Step out of the winter -...

StepoutofthewinterchillandintothewarmthofFool’sGold,California,thecharmingsmall-townsettingforanewholidaynovellafromNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorSusanMallery

FamousformerNFLstarsdon’tdatesingleworkingmomslikeBaileyVoss.She’llallowherselftodaydreamaboutKennyScott’smusclesandkillersmile,butwantingmorewouldleadtopost-holidayregret.ThenKennyvolunteerstorunatoydrivewithBailey,andshelearnsthathe’snotjusthot…he’salsogenerous,funny,nice.

Thewholepackage—tantalizinglyoutofreach.

TheacheofpastlossremindsKennywhyheneedstoavoidgettingtooclosetoanyone.Especiallytoagorgeousredheadandheradorablelittlegirl.Messitup,andhe’dlosethemboth.YetKennycanonlyresistBaileyforsolong.Andasfestivespiritspreadsthroughoutthe

town,he’sallwrappedupinBailey’ssweet,sexykissesanddeterminedtomakethisthefirstofmanyChristmasestogether…

YOURSFORCHRISTMAS

SusanMallery

ThisisforLindaElliott,whosaidyestothemanof

herdreamsWaymon(Ray),in1961on

ChristmasEve.Sincehisillnessanddeathin

2008,Lindahasreturnedtocomfort

reading,herfirstlove,witha

vengeance.

Contents

CHAPTERONE

CHAPTERTWO

CHAPTERTHREE

CHAPTERFOUR

CHAPTERFIVE

CHAPTERSIX

CHAPTERSEVEN

CHAPTEREIGHT

CHAPTERNINE

CHAPTERTEN

CHAPTERELEVEN

CHAPTERONE

“MOM,EVENTHOUGHIknowthere’snoSanta,isitstillokaytohaveastocking?”BaileyVosssmiledather

daughter.Beingasinglemomwasoftenachallenge,buteverynowandthenshethoughtmaybe,justmaybe,shewasgettingitright.“Ofcourse,”shetoldher

seven-year-old.“Christmasisaboutbeingwiththepeopleweloveandsharingourtraditions.Astockingisatradition.”Chloebeamed.“Whencan

weputoutourstockings?Anddecoratethehouse?”Herbright,adorablegirlpaused.“Whenwemove,right?CanweputupourChristmastreetheveryfirstnight?”“Wecan,”Bailey

promised,confidentshewasgoingtobeexhaustedafteralongdayofmoving,butdeterminedtomakethisthebestChristmaseverforherlittlegirl.Chloehadalreadybeen

throughsomuch,mostespeciallythelossofherdadoverayearago.Butshewashappyandthrivingnow.Baileyandherdaughterhadmadeaplaceforthemselves

inFool’sGoldandtheywerelessthanamonthfrommovingintowhatBaileyhopedwastheirforeverhome.Baileyhadagreatjobsheloved,Chloehadfriendsandwasdoingwellinschool.Awonderfulholidayseasonwasexactlyhowsheplannedtofinishupheryear.Chloewalkedtothe

calendarattachedtotherefrigeratorandcountedout

thedays.“Seventeendaysuntil

Thanksgiving,”shesaidexcitedly.“Thentwelvemoredaysuntilwemoveandgetourtreeandstockings.”Shehurriedovertohermotherandhuggedher.“It’salmostChristmas!”Baileyheldhertightly,

thenstrokedherhair.“I’mproudofyou,honey,”shesaid,tryingtokeepfrom

soundingtooemotional.“You’reworkinghardinschoolandyou’reabighelptome.”Herdaughterlookedup

her.“Iloveyou,Mom.”“Iloveyou,too,sweet

girl.”Sheglancedattheclockonthestoveandheldinashriek.“Wearesolate!”Chloelaughedandpulled

back,thenranoutofthekitchen.“I’mready.Ijust

needmycoat.”FiveminuteslatertheVoss

womenwerewalkingbrisklytowardChloe’sschool.Afterdroppingoffherdaughter,Baileycontinuedontowardcityhall,wheresheworkedasMayorMarshaTilson’sassistant.MayorMarshawasthe

longest-servingmayorinCalifornia.Sheranhertownwithanimpressive

combinationofcarrotandstick.BaileywasprettysureMayorMarshacouldtwistthedevilhimselftoherbidding.Todaywasnoexception.Onlyitwasn’tgoingtobe

thedevilwalkingthroughthemayor’sofficedoors.Insteadtheywouldbevisitedbyatall,broad-shoulderedmanwhogotBailey’shearttoflutteringinawaythatreallycouldn’tbehealthy.

“It’sjustacrush,”BaileytoldherselfasshewaitedinlineatBrew-hahaforhermorninglatte,thenrealizedthattalkingaloudinacrowdwasasurewaytogetherneighborsandfriendstoworryingabouther.Shepressedherlipstogether,thenfeltthemcurveintoasmileasshethoughtabouthowbeingaroundKennyScottmadeherfeelsixteenagain.

Sheknewthathavingacrushwasnobigdeal.Itwasapartoflife.Aslongasshedidn’tactonit,shewouldbefine.Becausethrowingherselfatthemuscular,formerNFLplayer,andSuperBowl-winningreceiver,wouldbefoolishandpossiblypathetic.Therewasnowayshewas

Kenny’stype.Notthatshe’deverseenhimwithawoman,

butstill.Hewasgorgeous.Darkblondhair,bigblueeyes.Hewasbuiltlikeasuperheroandstrong.Agentlegiantofaman.Andspeakingofbig,hishands...Sheheldinanothersigh,

placedherorder,wavedatherfriendPatience,whowasmanningtheespressomachine,thenmovedtowaitforherdrink.Thetruthwasthatfamous

formerNFLstarsdidn’tdatesmall-townsinglemoms.Especiallynotthosewhowerebattlinganextratwentypounds.Baileyfiguredshewasattractiveenough.She’dbeenblessedwiththickredhairandniceskin,butshewasn’tlikethosewomeninthegossipmagazines.Shewasprettymuchthesameaseveryoneelseinthenormalworld.Shehadajob,she

worriedaboutherdaughterandmuchofthetimeherpaycheckbarelystretchedtocoverherbills.Shewasn’texactlyahunky-guymagnet.Butthatwasthebeautyof

acrush.Shecouldlookanddreamallshewanted,forfree.Andifthemaninquestionhappenedtobecominginforameetingthatverymorning,thenshewassimplygoingtohavemoreto

sighaboutlater.Whichmadetodayaverygoodday.

***

ASKENNYSCOTT’SfriendJackhadonceadmitted,goingtoseeMayorMarshawasabitlikevisitingthegreatandpowerfulWizardofOz.Butwithouttheflyingmonkeysorthemanmanipulatingthingsbehind

thecurtain.UnfortunatelyforKenny,MayorMarshacamebyherpowertheold-fashionedway,andnotthroughsmokeandmirrors.Ifitwerethelatter,shewouldbesomucheasiertorefuse.Itwasn’tthathewasafraid

ofthewoman,hetoldhimselfashewalkedtowardcityhall.Itwasthathedidn’tlikesituationswherehecouldn’tsayno.AndwithMayor

Marsha,nowasn’tawordpeoplegenerallyuttered.Heknewhecouldtell

himselftobestrong.Thatshewasmerelyanoldwoman.Butthetruthwasfarmorecomplexthanthat.MayorMarshaknewthingssheshouldn’t,andnoonecouldfigureouthow.Kennyassumedshehadanetworkofaccompliceswhofedhertidbitsofinformation.Sheput

themallintosomeretiredNSAcomputerprogramthatpredictedbehaviororsomething.Heshookhisheadasheclimbedthestepstothemainentrance.Maybeheshouldsimplyaccepttheprevailingwisdomthatthemayorwasn’tofthisearth.Orhadprecognition.Regardless,shehadsummonedhimandherehewas.Hetookaflightofstairsto

thesecondfloorandwalkeddownthewidehallway.Asigndirectedhimtothemayor’soffice.Hewalkedthroughthe

opendoorwayonlytogethitbyathree-hundred-poundcornerback.Okay,notreally,butthatwaswhatitfeltlike.Hecametoastop,unnoticedbythesingleoccupantoftheofficefoyer,andtoldhimselfthathewasimaginingthe

bodyblow.Andtheattraction.Heknewthecurvyredhead

sittingguardoutsidethemayor’sinnersanctum.He’dseenherdozensoftimesintown,hadtalkedtoher.Heevenknewherkid.Butwhileseven-year-oldChloewasadorableandonlyalittledangerous,thesamecouldn’tbesaidforhermom.BaileyVosswasawalking,

breathingtemptation.Sheshouldcomewithapermanentwarningsignandaquarantinezone.Becausewhenhewaswithintenfeetofher,hisbrainshutdownandhebecameanidiot.Hecouldn’tfigureout

whatitwasaboutherthatgottohim.Shewastallandhelikedtall,butitwasn’tlikethatwassounusualinandofitself.Thelong,wavyredhair

wassexy,butsurvivable.Hewantedtosayitwasherbiggreeneyes.Therewasaninnocencethere,atrust,andthatappealedtohim.Okay,fine.Hewould

admitit.Hewasjustasmentallysimpleaseveryothermanontheplanet.SexwasimportantandwhenhesawBaileyVossallhecouldthinkaboutwasgettinghernakedandhavinghisway

withher.Hewasprettysurethatthreeorfourhundredtimeswoulddothetrick.Underanyother

circumstances,hewouldaskherout,wowherwithhischarm,getherintobedandgetoverher.Orfallcrazyinlovewithher.Hewasopentoeither.Onlythatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Notever.Shewasasinglemomandhedidn’tdatesinglemoms.Notnow,

notinthefuture.Becausesinglemomscamewithkidsandwhileaguycouldgetoverfallingforawoman,kidsrippedoutyourheartandtookitwiththemwhentheyleft.Therewasnorecoveringfromthat.Hebracedhimselfforthe

inevitablefeelingofbeingallfeetandnobrain,thenclearedhisthroat.Baileylookedupandsmiled.

Thatwasallittook.Onesweetsmileandhewasagoner.He’dplayedintheNFL—shouldn’thebebetterthanthis?“Hi,Kenny,”shesaid.

“You’rerightontime.”“IfiguredifIwasn’t,she’d

unleashthedragons.”Bailey’ssmileturnedintoa

littlelaugh.Oneofthosesoft,sweetsoundsthatmadeamanthinkabouthowhe

shouldhavematchingtowelsandmaybegetsomethingmonogrammed.He’dreadoncethatmenmighthaveconqueredtheWest,butwomenhadcivilizedit.Truerwords,hethoughtglumly.“Themayorsaidtobring

yourightin,”Baileytoldhim.Sheroseandsteppedout

frombehindthedesk.Shewaswearingadress.

Somegraytweedyfabricthat

probablyhadanameorwasthelateststyle.Hedidn’tcareaboutthecolororthestyle.Whathelikedwashowthedressfollowedthegenerouslinesofherbody.Thestyleemphasizedherbreastsandherhips.Sheworebootswithsensibleflatheelsandstillcameuppasthisshoulder.Shemovedcloserand

suddenlyhecouldsmellsomegirlieshampooorsoap.It

madehimthinkofBaileyintheshower,whichwasdangerousandfunatthesametime.Shemovedtowardthe

closeddoubledoorsandhefollowed.Shecametoanunexpectedstopandhenearlyplowedintoher.Beforehecouldmoveback,sheturnedtofacehim.Hergreeneyeswerebig

andherlasheswerelong.Her

fulllipshadsomekindofglossonthemandhebrieflywonderedifithadaflavor.Becauseeverynowandthenwhenhekissedawomanhegotatwofer.Asweet,sexymouthandahintofpiñacolada.Itwasnice.WomenwereniceandBaileywasthenicestofthem—Hegrabbedhisself-control

withbothhandsanddeliberatelytookastep

towardsafety.Earlyinhiscareeracoachhadtoldhimthathehadonejobonthefield.Tocatchthefootballandrunittotheendzone.Nothingelsemattered.Theadvicehadservedhimwell.WhenitcametoBailey,he

onlyhadtorememberonething.Shewasn’tforhim.Ifhekeptthatinmind,hewouldbefine.“Ishouldhaveasked,”she

said.“Didyouwantsomecoffee?Wehaveapotgoing.”“I’mgood.”Somethingflashedinher

eyesandhersmilebroadened.Hewantedtoaskwhatshewasthinking,butbeforehecould,she’dopenedthedoortothemayor’sofficeandledthewayinside.Thespacewaslargewitha

hugedeskandbigwindows.

