthew—uptight, obsessed with historical accuracy Matthew—was the guy who was lax on the rules? She was reminded again of the first moments after they’d met, how he’d smiled and winked and teased her, and her heart pinched.

She hated this part of being a consultant. Seeing people as their true, happy selves away from her, only to be treated with disdain and anger by them merely because she was doing her job. Honestly, she and Matthew would probably get along were it not for her work. But then, how true had that been for every relationship—professional or friendly—that she’d attempted to make in the last few years?

More laughter sounded as Matthew chased after the two girls running away from him, and her thoughts shifted.

Whose were they, the little girls? His friend’s children? Godchildren? His…his own children?

An unsettled feeling hunkered down in her belly. He wasn’t married. He didn’t wear a ring. Unless, of course, he was just one of those guys who didn’t like wearing them.

Images of her time with him flashed through her vision, the connection they’d shared the day before, the arguments, the battles, then that final moment when his hand had lingered on her wrist.

She frowned. He couldn’t be married. She was…thirty percent sure. Divorced, maybe? Or were these his girlfriend’s kids?

She glanced around, a few seconds later finding a woman who looked a couple years younger than Winnie sitting on a blanket. The woman watched the girls and Matthew with a smile on her face and large sunglasses blocking her eyes. Her hair was dark and long, pulled in a low ponytail.

The wife. The sister. The girlfriend. The friend. Who was she?

Another buzz stole Winnie’s attention.

Sarah

So I doubt you were able to answer honestly with everyone on the chat. Especially Dad. But how is it there, really? And how do you feel about the faire?

Winnie’s mind swirled, attempting to balance her conversation between Sarah and her family—and now the possible discovery about Matthew. She hadn’t done anything inappropriate with him, but she nearly groaned at the mere notion of having been so attracted to an unavailable man.

Winnie

I’m actually kinda excited about it. If it weren’t for Dad’s judgments, I think I’d have fun. There’s a boatload to improve with the faire, but I’m up to the challenge.

The video chat continued, the argument carrying on about where they really should spend their family reunion. But Winnie was hardly following right now.

Matthew had just turned around, heading toward the girl on the blanket. A broad smile was on his face—something she’d never seen before.

It was striking. Distracting. Just like that hair on him. He looked like Thor with a man bun.

Her heart fluttered, but she chastised herself immediately. She wouldn’t admire him again until she was sure what his relationship status was.