Therewerethreeflagsbehindthemayor’sdesk.TheU.S.Flag,theCaliforniastateflagandonethatheguessedwasthesealofFool’sGold.MayorMarshawasinher

sixtieswithwhitehair.Sheworesuitsordressesandpearls.Onthesurfaceshewasn’ttheleastbitintimidating,buthe’dseengrownmenbowtoherbiddingandbeunableto

explainwhy.Todayshehadonared

dress.ShesmiledwelcominglywhenhefollowedBaileytoherdesk,thenroseandshookhishand.“Mr.Scott,thankyouso

muchforseeingme.”Uh-huh,likehebelieved

he’dhadachoice.“Kenny,please.”Shemotionedforhimto

sit.Baileytookthechairnext

tohisandMayorMarshasettledbackinherseat.Theolderwomanstudied

himforamomentbeforenodding.Asifshe’djustmadeadecision.Kennybrieflywonderedhowbigapaininhisbuttthatdecisionwasgoingtobe.“Asyouknow,”shebegan,

“wehavevariousserviceprojectsforourFWMgroves.”

“Sure.”Fool’sGoldhaditsown

versionofscouting.FutureWarriorsoftheMáa-zib.TheMáa-zibtribewastheformerindigenoustribeofthearea.Theyhadbeenamatriarchalsociety,sotheFWMwasforgirlsfromagesixtomaybeten.TheyprogressedfromAcornsinyearonetoSproutsandsoonuntiltheirfinalyearwhentheywereMightyOaks.

Thegirlswerein“groves”andtherewasaGroveKeeper.Taryn,oneofhisbusiness

partners,wasaco-leaderofagrovewithherhusband,Angel.Chloe,Bailey’sdaughter,wasintheirgrove.Kennyhadhelpedherandoneofherfriendslearnknotsthispastspring.“YouknowtheSprouts?”

themayorasked.

“Taryn’sgrove?Sure.”HelookedatBailey,butsheseemedaspuzzledashewas.“Isthereaproblemwith

theSprouts?”sheaskedherboss.“Chloehasn’tsaidanything.”“Alliswell,”themayor

assuredher.“However,thereisaslightlogisticalproblem.Eachgrovehasaserviceprojectfortheyear.TheSproutswanttohaveatoy

drivefortheholidays.Anadmirableandambitiousprojecttobesure.ButwithTarynandAngeltravelingforthenextmonth,theyhavenoleader.”“Taryn’snottraveling,”

Kennysaid.Shewouldhavesaidsomethingtohimandhispartners.He’djustseenheryesterdayattheirstaffmeeting.“SheandAngelaregoing

toFijiforamonth,”MayorMarshatoldhim.“SotheSproutswillneedsomeonetotemporarilytakeoverthegrove.Iimmediatelythoughtofyoutwo.”Kennyfeltthewalls

closingin.Noway.Nothim.Hecouldn’tberesponsibleforabunchoflittlegirls.Evenifhehadthetime,whichheprobablydid,hedidn’twanttogetinvolved

thatway.Itwastooclose.Toopersonal.PlusthemayorhadsaidhimandBailey.Hecouldn’tworkwithher.Notupclose.Shewastoosexyanddesirable.“I’dloveto,”Baileysaid

quickly.ShesmiledatKenny,thenturnedbacktothemayor.“It’sagreatidea.ThisisonlyChloe’ssecondChristmaswithoutherfather.Lastyearwassohardonher.

Iwasworriedhowshewouldhandletheholidays.Ithinkfocusingoncollectingtoysforneedychildrenwillhelpherseethejoyintheseason.”Kennysworesilently.

Totallytemptingandnicetoboot.Wasn’tthathisluck?Howwashesupposedtosaynonow?Hewouldlooklikeajerk.Plus,helikedChloe.Hedidn’twanthersadoverChristmas.Hebelievedin

self-preservationbutnotinbeingajerk.“Excellent.”Themayor

handedthemeachafolder.“Herearetheapprovedcollectionsites.Thegirlswilleachneedtodecorateabinandthenthebinswillneedtobeemptiedregularly.ThetoydrivewillstarttheSaturdayafterThanksgiving.Thatgivesyoutimetoorganizethedecoratingandplacingofthe

bins.ThetoyswillbedeliveredtoSacramentoonthenineteenthofDecember.They’llbedistributedthatweekend.”Shegaveafewmore

instructions,thenthankedthembothforagreeingtohelp.ItwasonlywhenKennyfoundhimselfoutsidetheofficethatherealizedhe’dneveragreedatall.Notthathewasgoingtomentionthat

now.Hesatinthevisitor’schair

atBailey’sdeskandopenedhisfolder.Theneatlyprintedsheetsdetailedeverythingthathadtobedone.“Iknowwherewecanget

acargotrailer,”Baileywassaying.“MayorMarshahadmemakesureitwasavailablebutIdidn’tknowwhyuntilnow.”Hewashavingtrouble

takingitallin,andsittingthisclosetoBaileydidn’thelp.Onceagainhecouldinhalethescentofsomethingalittlefloral,alittlegirlie,anditdidn’tmakethinkinganyeasier.“Acargotrailerwilltakea

lotoftoys,”hesaid.“Thetownwillcome

through,”Baileysaidconfidently.“Okay,soIseewherewepickuptheempty

bins.We’llneedtoarrangetodecoratethem.IfthedrivestartstheSaturdayafterThanksgiving,weshoulddecoratetheSaturdaybefore.Doesthatworkforyou?”Shelookedupathimand

hefoundhimselfgettinglostinherbiggreeneyes.“Ineversaidyes,”hetold

her,knowinghesoundedlikeanidiot.Hermouthtwitched.

“Don’tletthatworryyou.MayorMarshadoesthattopeople.Unlessyouwanttogotellherno.”“Notreally.”“Ididn’tthinkso.”She

lightlyputherhandonhisforearm.“It’llbefun.”Herfingerswerelongand

slenderandhecouldfeeltheheatthroughhisshirt.Therewerealotofwordsforspendingthenextmonthorso

workingwithBaileyonthetoydrive,buthewasn’tsurefunwasgoingtobeoneofthem.Torturewasmorelikely.“I,ah,haveabigSUV,”he

saidafterclearinghisthroat.“Icanuseittoemptythebins.”“Great.”Shepulledher

armback.“We’llgetascheduletogether.DiscussitwiththegirlsattheFWM

meeting.Theycansignuptheirparentstohelpwiththat,too.”“There’sameeting?”he

asked.Shenodded.“We’reboth

goingtohavetobethere.IknowmostofthegirlsbecauseofChloe,butthey’llhavetomeetyouandwe’lldiscusssuppliesfordecorating.”Herglossylipscurvedintoanothersmile.“I

can’twait.”“Me,either,”helied,

thinkingitwouldhavebeensomucheasiertotakeontheflyingmonkeys.

***

KENNYWALKEDINTOTaryn’sofficeandstalkedovertoherdesk.“Youhavealottoanswerfor,”heannounced,doinghisbesttolook

intimidating.Unfortunatelyforhim,

TarynhadspentthepastfewyearsdealingwiththreeformerNFLplayersandnotmuchgottoher.Insteadoflookingnervousorevenguilty,shesimplyraisedhereyebrowsandwaited.“YouandAngelare

bailing,”hetoldher,histoneaccusing.“OnyourSprouts.There’satoydriveandIgot

hauledintothewholething.”“Whatareyoutalking

about?Howdidyouknowaboutourtrip?WejustdecidedacoupleofdaysagotospendamonthinFiji.Wehaven’ttoldanyoneyet.”“SomeonetoldMayor

Marsha.Ijustgotbackfromameetingwithher.I’mgoingtobeworkingwithBaileyVossonthetoydrive.It’snotlikeIcouldsayno.”

Taryn’smouthtwitched,butitwasn’tnearlyassexyasithadbeenonBailey.BecauseheknewTarynwaslaughingathimratherthanwithhim.“It’snotfunny,”he

grumbled.“Itkindofis.”Sherose

andwalkedaroundherdesktowardhim.Asusualsheworesome

fancydesigner-suitthingand

wasbarefoot.Becausesheworestupidshoesthatweretoohightowalkinallday.Sheputherhandsonhischestandstaredintohiseyes.“Thankyouforhelpingmy

Sproutswiththetoydrive.”“Youoweme.”“Ido.Idon’tknowhow

MayorMarshafoundout,butshedidandyou’reareallygoodguyforsteppingin.”Hemadeagrowlingsound

inhisthroat.Nowayshecouldmollifyhimwithafewcompliments.Hewastougherthanthat.Shesmiled.“Seriously.It

meansalottome.ThosearemygirlsandIwantthemtohaveagoodholiday.”Heshookoffhertouchand

glowered.“IsaidI’ddoit,okay?Youdon’thavetoconvinceme.”“No,butIwouldlikeitif

you’datleastpretenditmightbefun.Unless...”Thehumorfledhervioleteyesandworryreplacedit.“Oh,Kenny,Ididn’tthink.Isthisgoingtobetoohardforyou?IcanaskJackorSam.”Kennywassuretheirother

twopartnerswouldagree.Andwhilethatwouldfreeuphistime,hewasn’tonetowalkawayfromsomethinghe’dalreadysaidhewould

do.“I’mfine,”hetoldher.

“Baileyhasthedetailsfiguredout.It’stheholidays,right?Icanhelpkidswhoneedtoys.”Tarynwasn’tfooled.She

continuedtostudyhim.“Iworryaboutyou.Youneedsomebodyinyourlife.”Sheheldupahandtostophimfromtalking.“Notjustfriends,butsomeonespecial.

Someonetofallinlovewith.”“I’mfine.”Thetruth,he

thought.Hewascompletelyfine.Asforfallinginlove—well,hewantedthat,too.Butsofarithadn’thappened.Helikedwomenbuthehadn’tfoundtheone.Whenhedid...hewouldbeallin.Aslongasshedidn’thavekids.Thatwashisonlycaveat.Nosinglemoms.Noexceptions.“Iwantyoutobemore

thanfine,”Taryntoldhim.“Iwantyoutobehappy.”“Iwillbe.”Oneday,hethought

longingly.Becausetherewassomeoneforeveryone.Evenaguylikehim.

CHAPTERTWO

THEFWMMEETINGSwerealotlouderthanKennywouldhaveguessed.Heknewthattherewereonlyeightseven-year-oldgirlsintheroom,butitseemedlikethereweremore.Ofcourseallthegirlshadbroughtatleastoneparent.AddingtheGroveKeepersalongwithhim,that

wasafairnumberofpeopleinasmallishspace.Hekepttothebackofthe

room,carefulnottomakeeyecontactwiththemothers.Thedadshecouldhandle.Theywouldeitherwanttotalkaboutagametheyrememberedortrytoprovethathishavingplayedproballdidn’tmeananything.Hecouldhandlethat,noproblem.

Themothersmadehimmorenervous.Hedidn’tmindtheoneswhosaidtheirsonswantedtoplay.Itwasthewomenwholookedathimthewayahungrycatwatchesagoldfishthatmadehimglancelonginglytowardtheexit.He’dbeenpropositionedplentyoftimes.Forsomepeople,aweddingringwasanaccessory,notacommitment.Hedidn’tfeel

thatway.Whilehewasgoodat

shuttingdowntheladyinquestion,therewasalwaystheriskofhurtfeelings.Orahusbandfeelinghehadsomethingtoprove.Kennywasn’tinthemoodforeither.Bettertoavoidtheproblemcompletely.Hekepthisattentionon

AngelandTaryn,whoranthemeetingliketheexpertsthey

were.Whenhefelttheneedtolookatsomethingmoreappealing,helethisgazedriftovertoBailey.Nowapropositionfromherwouldbemostwelcome.ThenherememberedChloeandknewhewastotallyscrewed.Angel,atalldark-haired

manwithgrayeyesandanairofdangerabouthim,explainedaboutthetoydrive.TheSproutsdidn’tseemto

carethattheirGroveKeeperwasaformerspecialopsguywithascaronhisnecklikesomeonehadtriedtoslithisthroat.Kennywouldguessthatdayhadn’tendedwellfortheotherguy.Tarynstoodbyher

husbandandsmiled.“YouallknowBailey—Chloe’smom.She’sgoingtobehelpingwiththetoydriveserviceproject.Butit’sabigjob,so

wehavesomeoneelsejoiningthegroveforthenextfewweeks.MyfriendKennyScott.”Kennywavedfromhis

placebythewall.Afewofthegirlswavedback.HesawChloelookingathimandhewinkedather.Shegiggled.Maybehewaslookingat

thisallwrong,hetoldhimself.Sure,hehadhisrulesforhisdatinglife,butthis

wasn’tthat.Hecouldhelpthegirlswiththeirserviceproject,enjoytheholidayseasonandwalkawaywithoutworryingthathe’dgottentooinvolved.Thatmadeitawin-winforeveryone.Heacknowledgedthatat

somepointhewasgoingtohavetodealwiththefactthatholdinghimselfapartfromnearlyeveryonewasn’tthe

bestidea.Butnotapsychologicalhurdlehehadtodealwithtoday.Tarynexplainedhowthe

binswouldhavetobedecoratedandwhenthatwouldhappen.Shealsopointedtothesign-upsheetsonthewall.“Parents,thisiswhereyou

comein.We’regoingtoneedallthebinsemptiedeveryday.TheneitherKennyor

Baileywillmeetyouatthetrailersothepresentscanbesecured.Anyquestions?”TarynandAngelfielded

thequestions.Acoupleoftheparentswalkedovertothesign-upsheetsandwrotetheirnames.Kennywonderedifitwastooearlyforhimtoduckout.Beforehecoulddecide,Baileywalkedtowardhim.Todayshehadonafluffy

sweaterandtightjeans.Both

madehismouthgodry.Herhairwaspulledbackinaponytailandshewasn’twearinganymakeup.Shelookedgreat.Shebitherlowerlipasshe

glancedathim.“Um,I’dliketoaskyousomething,”shemurmured.“Ifyouhaveasecond.”Didshewanttocometo

hisplaceforthenight?Becausehisanswertothat

wasabig,fatyes.Butsomehowhedoubtedthatwaswhatshewasthinking.Shedrewinabreath.

“Okay,soI’mbuyingahouse.It’ssostrangetothinkIcanafforditandsomenightsIworrythatIcan’t.”Shepausedandshookherhead.“Sorry.Theramblingwasn’tsupposedtobepartofthequestion.”“Noproblem.

Congratulationsonthehouse.”“Thanks.It’smyfirst.The

inspectionistomorrow.”Shetuckedherhandsinto

herjeans’backpockets,whichmadehercheststickoutmore.Heheldinagroan.Seriously,shewaskillinghim.“I,ah,don’tknowwhat

happensatahouseinspection.OrwhatI’m

supposedtoask.Iwasgoingtogobymyself,butnowI’mworriedI’llmisssomethingimportant.Wouldyoumindcomingwithme?”Ittookhimasecondto

stoplookingatherbodylongenoughtorealizetherewasaquestioninallthewords.“Sure,”hetoldher.“I’m

happytobethere.”Sherelaxed.Unfortunately

thatmeantshepulledher

handsoutofherpockets,butnothinglastedforever.“Really?Thatwouldbeso

great.”“Tellmewhenandwhere

andI’llbethere.”Sherattledoffatimeand

address.Heenteredbothintohisphone’scalendar.“Itwon’tbedifficult,”he

toldher.“Theinspector’sonyourside.Heorshewantsyoutoknowwhatyou’re

buying.”“That’swhatmyagenttold

me,butit’sstillalittlescary.I’llfeelbetterhavingyoualong.”Oneofthemothers

claimedBailey’sattention.Kennystoodinthebackoftheroomfeelingasifhecouldtakeonawholedefensivelinebyhimself.Yup,hewastheman.

***

BAILEYSPENTHERmorningalternatingbetweenworryingaboutwhyonearthshe’daskedKennyScotttojoinherforherhouseinspectionandbeingincrediblygratefulthathewasgoingtobealong.Therewasjustsomethingaboutbeingaroundhimthatmadeherfeel...safe.Asifheknewwhathewasdoing.A

ridiculousassumption,sheremindedherself.Themanwasaformerprofessionalfootballplayer.Whywouldheknowanythingabouthouses?Butaskhimshehadand

shewasgratefulhe’dagreedtojoinher.Despitethefactthatherlatehusbandhadbeendeployedduringtheirmarriageandgonefornearlytwoyears,therewerestill

somethingsshefoundhardtodoalone.Thehousewasinanolder

partofFool’sGold.Theneighborhoodwaswell-established,withanicemixofresidents.Youngfamilieswerebuyinghomesandrefurbishing,whileoldercouplesstilllivedintheplaceswheretheirkidshadgrownup.Bailey’shouse-to-bewas

twostorieswithalargefrontporch.Therewasasmallyardinfrontandabigoneinback,adetachedgarageandanunfinishedbasement.Whiletheoneandahalf

bathroomshadn’tbeenremodeledinawhile,theroofwasnewandthekitchen’sapplianceswereyoungerthanherdaughter.Allpluses.BaileyfiguredsheandChloecouldlivewiththeoversized

tubandtwo-tonepinktileinthebathroomsaloteasierthantheycouldhandlealeakyroof.Baileyhadlovedthehouse

fromthemomentshe’dsteppedfootinsideofit.Itwasn’thuge.TherewereonlytwobedroomsupstairsandabonusareathatChloecoulduseasaplayroom.DownstairstherewasatinyofficeforBailey,adecent-

sizelivingroomandtheeat-inkitchen.Therewerelotsofwindows,bigtreesinthebackyardandbeautifulhardwoodfloorsthroughout.Whathadmostappealed,

asidefromthereasonableprice,wasthesenseofrightnessshefeltwhenshe’dfirstseenit.Despitethefactthatthehousewasempty,she’dbeenabletoseeherselfandChloelivingherefora

longtime.Therehadbeenothercontenders—largerhomesthatwerealittlenewer.Butwithallthatspaceandshininesscameaheftiermortgage.Todaywasherdayofreckoning,whenshefoundoutifherhome,barelyinescrow,wouldpassitsinspection.Sheheardtherumbleofa

powerfulengineandturnedtoseeKennypullingupinfront

ofthehouse.HedrovealargeMercedesSUV.Shewassureitcostabouthalfofwhatherhousedid,butthenhecouldaffordit.Itmustbenicenottohave

toclipcouponsandsaveforthingslikewintertiresandunexpectedrepairbills.Inhernextlife,shethoughtwithasmile.Shewouldremembertoberich.KennygotoutofhisSUV

andstartedtowardher.Thesunhadbeenplayingpeek-a-boowithsomeclouds,butobviouslysharedherfascinationwiththeman.Itslippedintoviewandcastwarm,goldenlightontheobjectofitsaffection.Kenny’shairgleamed,hissmilewaseasyandBaileyfeltherheartgivealittlejumpofappreciation.Evenifhedidn’tknow

anythingaboutconstructionorhousesorthedifferencebetweenascrewdriverandawrench,hewouldbeanicedistractionifshestartedtofreakout,sheremindedherself.“Nicehouse,”Kennysaid

asheapproached.“Thanks.”Shewaiteduntil

hestoppedinfrontofher.“So,doyouknowanythingabouthouses?”

Hegrinned.“RegrettingyourimpulsiverequestIbehere?”“Notatall.Justwondering

ifmyassumptionsarecorrect.”“ThatbecauseI’maguy,I

knowsomethingaboutelectricityandplumbing?”“Um,yeah.Thatwouldbe

it.”Heputhisarmaroundher

andturnedhertowardthe

house.“Iammorethanaprettyface.GrowingupIhelpedmydadwithallkindsofprojects.Icanlaytile,replacealightfixtureandrepairmostplumbingleaks.”“Goodtoknow.”Thewordssoundedso

normal,shethought.Butontheinside,therewasquiveringandshrieking.MostlybecauseofhowcloseshewastoKennyandhow

warmhisarmwasaroundherbody.Hemadeherfeelsmallanddelicate.Likeanordinarywoman,asopposedtothewidowandsinglemomshe’dbeenforthepastcoupleofyears.Beforeshecoulddomuch

morethanbreatheinthescentofhimandindulgeinalittlePG-13make-outfantasy,asmallpickupdroveintoherdriveway.Baileyrecognized

thenameoftheinspectorherrealestateagenthadsuggested.AllthoughtsofKennyfledastheenormityofwhatshewasdoingcrashedinonher.“Iwantittobeperfect,”

sheadmittedinawhisper.“Bewillingtosettlefor

sound,”Kennyadvised.“Everythingelseisabonus.”Goodadvice,shethought

asshewalkedovertomeet

herinspector.PaulJenningswasamanin

hisfifties.Hewaspleasant,butseemedmoreinterestedinthehousethanmakingsmalltalk.Hehadalargerollingtoolboxwithhimandbegantheinspectionbywalkingaroundtheoutsideofthehouse.“Westartfromtheground

up,”Mr.Jenningstoldher.“Foundationtoroof.I’lltell

youwhatIfindasIgo,thengetyouawrittenreportviaemailbythistimetomorrow.ButbeforeIleave,you’llalreadyknoweverythingI’vefound.”“Iappreciatethat,”shetold

him.“Thenlet’sgetstarted.”ThreehourslaterBailey

knewmoreaboutthehouseshewantedtobuythanshe’deverknownaboutanyother

buildinginherlife.Evenbetter,shewascomfortablewithherdecision.Therewereacoupleofsmallproblems.ThechimneyneededtobecleanedbeforesheandChloecoulduseit,therewerethreeelectricaloutletsthatdidn’tworkandthefaucetthatconnectedthewatertothewasherhadlostitsturnything.Asmalllistofeasyrepairs,

shethoughtastheoldermandroveaway.Therehadn’tbeenanyroofleaks,thebasementwasdryandthefurnaceputoutplentyofheat.Evenbetterwastheseriesofstickersonthesideofit,showingthatithadbeenservicedregularly.“Feelingbetter?”Kenny

askedastheysteppedbackinside.Shenodded.“Thankyouso

much.Youweregreat.”Hehadbeen.He’dlether

takethelead,buthadstayedclosebyandaskedplentyofsensiblequestions.He’dinsistedshegointotheatticherselftoseeintothedeepcornerssosheunderstoodabouttheinsulationandventing.Becauseofhimshenowknewwherethewaterandgasshutoffswere.“AssoonasIgetthe

inspectionreport,I’llcontactmyrealestateagent,”shesaid.“We’llgetalisttotheseller.”“Don’tforgetaboutthe

chimneycleaning,”hetoldher.“Iwon’t.”Sheglancedat

thebigfireplace.“I’mgoingtohavetoreadanarticleonhowtobuildafire.There’saspecialway,right?Withtwigsandregularwood?”

Kennysighed.“It’skindlingandI’llshowyou.”“Youknowhowtobuilda

fire?”“I’mamanofmany

talents.”Hisvoicewasteasingand

maybealittlesexy.WhileBaileyappreciatedthethrillofhercrush,rightnowpracticalKennywasevenmoreappealing.“I’dlikeyoutoteachme,”

shetoldhim.“Iwonderifthelocalhardwarestorehasclassesonbasichomerepairs.Idon’twanttobeoneofthosewomenwhohasahouseanddoesn’tknowhowtodoanything.Ishouldbeabletolearn,right?”“It’snothard.Therearea

coupleofreallygoodbooksonthesubject.I’llgetoneforyou.”Hewinked.“Alongwithasetofpinktools.”

Shelaughed.“I’dlovepinktools.Oneofmyfavoritemysterybookshasaheroinewithpinktools.”Theywanderedintothekitchen.Mr.Jenningshadcheckedalltheappliancesalongwiththedrains.“Myexpertiseismorecosmetic.Icanpatchandpaintwiththebestofthem,butanythingbehindthewallsmakesmenervous.”“Whatdoyouwanttodo

beforeyoumovein?”heasked.“Theusual.Clean,paint.”

Shesetherlargetotebagonthecounterandpulledoutafolder.“ChloeandIhavebeenpickingoutpaintcolors.”Shefannedthesquaresontothecounter.“UsuallyI’mabigbelieverinpaintingasampleonthewall,butthesellerprobablywouldn’tlikethat.I’vetalked

toafewfriendsandthey’reopentoacoupleofdaysofhelpingmeout.TheplanistocloseonThursday,thenstarttheintensivepatchingandsandingonFriday.We’llbepaintingbySaturday.ThemovewillbeTuesday.”“Awell-oiledmachine.”“Ihope.Youknowwhat

canhappenwhenyoumakeplans.”Shepointedtothepalelavendersample.“That’s

theoneChloewantsforherroom.Ithinkitwillbereallypretty.”“She’sgettingtheroom

withthedormerwindows?”heasked.“Right,withthelittlebuilt-

indeskbetweenthem.Ithinkingagoodsandingwillworkwonders.”“You’reright.Thewoodis

pine.Thenaniceclearfinish,maybecoveritwithathick

pieceofglass.”Shesmiledupathim.

“That’swhatIwasthinking,”sheadmitted.“Iwanttogetheranewbedroomset.She’salwayshadhand-me-downs.I’vebeensavingandI’vepickedoutacouplethatwouldbegreatforher.I’mtornbetweenlettingherinonwhatIhaveplannedandkeepingitasecret.”“Letherbesurprised.

She’lllikewhateveryouget.”“Youthink?”sheasked

eagerly.“Iwanthertolovethehouse.We’vealwayslivedinapartments.WillandIneverhadthemoneyforadownpayment.Iwouldn’thaveitnowexceptthere’saspecialprogramthatgrantsmoneytopeoplewhowouldn’totherwisequalify.MayorMarshahelpedmeapplyandwrotea

recommendation.”ShetoldherselfKenny

couldn’tpossiblybeinterestedinherpersonalfinances,butshecouldn’tseemtostoptalking.“Iknowit’sagreatopportunity.I’vealwayswantedtoownahouse.Nothingfancy,justourownhome.”Aplacetobesafe,shethoughtwistfully.“Makessense,”hetoldher.

“I’mgladyou’regettingthis

place.Letmeknowifyouwantaguy’sopiniononthefurniture.”“You’dgowithme?”“Sure.Soundslikefun.”Hewasbeingnice.Nice

wasmuchmoredangerousthanhandsome,shethought.Nicewasreal.Nicecouldmakeherwantmorethanacrush.Notpossible,shetold

herselffirmly.Forallshe

knew,shewasKenny’sgooddeedfortheseason.Shehadtorememberthatshewasanotthekindofwomanafamousformerjock,whowasalsowealthyandsuccessfulinhisbusinesslife,wouldbeinterestedin.Heprobablydatedsupermodelsoractresses.Orboth.“ShouldIwarnyouthat

seven-year-oldgirlsgenerallyadoreallthingsprincess?”

sheaskedteasinglyastheywalkedtowardthefrontdoor.“Iwouldexpectnoless.”

CHAPTERTHREE

WITHTARYNOUToftownforamonth,theresponsibilityofrunningtheofficesofScorefelltoKenny.Hedidn’tmindpickinguptheslack.Whiletheday-to-dayminutiawasn’thisfavorite,hecouldhandleitonashort-termbasis.

Sam’sdepartmenttookcareofthecashflowandpayrollandthevacationswerealreadyscheduledsoKennyfiguredhewasinforaneasytime.Helookedoverthemaster

calendarfortheirclients.Thereweren’tanybigpresentationsdueinDecemberandalltheadvertisinghadalreadybeenscheduled.Thecompany

wouldbeclosedfromtheWednesdaybeforeThanksgivinguntiltheSundayafter,thenforcoupleofweekdaysbeforeChristmasandNewYear’s.Easyduty,hethought,clickingonthepartners’privatecalendar.HesawTarynwasoutfor

herhoneymoonwithAngel.ShewouldmissThanksgivingbutbebackbeforeChristmas.

JackandLarissawereheadingtoLosAngelesforThanksgiving,tobewithLarissa’sfamily.HefrownedasherealizedSamwouldalsobeoutoftowninlateNovember.HeandDellinaweregoingtoLakeTahoewithDellina’stwosistersandtheirhusbands.WhichleftKennyonhisownfortheholiday.Heleanedbackinhis

chair.Hisownfamilywasmostlybackeast.HismomworkedfortheStateDepartmentandwasinD.C.HissisterswereinNewYork.Hecouldeasilygotoeitherplaceandbewelcome,butwasn’tenthusedabouttheidea.ForChristmastheywereallflyingtoBali.Exoticlocationswereafamilytradition.Butforonce,hewassayingno.Hewantedto

stickaroundFool’sGold.Seethesnowandthefestivals.Plushehadhisresponsibilitieswiththetoydrive.Hiscellphonerangandhe

glancedatthescreen.Speakingofresponsibilities,hethoughtasBailey’snamecameup.“Hey.”“Hi.It’sBailey.The

collectionbinshavebeen

delivered.I’veconfirmedallthesupplieswe’regoingtoneedandwonderedifyouwouldn’tmindpickingthemup.”“Notatall.Wherearethe

bins?”“Theconventioncenter.

Theyhavesomespacethatisn’tbeingused,soIparkedthemthere.Itwillbeeasyaccessforourdecoratingandplentyofparking.We’reat

thenorthentrance.Therearesigns.”Shealsotoldhimwheretopickupthesuppliesforsprucingthebins.“I’mwritingitdown,”he

toldherashetypedtheinformationintohiscalendar.“We’redeliveringthedecoratedcontainerstheFridayafterThanksgiving?”“That’stheplan.Oh,are

youaround?Ididn’tthinktoaskifyou’dbetraveling.”

“I’mnot.”Therewasapause,asif

shewerethinking.“Okay.Great.BecauseIthoughtyoumightbewithfamily.Or,youknow,agirlfriend.”Heleanedbackinhischair

andgrinned.Anotverysubtleattempttoextractinformation.“There’snogirlfriend.AndI’mstayingintownfortheholiday.”“Good,”shesaid.The

singlewordwasfollowedbyaquickintakeofair.Asifshewasconcernedhewouldthinkthe“good”referredtohissinglestate.“I,ah,meantIappreciate

yourhelp.Withthebinsandall.Idon’tthinkIcouldhavefittheminmycarorcarriedthemintothedifferentstores.AndwithSamandJackbothoutoftown,I’mnotsurewhoIwouldhaveasked....”She

pausedagain.“Kenny,allyourfriendsaregoingtobegone.WhereareyouhavingThanksgivingdinner?”Theprevioustopichad

beenawholelotmoreinterestingtohim.WasitpossiblehemadeBaileynervous?Betterandbetter,hethought,beforeturningtoherquestion.“Idon’thaveanyplans.”“Youcan’tbealone,”she

toldhim.“You’rewelcometojoinChloeandme.We’replanningtogototheparadeandthenhaveaprettytraditionaldinner.Nothingfancy.”Hewasn’tinterestedin

fancy.Itwashighlyoverrated.Hethoughtaboutthebeautifulredheadandheradorabledaughterandrealizedtheinvitationwassomethinghecouldputonhis

listtobethankfulfor.“I’dlikethatalot,”hetold

her.“Really?Imeangood.The

paradeisatnoon.We’llbewalkingoverabouteleven-thirty,ifyouwanttojoinus.Orafter.”Hesmiled.“I’llbethereat

eleven-thirty.I’llbringpie.”“Youdon’thaveto.”“Iwantto.I’mlooking

forwardtotheday.”

“Me,too.”

***

THEFOOL’SGOLDconventioncenterwasanolderbuildingthatlackedmuchinthewayofarchitecturaldetail.ButitserveditspurposeandrightnowthatwaswaymoreimportanttoBaileythananythinginthewayofvisualinterest.

ShehadeightSprouts,eightcollectionbins,plentyinthewayofpaint,markers,glitterandglue,andmillingadultstocorral.Thebinsthemselveswere

round,aboutfourfeettallandwideenoughtotakeatricycle.Theoutsideswereastiffcardboard.Cleanbutnotveryholiday-like.Thatwasgoingtochange.“Bigcrowd,”Kennysaid

ashewalkeduptoher.“Ithoughtwe’dgetafewparents,butthatwasit.Therehavetobeatleastthirtypeoplehere.”“Iputthewordout,”she

said,tryingtoappearbothpleasantandcasualwithoutgivingawayhowherbodyhadgoneintohyperalert.Hewassotall,shethoughtdreamily.Sohandsome.Sonice.

Thelatterwasthemostdangerous.Becausewhilehisphysicalappealwasexciting,thatkindofacrushwouldn’tlast.Ifhe’dbeenajerkorarrogantortheleastbitannoying,shecouldhavedismissedhisblueeyesoreasysmile.Butthenicenesswastherealproblem.ThemoreshegottoknowKenny,themoreshelikedhim.He’dbeenincrediblyhelpful

duringtheinspectionandnowhewasheretohelptheSproutswiththeirbins.Ifthemanrescuedakittenfromatree,shewasgoingtobeagoner.“Peoplejustshowedup?”

heasked.“Yousoundsurprised.

You’rehere.”Hegaveherthatslow

smileofhis.“Ihadnochoice.MayorMarshaterrifiesme.”

“Idoubtthat.”Sheglancedatherwatch.“Timetogetserious.YouwanttotakechargeorshouldI?”Thesmilewidened.“Ilike

awomanincharge.Goforit.”Baileytoldherselfnotto

readtoomuchintohisteasingcommentasshewalkedtothefrontofthelargeconferenceroomshe’dchosenforthedecorating.

“Goodmorning,”shesaidloudly.Theconversationstilledas

everyoneturnedtowardher.“Thankssomuchfor

coming.Ourgoalthismorningistodecorateourcollectionbinsforthetoydrive.There’sonebinforeachSprout.We’dlikethebinstoreflecttheindividualSprout’spersonalityandfamilytraditionsforthe

holidays.”Shewentontoexplain

aboutthesuppliesandthenbrokeeveryoneintogroups.Therewasamadrushforpaint,glueandglitter.Gideon,alocallatenightDJ,strolledinwithaportablemusicsystem.“MindifIsetup?”he

asked.“I’dloveit,”shetoldhim.Kennywalkeduptoher.

“SowhatamIsupposedtodo?”heasked.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutdecoratingacollectionbin.”“It’sokay.We’rejusthere

tosupervise.Makesurenoonegoeswildwiththegluesticks.OryoucanhelpChloe.”Shepointedtothesmall

grouparoundherdaughter.Madeline,whoworkedatthetown’sbridalboutique,had

offeredtobeChloe’ssubstitutemomfortheday.Baileyhadbeenconcernedthatifshewassupposedtoberunningtheevent,shewouldn’tbeabletohelpChloeverymuch.She’dgratefullyacceptedtheofferofhelp.Kennylookedaroundthe

largeopenspace,thennoddedtowardChloe.“I’llbeoverthere.”

“Hidingout?”sheasked,hervoiceteasing.“Youknowit.”Shewatchedhimgo.He

wasagoodguy,shethoughtwistfully.Beforeshecouldallowherthoughtstodrifttomoreplacestheyshouldn’t,musicfilledtheroom.Gideonhadbroughtacollectionofupbeatholidaycarolsthatsoonhadeveryonesingingwhiletheyworked.

BaileywalkedtoeachoftheSprouts.AllisonandherfamilyandfriendshadcomepreparedwithbeautifulprintoutsofRussiannestingdolls.“We’regoingtodecorate

thebackground,thenglueonthepicturesofthedolls,”Allisontoldher.“We’llputclearvarnishoverthetop.”“Ilikeit,”Baileysaid.ShenoticedAllison’smom

hadonaprettybeadedbracelet.ForasecondshethoughtitwasanadultversionofthebraceletstheSproutswore—onewithbeadstheyearnedforvariousprojects.Allison’smomsawher

studyingthepieceandheldoutherwrist.“Isn’titwonderful?Thebeadsrepresentallthecolorsofcancerawareness.”She

smiledatherhusband.“Itwasagiftformybirthday.”Themaninquestion

smiledback.“You’dbeenhintingyouwanteditforweeks.Don’tgivemetoomuchcredit.”Theylaughedtogether.Baileynoddedandmoved

tothenextgroup.Butbeforeshegotthere,sheglancedbackatthecouplewhohadpausedforaquickhug.

Theirintimacy,theirobviousloveforeachother,gaveherafunnyfeelinginherstomach.Longing,shedecided.Shewantedwhattheyhad.Shewantedtofallinloveandstayinlovefortherestofherlife.Ifanyofherfriendsknew

thatwaswhatshesecretlylongedfor,theywouldbesurprised.Afterall,she’dbeenmarried.Happily—orso

ithadappearedontheoutside.Butnotinherheart,shethought.Willhadbeenaterrificguy...justnotforher.Theirshadn’tbeenabad

marriage.Justnotspecial.Maybethey’dmarriedtooyoung.Maybethey’dgrownapartbecauseofhisfrequentdeployments.Therecouldbeathousandreasons.Heronlyhopewasthathe’dneverfiguredoutthatshewasn’t

happy.

***

THANKSGIVINGMORNINGDAWNEDclearandcold.Baileywasupearly—inparttopreparetheturkeyandstuffing,butmostlybecauseshecouldn’tsleep.Shewasgoingtospendthe

entiredaywithKenny.Therealizationmadeherfeellike

shewassixteenagainandhadamadcrushon...Shestoppedapplyinghermascarasoshecouldlaughwithoutpokingherselfintheeye.Becausetheclichéthathadcometomindwasamadcrushonthefootballcaptain.AndshewouldbetthatKennyhadbeenjustthat.Hewasthekindofguywhowouldtakechargeoftheteamandleadthemtothechampionship.

Notthatshewouldhavebeentheretoseeit,sheremindedherselfassheleanedintothemirrorandcontinuedapplyinghermakeup.Shewouldhavebeenworkingasmanyhoursasshecouldmanage.Therehadn’tbeentimeforthingslikefootballgames.Itwasn’tgoingtobelike

thatforChloe,shetoldherself.Chloewasgrowing

upinacommunitywheresheconnectedwithpeople.Baileywantedherdaughtertofeelsafeandstrong.Likeshecoulddoanything.Bailey’sgrandmotherhad

beenwillingtotakeinheronlygranddaughterwhenherowndaughterhadskippedtown.Theolderwomanhadbeenlovingbutfirm.Themessagewasclear.Baileywasexpectedtotakecareof

herselfstartingthedaysheturnedeighteen.Tothatend,Baileyhadputasideherdreamsofacollegeeducationandhadinsteadfocusedonafter-schooljobsandlearnedtobeanadultasearlyaspossible.Itwasn’tuntilyearslaterthatshe’dsavedenoughtogotocommunitycollege.Shesupposedthelessons

hadservedherwell.Whileshe’dhadtoadjustwhenWill

died,she’dknownthatevenifshedidn’talwaysfeelcapable,shehadtheskillsettosurvive.Sheputawayhermakeup

andtidiedthesmallbathroom.Itwastheonlyoneintheapartmentandtheyweregoingtohavecompany.Shepausedtotakeinthepink-and-goldplasticshowercurtain,theprincess-printedtowelsChloelovedandthe

turkey-shapedliquidsoapdispenseronthesmallvanity.ProbablynotanythingamanlikeKennywasusedto.Shewalkedintoher

bedroomanddressed.Whilethethoughtofgettingallfancyandsexyfortheirvisitorwasfun,itsimplywasn’tgoingtohappen.Foronething,shewasn’tthesexytype.Foranother,shedidn’tactuallyownanythingthatfit

thatcategory.Shewasasinglemomwhoworkedforthemayor.Herclotheswereeithercasualorforbusiness.Therewasn’troomformuchelseinherlife.Shedidn’tdate,sotherewasnoLBDinthebackofhercloset.Shedidhaveonanicepair

ofdarkwashjeansandadeepbrownsweaterwithflecksofgoldandgreenintheweave.Thecottonblendwasjust

thickenoughtobewarmbutnotsoheavyastoaddbulk.Shethoughtmaybethecolorsweregoodforhercomplexionandbroughtoutthegreeninhereyes.Ofcoursewhileshewascookingshewouldbewearinganapronwithaturkeyonit.Notexactlyapatterndesignedtobringamantohisknees.Baileysteppedinfrontof

herdresserandstartedtotake

outthehotrollers.Shewasdeterminedtohaveprettywavesinherhair.Itwasthebestshecoulddo.NotthatKennywouldnoticeanythingmorethanthefactthattheywerefriendsandhelikedherkid.Shewasclearonthat.Anycrusheswentstrictlyoneway.Butthatwasfinebecausehergiddinesswasenoughfortwo.Therestofthemorning

passedinablur.ChloegotupandateherbreakfastwhileBaileygotthestuffingtogether.Thescentofsautéingonionsandceleryfilledthesmallkitchen.Theturkeywasalreadyoutoftherefrigeratorandintheroastingpan.She’dmadethesweet

potatocasserolethenightbefore.Itonlyhadtobereheated,whichwould

happenaftertheturkeyhadcomeoutoftheovenandwasresting.Thepotatoeswerepeeledandsittinginwater.She’dpreparedthebroccoliforthesteamer.Allthatwasleftwasforhertomakeherfamouscheesebiscuitsandshewoulddothataftertheparade.Theyonlytooktwentyminutes,whichmeanttheywouldsharespacewiththesweetpotatocasserole.

ShewouldmakegravywhileKennycarvedand,withluck,theywouldsitdowntoaperfectdinner.Orjustagoodone,shethoughthappily.Becauseperfectwasseriouslyoverrated.She’dalreadysetthetable,

aswell.Thecenterpiecewasasterlingsilverbowlwithacandleinit.Whiletheyweren’tgoingtodecorateforChristmasuntilafterthe

move,she’dputherfavoritegingerbread-mencookiejarontheoldsideboardshe’dpickedupatagaragesalewhenthey’dfirstmovedtotown.“Idon’trememberthe

paradefromlastyear,”Chloetoldherasshecarriedhercerealbowltothesink.“Wewent.”Althoughtheyhadn’t

stayedlong.Chloehadsaid

shewasn’tfeelingwellandBaileyhadbroughtherhome.She’dknownthatwhatwasbotheringherdaughterhadlittletodowithavirusandeverythingtodowiththelossofherfather.Chloehadcomealong

way,Baileythoughtgratefully.Shewouldalwaysmissherdad,butshe’drememberedhowtobehappyagain.Shehadfriends,she

lovedschoolandshewasthriving.Nomothercouldaskformore.“I’mreallyexcitedtoseeit

again,”Chloetoldher.“We’regoingtomeetupwithmyfriends,right?Itoldyouwherethatwas?”Baileysmiled.“Yes,you

did.Aboutfourteentimes.Iknowtheexactcornerwherewe’reallwatchingtheparade.”

BecausetheSproutsweregoingtoviewthefestivitiestogether.BaileyhadafeelingthereweregoingtobeseveralspeculativeglanceswhentheothermotherscaughtsightofKenny.Theirguestarrivedrighton

time.Baileydidherbesttoquellthebutterfliespracticingatwo-stepinhertummy.Shedrewinabreathforstrengthandmaybecouragewhile

Chloeracedacrossthecarpet,yelling,“I’llgetit!I’llgetit!”Herseven-year-oldflung

openthefrontdoorandbeamedatKenny.“Youcame!We’regoingtotheparadeandtheturkey’sintheovenandit’sgoingtobedelicious.Yougettocarve,whichmeansyou’regoingtomaketheslicesforus.”Kennysteppedintothe

livingroom.Hewastalland

broadandthelivingroomseemedsmallerthanusualwithhiminit.Baileyhadthesenseofbeingallthumbsandfeetasshetriedtosmileandgreethim.“Rightontime,”shesaid

withasmile.“Iheardthere’saparade.”“Atnoon,”Chloesaid.Heworealeatherjacket

andascarfaroundhisneck.Inonehandhehadabottleof

whitewineandintheother,thepromisedpie.Onlyshedidn’trecognizethecolorofthebox.She’dassumedhewouldgotoAmbrosiaBakery,buttheirboxeswerewhitewithsilverstripes.Heheldupthewine.“This

shouldgointherefrigerator.”“Sure.”Shemotionedto

thekitchen.Hewalkedinthatdirection

andshefollowed.Oncethere

shetookthewinefromhimandfititintohersmallrefrigerator.Hesetthepieonthecounter.“Wheredidyougetthat?”

sheasked.“Istheresomewherenewintown?”Heraisedbotheyebrows.

“I’mwounded.You’reassumingIboughtit.”Heshruggedoutofhiscoat

ashespoke.Underneathheworeabluesweaterthesame

colorashiseyes.Awhiteshirtpeekedoutfromunderneath.Hehadonjeansandboots.Hewasbigandmasculineandbeingthisclosetohimmadeherthighsalittletrembly.Sheforcedherattention

backtohiswords.“Youbakedapie?”“Uh-huh.”“Notpossible.”“Itis.I’llhaveyouknow

I’manexpertpie-maker.”Kenny?Ruggedly

handsome,footballstarKenny?“Whendidyoulearn?”“WhenIwasakid.We

wereinSwedenandhadahousekeeperwhomadethebestpies.Hercrustwasafamilyrecipe.”Heshrugged.“Iwasherfavoriteandformyninthbirthdayshetaughtmehowtomakeit.Onceyou

havethatdown,therestofthepieiseasy.”Chloescootedclosetohim

andgrinned.“IcanearnacookingbeadwhenI’maSapling.Canyouteachme?”“Surething,munchkin.”HeruffledChloe’shair.Thecombinationofthepet

nameandtheaffectionategesturewasnearlyasbone-meltyastheman’sbighands,Baileythought,awarethat

beingaroundKennywaslikeplayingwithfire.Excitingandultimatelydangerous.Butitwasjustoneday,right?Andaholiday.Didn’teveryonedeservealittlesomethingspecialonThanksgiving?

CHAPTERFOUR

“WEHAVEAspecificcorner,”BaileytoldKennyastheywalkedalongwitheveryoneelseheadingtowardthecenteroftownandtheparade.ChloehadalreadyspottedLaylaandhermomandrunahead.“OnSixthbetweenFrankandKatieLanes.”

“Okay,”hesaideasily.“Why?”“We’remeetingtheother

Sproutsthere.Chloewantstowatchtheparadewithherfriends.”Henodded.“She’sa

bright,outgoinggirl.Iwouldguessshe’spopular.”Baileystaredathim.“What?”heasked.“What

didIsay?”“Nothing,”shesaid,

turningaway,fightingunexpectedtears.“Bailey.”Kennypulledherontoa

drivewayandstaredather.“Areyoucrying?”Sheshookherheadand

sniffed.“No,”shesaidfirmlyasshelookedathim.“You’reright.She’spopular.Shehassleepoversnearlyeveryweekendandfriendscomingbyandparties...”Shestared

athim,hopinghercrushwoulddistractherfromheremotions,butforonceKennywassimplyafriend.“WhenWilldied,shewas

devastated.She’dbeencountingthedaysuntilhegothome.She’dbeensoexcitedtolearntoreadandwritebecauseshewantedtokeepadiaryforherdad.Itwasalistofthingstotellhim.Whathadhappenedtoherinher

day.EverynightIhelpedherwriteasentenceortwososhecouldshareitwithhim.Onlyhenevercameback.”Sherememberedtheshock

forbothofthem.Thepain.Andforher,theguilt.“Shestartednotdoingas

wellinschool.Shewasquietandhadnightmares.Iwassoscaredforher.Itookhertoachildpsychologist,whosaidshewouldcomeoutofit,but

Iwasn’tsure.”Shefelthereyesfillwithtearsagain,andshetriedtoblinkthemaway.“ThenIheardaboutthe

FWM.IsignedupChloeandshebecameanAcorn.”Shebrushedthemoisturefromhercheek.“Sheblossomedandnowmybestgirlisback.I’msograteful.”Kennyclearedhisthroat.

“I’mglad,”hesaid,andthenpulledherclose.

Theembracewasunexpectedandwarmandcomfortingandjustalittleexciting.Baileyletherselfleanagainsthimforasecond.Hewasalottallerthanherandheheldhereasily.Hesmelledgood,too,shethought.Nowifonlyhewouldconfesshisundyinglustforher,themomentwouldbecomplete.Buthedidn’tandsoonthey

werewalkingtowardtheparaderouteagain.Chloefoundherfriends

andBaileygreetedtheotherparents.SheintroducedKennyanddidherbesttoavoidthequestioninglooks.Atthebin-decoratingparty,KennyhadexplainedhewasfillinginforTaryn.Noonehadthoughttheyweretogether.Andtheyweren’t,Baileyremindedherself.He

wasjustafriendcomingoverforThanksgiving.Fortunatelytheparade

startedbeforeanyonecouldpullherasideandaskaboutthingsshecouldn’tanswer.Thefirstentrywasabannercarriedbytwohighschoolkidsfromthemarchingband.TheannualFool’sGoldThanksgivingparadehadbegun.MayorMarsharodebyin

anoldconvertible,followedbyseveralsmallerversionsofthefamousballoonsfromtheMacy’sparade.“Chloe’sgoingtowatch

therepeatofthatlater,”BaileytoldKenny.“Justsoyou’reprepared.”“Ilookforwardtoit.”Alltherightwords,she

thoughtwithasigh.Nodoubthehadplentyofpractice.Themarchingbandcame

next,loudlyplayingtheirversionof“JingleBells.”Fartherupthestreetcamemurmurs.BaileygrinnedatKenny.“It’sPriscilla,”shesaid

happily,rememberingtheonlypartoftheparadethathadmadeChloesmilelastyear.“She’sanelephant.She’llbedressedasSanta.”Helookedoverherhead,

thenfrowned.“Howdothey

dothat?”“Iheardthecostumewas

insectionsandheldtogetherwithVelcro.”Helookedoverthecrowd

andshookhishead.“Well,I’llbeda—”HeglancedattheSproutscrowdingaroundandpointing.“I’llbe,ah...”“Letitgo,”shetoldhim.

“There’snogoodsubstitute.”Hesmiledather.“Yougot

thatright.”Heturnedbackto

Priscilla.“Notsomethingyouseeeveryday.”“No.Iheardthatshehas

severalcustomblanketstokeepherwarm.Thelocalknittersmadethemforher.”“Gottalovethetown.Did

youknowaboutthecamel?”“There’sacamel?”Chloe

askedeagerlyandtriedtosee.Kennypickedherupasif

sheweighednothing.Herdaughterpointedand

laughed.“Mom,look!There’sReno

theponyandacamel.They’redressedaselves.”Baileywaiteduntilthat

partoftheparadecameintoview.SureenoughPriscillahadherelffriendswithher,alongwithwagonsfromCastleRanch.“I’veneverseenacamel

dressedasanelf,”shesaid,shakingherhead.

Acoupleoffiretrucks—alldeckedoutfortheholidays—werenext.Thereweresmalltreesandlotsofstars,includingseveralJewishstars.Anhourlater,theparade

hadendedandthethreeofthemmadetheirwaybacktotheapartment.Thesmellofturkeygreetedthemastheyenteredthelivingroom.Chloecarefullyhungupher

coatbeforeheadingtotheTVtofindthereplayoftheMacy’sparade.KennyhelpedBaileyoutofhers.Wasitherimaginationor

didhishandslingeronhershoulders?Sheknewtheanswer,ofcourse,butagirlcoulddream.Andwhenthemaninquestionwasasgoodasthisone,shesupposeddreamingwasinevitable.

***

THEFINALPREPARATIONSfordinnerwentassmoothlyasBaileycouldhavehoped.Kennywasn’tjustaguywhoknewhowtomakeapie,hewasalsoanexpertturkeycarver.Hisskillmadeherwonderabouttheotherwomeninhislife—bothwhotheywereandtheactualnumberofthem.

Thecheesebiscuitsandsweetpotatocasserolewentintotheovenatthesametime.ShestirredthegravywhileKennypouredwineforthetwoofthemandsparklingappleciderforChloe.Thetablewasbigenough

toseatsix.BaileyputKennyattheend.ShesatonhisrightwhileChloewasacrossfromheronhisleft.Theirplacesettingsweresurroundedby

bowlsandplattersandsteamingstacksofdeliciousfood.Whenthey’dtakentheir

places,KennysurprisedherbyreachingforherhandandChloe’s,thensayinggrace.Whenthey’dfilledtheir

plates,sheturnedtohim.“YoureallylearnedhowtobakepiesinSweden?”“Idid.”HepassedChloe

thestuffing.“Mymom

workedfortheStateDepartment.WelivedallaroundtheworlduntilIwastwelve.”“Didyoumissyour

friends?”Chloeasked.“Imadenewfriends.”Hereyeswidened.“Wasit

hard?”“Sometimes.EspeciallyifI

hadtolearnanewlanguage.ButIwasusedtoit.”HelookedatBailey.“Wemoved

backtotheStateswhenIwastwelve.MyparentswantedtosettleinoneplacesomysistersandIcouldhavecontinuity.”“Howmanysisters?”she

asked.“Three.I’minthemiddle.”Thatmusthavebeennice,

shethought.Shewouldhavelikedsiblings.AndforChloetohavehadatleastonebrotherorsister.Althoughthe

oddsofthatweregettingmoreunlikelybytheyear.“I’dlikeasister,”Chloe

said.“Iguessabrotherwouldbeokay,too.Daddyalwaystoldme...”Hervoicetrailedoffasshestaredatherplate.“What,honey?”Bailey

askedgently.Chloeraisedhergaze.“He

saidthatnomatterhowmanyotherkidsyouhad,thatIwouldalwaysbehisbestgirl.

BecauseIwasfirst.”Sheworriedherlowerlip.“IfeelsadbecauseIdon’trememberhimsomuch.”Baileyreachedacrossthe

tableandtouchedherdaughter’shand.Beforeshecouldfigureoutwhattosay,Kennyspoke.“Itsoundslikehereally

lovedyou.”Chloenodded.“Andyoulovedhim.”

Anothernod.“Isn’tthatthemost

importantpart?Knowingyoulovedeachother?”Hereachedforthesweetpotatoes.Chloelookedtoherfor

confirmation.Baileynodded.“Helivesoninyourheart.

Allthepeoplewelovedo.”“Foralways?”Chloe

asked.“Foralways,”Bailey

promised.

***

AFTERTHEYFINISHEDDINNER,BaileykeptwaitingforKennytoleave.ButhestuckwiththemthroughthesecondhalfofthefootballgameandChloe’smoviepickoftheevening,TheMuppetChristmasCarol.Abouteight-thirty,herdaughter

finallywounddownfromtheexcitementandzonkedoutonthesofa.BaileytriednottoletherheartgetalltwistywhenKennycarriedChloetobed.Buttherewassomething

magicalaboutabig,strongguycarryingalittlegirl.Soitwasn’tcompletelyherfaultthatshewasbothbreathlessandhopefulwhentheyreturnedtothelivingroom.

Hewasgoingtoleave,shetoldherself.Itwastimeforhimtogo.Theywereonlyfriends,soshewouldbevery,veryfoolishtoexpectanythingotherthanahandshake.Andwhileshedidn’texpectmore,shewaswillingtoadmitshewantedmore.Butinsteadofleaving,

Kennyreturnedtothesofa.Baileysettledontheopposite

endandfacedhim.“Yourpiewasdelicious,”

shesaidintothesilence.“Thanks.Thewholemeal

wasgreat.Thanksforinvitingme.”“Wehadfun.You’regood

withChloe.”Insteadofsmiling,he

staredpasther,asifseeingsomethingshecouldn’t.“Ilikekids.”“Doyouhaveany?”she

asked,realizinghowlittlesheknewabouthispast.Shereallyhadtospendsomequalitytimeontheinternet,usingGoogletodosomeresearchonhim.“No,”hesaidfirmly.“I

did.”Shestaredathim.“Oh,no.

Whathappened?I’msorry.”Helookedather.“Noone

died.Itwasn’tlikethat.”Shedidn’tunderstand.If

noonehaddied...Shewaited,notsurewhattoask,orifsheshould.Hisexpressionwastight—bothpainedandangry,shethought.“Highschoolwaseasy,”he

saidwithashrug,hisgazeonceagainlookingpasther.“Ilikedgirlsandtheylikedme.IwasinandoutofwhatIcalledloveeverycoupleofweeks.”“Soundslikefun.”

Heglancedatherandsmiled.“Yeah.Funisagoodwordforit.”Thesmilefaded.“Incollege,Igotalittlemoreserious.Thegirlfriendslastedmonthsinsteadofweeks.Butnoonestuck.Nataliewasoneofthem.Wedatedforafewweeks.Itwasgreatandthenitended.WhenIranintoherthefollowingspring,itwasobviousthatshewaspregnant.”

Baileystiffened.Shehadn’tseenthatcoming.“She’dnevertriedtogetin

touchwithme,whichpissedmeoff,”hecontinued.“Icouldcountaswellasthenextguy.Shewasaboutfivemonthsalong.Thekidwasmine.Iproposedandsherefused.Shesaidshedidn’twanttogetmarriedthatway.Sowemovedintogether.”Heshiftedalittle,then

lookedatBailey.“I’dbeendraftedatthatpoint.IwasexcitedaboutgraduatingandstartingmyNFLcareer.Ididn’ttakeasmuchtimewithNatalieasIshouldhave.Iwasn’thomemuch.Ididn’trunaroundwithotherwomen,buttherewerealotofthingstodo.”Shenodded,notsurewhat

hewantedtohear.Orwherethestorywasgoing.

“Thebaby—aboy—wasbornwhileIwasplaying.Nataliedidn’tcalltotellmeshewasinlabor.IrushedhomeassoonasIfoundout,butNataliewasn’tallthateagertokeepmeathome,soIwentbacktowork.Timepassed.Westillweren’tmarried,butwehadJamesandthatwasenoughforme.”Hedrewinabreath.“I

spentallmyfreetimewith

him.Hewasagreatkid.Smartandloving.Iwassodamnedproud.ThingswithNataliewereupanddown,butIfiguredthat’swhathappenedwhenyouwereinaseriousrelationship.WhenJameswasthree,everythingchanged.”Shelookedathim,wanting

desperatelytohearandalmostafraidofwhathewasgoingtotellher.

“How?”sheaskedsoftly.“Igothurt.Myfirstserious

injury.Imissedfivegames.WhileIwasrecovering,Nataliecametome.Shesaidthatthereasonshe’dneverwantedtomarrymewasthatshewasinlovewithanotherman.Amarriedman.Hekeptpromisingtoleavehiswifeforherandhefinallydid.Nataliewasleavingmetogobewithhim.”

Hisexpressionturnedfierce.“Itwasn’tgoodnews,butIwasokaywiththat.Wedefinitelyweren’tinlovethen.ItoldherIwantedcustodyofJames.That’swhenshesaidhewasn’tmine.Theotherguywasthefather.”Baileysuckedinabreath.

“Wasshetellingthetruth?”“Yeah.That’sthehellofit.

Igotanattorneyandwe

arrangedforaDNAtest.Butwhenitcameback...Ihadnolegalclaimonhim.ShetookhimandwalkedoutandIneversawhimagain.”Baileywantedtogoto

him,toholdhimandoffercomfort.Onlytherewasn’tanythingshecouldsay.Shetriedtoimaginewhatit

wouldbelikeifshelostChloe.Buteventhinkingitwaspossiblewastoopainful

toconsider.“I’msorry,”shewhispered.“Me,too.Thethingis,

you’regreatandIlikeyoualot.”Anunexpectedstatement

thatshouldhavethrilledher.Exceptforthesinglewordattheend.But.Hedidn’thavetosayit.

Shehearditloudandclear.Shewasthewomanwitha

kidwhowasn’this.Kennyhadbeenburnedthatwayoncebefore.Hewasn’tgoingtoriskitagain.“Iunderstand,”shetold

him,feelingdisappointedandmorethanalittlehurt.“Itmakesperfectsense.”“Iwantedyoutoknow

why,”hesaid.Shestood.“AndnowIdo.

Thankyou.ChloeandIhadagreattimetoday.”

“Idid,too.”Heroseandtherewasan

awkwardmomentastheybothstaredateachother.Hegaveherahalfsmileandreachedforhiscoat.Baileyheldopenthefront

door,brisklywishedhimgood-night,thenshutitbehindhim.Whenshewasalone,sheleanedagainstthedoorandtoldherselfitwasforthebetter.

Onlyshedidn’tfeelbetter.Shefeltalittlesicktoherstomach.Becauseshethoughtmaybewhathe’dbeensayingwasthatunderothercircumstances,hemighthavebeeninterestedinher.Thathemighthavethoughtshewashistype.Andknowingthatmadenothavinganychanceathimjustalittlemoredifficulttotake.

CHAPTERFIVE

ONEOFTHEadvantagesoflivinginFool’sGoldwasthatnomatterwhathorriblethingmightbehappeninginyourpersonallife,therewasalsosomethingintowntoserveasadistraction.Despitehavingnotslept

muchthenightbefore,Baileygreetedthemorningwithas

muchoptimismasshecouldmuster.Foronething,shehadagreatlife.Shehadherdaughter,friendsandajobsheloved,andinlessthantwoweeks,shewouldbemovingintoherfirstever,veryownhome.Itwasenough,shetoldherselffirmly.Shedidn’tneedaman—notevenoneastemptingasKenny.SheandChloehad

breakfast,thenshedroppedherdaughteroffatafriend’shouse,whereshewouldspendtheday.Forherpart,Baileywasgoingtoheadintotown.Allthestoreswouldbedecoratingfortheholidaysandthatwasfuntowatch.Therewasalsoanewstoreopening,andshewasmeetingIsabelthere.Tomorrow,sheandChloewouldgolookatallthestorewindowsandstay

forthetown’streelighting.Backatherplace,she

madequickworkofcleaningthekitchen,thendoveintohercloset.Shewantedtoclearoutasmanythingsaspossiblebeforethemove.SheandChloehadalreadydoneherdaughter’sroom.Chloehadgivenupacoupleofboxesoftoystobedonated.Clothesthatweretoosmallwouldalsogotocharity.

WhenBailey’scellphonerang,shewastryingtodecideifshewasevergoingtolosethetwentypoundsnecessaryforhertogetbackintoseveralpairsofjeanssheownedorifsheshouldsimplydonatethem.“Hello?”shesaidwithout

glancingatthedisplay.“Hey.”Allittookwasasingle

wordspokenbyaspecific

man.Herslightlyfakegoodmoodshatteredandthejeansdroppedtothecarpet.Shesankontothebed.“Kenny.”Athousandemotions

struggledtofindroominside.Shethoughtofthechildhe’dlostandhowshewouldneverhaveguessedhesufferedsuchatragedy.Shethoughtofthewayhissmilemadehertoescurlandhowknowinghe

wasagreatguymadehercrushjustalittlehardertogetover.“I’vegotallthebinsin

place,”hesaid.Ittookherasecondto

mentallyswitchgears.Right,thetoydrive.Thatwasstilltheirresponsibility.“Thankyou.There’sa

scheduleforcollection.Youhavethat,right?”“Yeah.Iknowmydays.”

“Theparentshelpingdo,too.Iappreciateyourhelpwithallthis.”“We’reinittogether.”Thetruth,butwhensaidin

hislow,sexyvoice...Well,shewantedittomeanalotmorethanitdid.“We’restillonfor

Sunday?”heasked.He’dofferedtotakeherto

SacramentotolookatbedroomfurnitureforChloe.

SheneededtogetherorderplacedandthoughttheBlackFridaycrazinesswouldbeoverbythen.Onlyafterlastnight,she’dassumedshewouldbeonherown.“Youdon’tmind?”“I’dliketogowithyou,”

hetoldher.“We’refriends,Bailey.Idon’twantthattochange.”Friendswasbetterthan

nothing,shetoldherself.

Friendswasthematureresponsetotheirsituation.Friendswasenough.Althoughthatlastonemightbestretchingthetruthatinybit.“Thankyou,”shesaid.“I’d

lovetheinput.Chloe’sgoingouttoCastleRanchforridinglessonswithseveralofherfriends,sothetimingisperfect.”“I’llpickyouupatnoon.”

“I’llbeready.”“Seeyouthen.’Bye.”Hehungupandshedidthe

same.Thiswasgood,shetold

herself.SheandChloewouldgotochurchandbebackintimeforanearlylunchbeforeherdaughterheadedoutonherownadventure.BaileyandKennywouldgotoSacramentoandbuyfurniture.Itwouldbenice.

Pleasant.Friendshangingouttogether.Nothingmore.Nomatterhowmuchshewantedalittle“more”inherlife.

***

DIAMONDSANDPURLS,ayarnandbeadshopclosetoBrew-haha,hadbeenopenalloftwohoursandwasalreadypacked.Baileysippedhercupofcomplimentaryhotcocoa

asshestudiedthebinsfilledwithwhatseemedlikehundredsoftypesofyarn.Thereweredifferentweightsandtextures,dozensofcolors.Yarnthatwasimpossiblysoftandyarnthatglittered.Ontheothersideofthe

storewerethebeads.Millionsofbeads,shethoughtwithagrin.Inventoryinthisplacewouldbecomplicated.

“Iloveit,”Isabelsaid,comingupnexttoherandlinkingarms.“Doesn’tthisplacemakeyouwanttobecreative?”Baileysmiledatherfriend.

“Areyousayingyou’regoingtotakeaclass?”Thetallblondeshookher

head.“No.I’mgoingtothinkabouttakingaclass.There’sadifference.”“Abigone,”Baileytold

her.“ChloeandIalreadytalkedabouttakingabeginner’sknittingclasstogether.”Isabeltriednottolook

horrified.“I’msureitwillbefun.”NoelleBoylan,ownerof

TheChristmasAttic,joinedthem.She,too,wasaprettyblonde.Herusuallyslimphysiquehadalittlemorecurvetoitthesedays,along

withadefinitebabybump.“Greatstore,”shesaid,

thensippedherhotchocolate.“Imisscoffee.Andwine.”“Howareyoufeeling?”

Baileyasked.“Better.Almostfour

monthstotheday,likeyousaid.”Noellehadspentthefirst

threemonthsofherpregnancyfeelingnauseous.Baileyhadgonethroughthe

samething.Bythefourthmonth,everythingcalmeddown.Noellegrinned.“Gabrielis

goingcrazy,though.Ithinkit’sharderforhimbecausehe’sadoctor.Hehasjustenoughtrainingtomakehimtotallyfreakouteverysingleday.”“Butit’snice,right?”

Isabelsaid,eyeingNoelle’sstomach.“Havinghim

hover.”“Mostofthetime.Except

whenIwanttosmotherhimwithapillow.”Theylaughed.Bailey

joinedin,eventhoughherfeelingswerebittersweet.She’dspentmuchofherpregnancyalone.Willhadbeendeployed.He’darrivedbackintimeforthebirth,buthadn’tbeenwithherthroughherpregnancy.Hehadn’t

seenherasshe’dgottenbiggerorfeltthebabymoveforthefirsttime.Thinkingaboutthepast

madeherwonderifthingswouldhavebeendifferentifhe’dbeenhomemore.Orwouldtheystillhavegrownapart?Itwasaquestionshecould

neveranswer,sheremindedherself.WillwasgoneandsheandChloeweremakinga

lifewithouthim.“Thedecoratingis

starting,”Noellesaid.“Forthetown’swindowdisplaycontest.”“You’vehadyourplan

figuredoutforweeks,”Isabelteased.“What’sthebigdealaboutwinningthisyear?”Noelle’sgazeintensified.

“Seriously?Youhavetoask?IfI’mentering,I’menteringtowin.”

“There’sthespiritofChristmas,”Isabelteased.Noelleignoredherand

turnedtoBailey.“Oneofthewindowsisgoingtobeafantasywinterwonderland,butwithatwist.Allthedecorationsarefunnyandquirky.LikeapickledressedupasSanta.”“ChloeandIcan’twaitto

seeit.”“Good.”Sheglanced

aroundthestore.“Iwanttogointroducemyselftotheowner.HernameisLora,right?”Baileynodded.“Yes.I’ve

metheracoupleoftimesandshe’sreallynice.I’msogladsheandherfamilymovedtoFool’sGold.”Isabelsighed.“You’rean

annoyinglypleasantperson,BaileyVoss.”Baileygrinned.“Why,

thankyou.”

***

KENNYDROPPEDOFFthetoysandcarefullysecuredthelockonthetrailer.Eachofthecollectionbinshe’dvisitedhadbeenoverflowing.Hehadafeelingthetrailerwouldbefulllongbeforetheirdeadline.Fromwhathecouldsee,thepeopleinFool’sGold

hadawayofcomingthroughforacause.HedrovetoBailey’s

apartmentandwalkedupstairstoherunit.Anticipationburnedhotinside,butheignoredthesensation.He’ddeliberatelymadehispositionclearwithher.Asmuchoutofself-defenseasbecauseitwastherightthingtodo.EventhoughhefoundBaileyfunny,sweet

andsexy,hecouldn’ttakethechance.Notnow,notever.Sheopenedherdoor,her

coatinherhand.“You’rerightontime,”she

saidwithasmile.“Itmustbeallthatsportstraining.Havingtobeatpracticeorgameswhentheysaid.”Henoddedbecausethe

punchtohisgutmadeitimpossibletospeak.Thereshouldhavebeen

nothingamazingabouther.Sheworejeansandagreensweaterthatmatchedhereyes.Shehadonsomemakeupandherhairtumbledpasthershouldersinloosecurls.Nicebutnotmind-shattering.Exceptshewas.Thecurves

alonewoulddriveastrongermantohiskneesandKennywaswillingtoadmitthatwhenitcametoBaileyhe

wasasweakasakitten.Thentherewasthesmilethattuggedatthecornersofhermouth.Amouthhewantedtocoverwithhisown,explore,tease,nibbleandlick.Hewantedtotasteher,holdher,striphernakedand—Hesuckedinabreathand

steeredhiswaywardmindbacktoreality.Nakedwasn’tgoingtohappen.Baileywashisfriend.Heshouldthinkof

herassomeonelikeagrandmother.Alovelywomanandnothingmore.“Thebinswerefull,”he

saidastheywentdownthestairs.“Atthisrate,it’snotgoingtotakelongtofillupthetrailer.”“I’mglad.IwashopingI

wouldn’thavetoactivatethephonetreeandmakeanappeal.”Heheldopenthepassenger

sidedoorforher.“There’saphonetree?”Shegrinned.“Really?You

havetoask?”Shewasstandingclose

enoughthathecouldbreatheinasweetscent.Alittlefloralwithahintofvanilla.Hewouldbetherskinwassoftandwarmandforasecondheallowedhimselftowonderifshewasquietwhenshemadeloveorifshemoaned.

Becausehelikeditbestwhenawomanmoaned.“Bytheway,Chloedoesn’t

know,”shetoldhim.Heblinked,tryingtofind

hiswaybacktotheconversation.“Aboutthefurniture?”he

asked,thepiecesfallingintoplace.Shenoddedandslidonto

theseat.“Itoldherwewereshoppingforfurniture,but

shethinkswe’regettinganewcoffeetable.Iwantittobeasurprise.”Heclosedherdoorand

walkedaroundtohisside.“Iwon’tsayanything,”hepromisedashesettlednexttoher.Theyheadedoutoftown

andgotontothefreewaytowardSacramento.Therewasasignonthesideoftheroadannouncingtheopening

oftheLuckyLadyCasinoseasonalice-skatingrink.“Weshoulddothat,”

Baileysaid.“ImeanChloeandme.Goiceskating.Ihaven’tinyears.NotsinceIwasateenager.DoyouthinkI’llrememberhow?”“Sure.Iskate.I’lltakethe

twoofyou,ifyou’dlike.Icancatchyouifyoufall.”Baileyglancedathim,then

away.“Iwouldn’twantyou

tohurtyourself,”shemurmured.“Notpossible.I’m

athletic.”Shelaughed.“I’veheard

thatsomewhere.Youusedtoplaysportsofsomekind?”“Veryfunny.”Shegrinned.“Icanbe.”

Thesmilefaded.“Okay,I’lladmitit.I’mnervousaboutbuyingfurniture.Iknowthisisgoingtosoundcrazy,but

I’veneverboughtthiskindofstuffbefore.Notnew,Imean.I’vealwayshadhand-me-downsorsomethingfromthethriftstore.WhenWillandIwerefirstmarried,wedidn’thaveanymoney.Andlater,wemovedaroundalot.WhenChloecamealong,plentyoffriendshadcribsandchangingtables.”“HowdidyouandWill

meet?”heasked.

Sheglancedathim.“Inhighschool.Hewasalittlenerdyandfunnyandcrazyaboutme.Wewerefriendsmorethanboyfriend-girlfriend.Iwasfocusedonsavingenoughmoneytogotocollege.”“Wasthatyourdream?”Shenodded.“Igrewupin

smalltowninOhio.MymomtookoffwhenIwasababyandmygrandmotherraised

me.Shewasagoodwoman,butshe’dbeenthroughsometoughtimes.IknewfromanearlyagethatIwasexpectedtobeonmyownwhenIturnedeighteen.”Hecouldn’timaginethat.

Heknewthatifhetoldhisparentshewantedtomovebacknow,theywouldwelcomehimwithopenarms.Notthatitwasevergoingtohappen.

“Ihadacoupleofjobsallthroughhighschool.IfiguredI’dworkfortwoyears,saveenoughtogetthroughcommunitycollege.WillalwaystoldmeIcoulddoit.Hehadadifferentpath.Hewantedtojointhearmy.”“Adifferentwayout.”“Exactly.”Sheshiftedin

herseat.“Thenightwegraduated,Willproposed.Iwasstunned.Isaidnoandhe

leftforbootcamp.Acoupleofweekslater,IrealizedIhadstrongerfeelingsforhimthanIthought.Idrovedowntowherehewasandwetalkedforalongtime.Bytheendoftheweekend,wewereengaged.Afterwegotmarried,Iwenttocommunitycollegeandworkedandhewasdeployed.”“ThenChloecamealong.”Shesmiled.“Yeah.She

wasasurprise,butagoodone.”“Didyougetyourdegree?”“Notcompletely.Ihave

myAA,butnotmybachelor’s.Myplanistostarttakingnightclassesnextfall.Chloewillbealittleolderandwe’llbesettledinourhouse.”“You’llgetthere,”hesaid.

“Youhaveaplan.”Shelaughed.“Yes,it’sall

abouthavingtherightplan.I’velearnedthatovertheyears.PartlyIwanttodoformyself,butalsoforChloe.Iwanthertoseemeworkinghardandsucceeding.Ithinkit’sagoodlessonforher.”EverythingaboutBailey

wasagoodlessonforherdaughter,hethought.Shewasimpressive,howshe’dkeptitalltogether.Hesupposedthatwasoneofthereasonshe

likedhersomuch.Theydroveinto

Sacramentoandfoundthefurniturestore.Astheywalkedinside,Baileypulledasmallnotebookoutofherbag.“Ididsomeonline

looking,”shetoldhim.“Ithoughtitwouldmakethisgofaster.Ididn’twanttobeoverwhelmedbychoices.”“It’skids’furniture.How

manychoicescouldtherebe?”Herexpressionturned

pitying.“AndhereIthoughtyouwereamanoftheworld.”Heheldopenthedoor.“I

am.”“We’llsee.”Fifteenminuteslater,he

hadtoadmithewasinoverhishead.Therewasawholefloorofkids’furniture.

Fortunatelytheycouldavoidthesectionforbabies,butstill.Therewasplentyfromwhichtochoose.Oneentirecornerwas

devotedtoprincessbeds.Somehadcanopiesandothershadscrollworkontheheadandfootboards.Therewaswhitefurnitureandgildedfurnitureandpaddedchairsintheshapeofhigh-heeledshoes.

Baileystaredatallthefantasysetups,withgauzybeddingandfluffypillows.“Isowanttogetherthis,”shemurmured.“Butit’ssilly.Ineedtofindsomethingshecanuseuntilshegoestocollege.Inafewyears,she’llhateherprincessbed.”Kennywantedtotellherto

goforit,butheknewthatwasn’tpractical.Baileyworkedforthecity.Itwasn’t

asifshewasgoingtosuddenlydoublehersalaryinthenextfewyears,andfurniturecostmoney.“Beddingisn’tthat

expensive,”hesaid.“Whataboutgettingamoresensiblesetup,thenbuyingafunprincesscomforter.Thatwouldn’tcostmuchtoreplaceinacoupleofyears.”Shenoddedslowly.“I

coulddothat.Addsome

pillows.”Shesmiledathim.“Howdoyouknowaboutbeddingmakingadifferenceinaroom?”“Ihavesistersandamom.”“They’llbesopleasedto

knowsomeofwhattheysaidgotthrough.”Hergentleteasingmade

himwanttopullherclose.ItmadehimwanttokissherandmaybebuywhatevershethoughtChloewould

like...histreat.Insteadhestuffedhishandsintohispocketsandjerkedhisheadtowardtherestofthefloor.“Let’sgobepractical.”Alittlewhilelater,they

stoodinfrontofwhatlookedtobetheperfectcompromise.“Areyousure?”Bailey

asked,thennibbledonherbottomlip.“Positive.”Kennypusheda

fewmorebuttonsonhis

phone,thenturnedthescreentowardher.“Look.Thereareallkindsofhardwareavailable.”Hepointedtoabrightdaisyknob.“Theseareeightdollarsapiecebutyouonlyneedsevenoreightofthem.Youcouldchangethemoutifyouneededto.”Shenoddedslowly,asif

workingthroughtheproblem.“Ilikethenaturalalot.It’saprettycolorandanice,

neutralbackdropforherroom.Shewantsitpaintedlavender.”Thebedroomsetwasboth

whimsicalandpractical,hethought,studyingthedesign.Auniquebunk-bedset.Thebottomwasafull-sizedbedwithasmallnighttabletuckednexttoit.Ontheleftsidewerestairsleadingtoatwinupperbunkthatwentacrossthetopofthefull,so

thebedsformedaT.Thebestpartwasthestorage.Eachstairwasadrawerandtherewasabigdrawerunderthefull-sizedmattress.“It’smorethanIhad

plannedtospend,”shemurmured.“Butwiththefreefinancingforayear,Icouldmakeitwork.Ijustthinkthisoneisperfect.”Hemovednexttoherand

puthishandonherarm.Fora

secondheallowedhimselftogetlostinthefeelofherwarmskin.Thenheshookofftheguymomentandfocusedontheproblemathand.“Don’tshootthe

messenger,”hebegan.“Tarynwantstogetyouahousewarmingpresentandsheputmeincharge.”Baileystaredathim.“I

don’tknowifIshouldlaughorbeafraid.”

“Thatwasmyreaction,too.IknowshewouldreallyliketogetChloeagreatprincessbeddingset.Likethatonewesawbythestairs.”They’dseenitontheway

in.Itwasallrufflesandlace,doneinvariousshadesofpink,blueorpurple.Therewerematchingpillowsandagreatlamp.Baileysurprisedhimby

turningaway.“DidTarynreallysaythat?”sheasked,beforeholdingupherhand.“Nevermind.Iknowtheanswer.Sheissonicetome.”Sheturnedbackandhe

sawtearsinhereyes.Shedrewinabreath.“Ifit

wasforme,Iwouldhavetoldherno,butforChloe,Iaccept.I’mgoingtogetthisone.She’llloveitanditwilllastherthroughcollegeand

shecanhavefriendsover.”Hecouldn’thelphimself.

Heputhisarmaroundheranddrewherclose.“You’reagoodmom,Bailey.”“IthinkI’mlikemost

momsoutthere.Weloveourkidsandwantthebestforthem.”Forasecond,sheleaned

intohim.Hefelttheweightofherbodyandwantedtopullherevencloser.He

wanted...Well,hewasclearonthatandhowhecouldn’triskit.Notjustforhimself,butforBailey,too.Shewasthekindofwomanamangotseriousabout,andheknewthedangerofthat.“Let’sgotalktothesales

guy,”hesaid,steeringherinthatdirection.“Whileyou’refillingoutthepaperwork,I’mgoingtocheckonlineforsomeprincess-worthydrawer

pulls.”

CHAPTERSIX

KENNYWAVEDJACKintotheoffice.HisbusinesspartnersatdownandwaiteduntilKennyhungupthephone.“Youmakeyourcalls?”he

asked.Jacknodded.“Theymostly

don’tcare.Forsomereasontheythinkyoucandoasgoodajob.Idiots.”

“You’dbehappieriftheywerethreateningtoleavethecompany?”Kennyaskedwithagrin.“Youknowit.”JackwasleavingScoreat

theendoftheyear.Althoughhe’dbeenafoundingpartnerwithTaryn,he’dbeenofferedacoachingjobatCalUFool’sGold.Andnotjustanycoachingjob.Hewasgoingtostartthefootballprogram,

fromthegroundup.Achallengingproject,butoneJackwouldseetotheend.KennywasconfidenttheCalUFGWarriorswouldhaveawinningseasonwithinthreeyearsoftheirfirstgame.Inthemeantime,Jackwas

contactingalltheirclientsandlettingthemknowhewasmovingon.Kennyfolloweduptoassurethemthathewascommittedtostayingwith

Score.Sofarnoonehadmindedaboutthechange.“It’sgoingtobestrange

nottobehereanymore,”Jacktoldhim.“ButI’mexcitedaboutwhat’saheadofme.”“Letmeknowifyouneed

anyhelp.”“Youwanttocoach?”“No,”Kennysaidwitha

laugh.“ButI’mhappytolistenandofferadvice.”“Samsaidthesamething,”

Jackadmitted.“You’regoodmen.”Kennyheldupahand.

“You’renotgoingtoturnintoawoman,areyou?Andstarttalkingaboutyourfeelings?”“No.SamandDellinaand

LarissaandIarethinkingofgoinguptoHenri’sforafancydinner.”Jackrolledhiseyes.“Larissasaystheydecoratethewholeresortandshewantstoseeit.Dellina

agrees.SamandIaregoingalongbecauseweloveourwomen.Youtwowanttojoinus?”Kennyfrownedathis

friend.Youtwo?Asin...“YouandBailey,”Jack

clarified.“Beforesheleft,Tarynmentionedthetwoofyouwereworkingonthetoydrivetogether.She’sfun,right?”Heshookhishead.“Orisitaproblembecauseof

Chloe?”BecauseJackknewabout

Kenny’spastandhowheavoidedsinglemothers.“We’refriends,”Kenny

said.“Icouldaskherifshe’dliketogo.”“It’suptoyou.Youcould

flyinoneofyourmodels.Ofcoursethedinnerwouldbewasted.Doesn’titbotheryouhowtheyonlyfakeeat?Noactualfoodpassestheirlips.”

“Justbecauseyou’reengagedtoaregularwomannow,don’tpretendyoudidn’tdatemodelsinyourday.”Jack’ssmileturnedsmug.

“Idatedeveryoneinmyday.I’vematuredandIknowbetternow.IhavethebestwomanontheplanetandI’mgoingtodoeverythinginmypowertomakeherhappyfortherestofherlife.Thatandwinanationalfootball

championship.”“Aslongasyouhaveyour

priorities,”Kennysaid.“I’lltalktoBaileyandletyouknowwhatshesays.”“Good.”Jackroseandleft.Kennytriedtoreturnhis

attentiontohiscomputer,butwhathesawinsteadofthescreenwasBailey.Hewouldliketotakehertothedinner.Aslongastheywereboth

clearontherules.

***

BAILEYWATCHEDKENNYcarefullytightenherdaughter’sskates.Therewassomethingsosweetandsexyaboutabigguyhelpingalittlegirl,shethought.Thoselargehandsandthoselittleskates.Notthatthiswasanythingbutfriendsgetting

together,sheremindedherself.Kennywasagoodguy.Goodenoughtowarnherthathewasn’tinterestedinherromantically.Forabriefmoment,she

allowedherselftofantasizeabouttellinghimshedidn’tneedtheromance.Thatanhourortwoinhisbedwasalltheholidaycheersheneeded.Butasfunasthatsounded,sheknewitwascompletely

unrealistic.She’donlybeenwithonemaninherlife.Andthatwasherhusband...afterthewedding.Shewasold-fashioned.Asmuchasshemightmiss

thethingsamancoulddotoherbody,shecouldn’tdothosethingslightly.Shemightnothavetobemarriedthesecondtimearound,butsheknewshewouldhavetobeinlove.Andfallingfor

Kennywouldbeanemotionaldisaster.Soshewouldsimplyenjoy

thesightofhimkneelingontheicewhileChloetriedtostandontheslipperysurface,allthewhilebalancedonablade.Herdaughterhungonto

hishandsasshegotherbalance.Baileyfinishedwithherownskatesandstood.Shewobbledabit,thenfoundher

centerofgravityandmovedtowardChloe.Herdaughterstaredather.

“Mommy,youcanskate!”“Sortof.It’sbeenawhile,

butit’scomingback.”ShemovedtoChloe’sside

andheldoutherhand.“Let’strymoving.It’seasierthanstandingstill.”Kennystood.He,of

course,hadnoproblemskating.Hemovedwitha

graceandsurenessthatsheadmired.Atthesametimeshewonderedwhatitmusthavebeenliketobesophysicallygifted.Notthatshewouldeverknow.HewasonChloe’sother

side.Herdaughtertookhishandandtogetherthethreeofthemstartedacrosstheice.Therinkhadbeensetupat

thefarendoftheresort’sparkinglot.Therewasa

canvasstructurewithsidesthatcouldberolledupwhentheweatherwascoldenough—liketonight.Thetemperaturehadtobeinthetwenties.Theycouldseetheirbreathandthestarsoverhead.Sofarithadbeencold,buttheyhadn’tgottensnow.“Trybendingyourkneesa

little,”Kennywassaying.“It’llhelpyoubalance.Ifyoustarttofall,don’twaveyour

arms.Getclosertotheground.Loweringyourcenterofgravitywillhelpkeepyoubalanced.”Whentheybothstaredat

him,heshrugged.“IusedtohaveRollerblades.Ican’thelpit.I’mgoodatstufflikethis.”Chloepulledfreeoftheir

hands.“Iwanttotryitonmyown.”Shemovedherlegsand

skatedalittleawayfromthem.Shewassurprisinglysteady.EitherKenny’sathleticprowesswasrubbingoff,orChloehadinheritedherskillfromWill.Thethreeofthemmadea

fewturnsaroundtherink.Therewereotherfamiliesout,alongwithteenagersondatesandyoungerkidsingroups.Chloecaughtsightofacoupleofherfriendsand

askedifshecouldskatewiththem.“Sure,”Baileytoldher.

“Justdon’tleavetherink.”“Iwon’t,”Chloecalled

overhershoulderasshehurriedaway.Kennysighedheavily.

“Theygrowupsofast.”Baileylaughed.“Theydo.”Hetuckedherarmintothe

crookofhisarm,whichmeanttheywereskatingclose

together.Shetoldherselftogowiththemomentandnotreadtoomuchintohisactions.Hewas,afterall,basicallyaniceman.“Ihaveconfirmationonthe

bedroomsetdelivery,”shesaid.“It’stheMondaybeforethemove.”“That’sgood.Soshe’ll

haveitforherfirstnightinthenewhouse.”Baileynodded.Shestill

couldn’tbelievehergoodfortune—beingabletobuyherveryownhouse.Whateverelsehappenedtoherinherlife,shewouldalwayshavethataccomplishment.“There’sgoingtobea

dinner,”Kennysaidabruptly.“WithJackandLarissaandSamandDellina.”Helookedather.“I’dliketotakeyou.It’satHenri’s.”

Baileystoppedandlookedathim.Henri’swasafancyrestaurant,ataverynicehoteluponthemountain.Somethinghotandhopefulbubbledtolifeinsideofher.“Ifwecouldgoasfriends,”

headdedcarefully.Thebubblesallpopped.

Sheforcedherselfnottoletherdisappointmentshow.Sheshouldbegrateful,she

toldherselfsternly.Kenny

hadtoldherhehadissueswithherbeingasinglemomandtheymadesense.Hewasn’tplayinggamesortryingtotrickherorbeinganythingbutfriendly,openandhonest.“Dinnersoundslikefun,”

shesaid.“Idon’thaveathingtowear,butI’llfigureitout.”“Ihaveasparejersey.”He

winked.“It’llbereallybigonyoubutwithabeltandsome

accessories...”Sheswattedathisarm.

“Thanks,butno.Andfortherecord,abeltisanaccessory.”“Really?Ithoughtitwas

justabelt.”Theystaredateachother

forasecond.Tensioncrackledbetweenthem—atleastonherside.Shedoubtedhenoticed.Althoughifhedid,maybehewouldkissher.

Becausewhileshewasn’tuptocasualsex,akisscouldbenice.Ithadbeenalongtimebetweenkisses.Worriedhecouldreadher

mind,shequicklyturnedaway.Tooquickly,itturnedout,asherfootslidoutfromunderher.Sheinstinctivelyraisedher

armsasshetriedtofindherbalance.Kennyreachedforherbutshewastoofaraway.

Shestaggeredacoupleofsteps,startedtofall,thenfeltapaininthesideofherankleasshewentdown.Herfirstthoughtwasthat

theicewasbothcoldandhard.Hersecondwasthatshelookedlikeanidiot.Ankleconcernscameinadistantthird.Kennykneltnexttoher.

“Areyouokay?Whathurts?Yourwrist?Yourhip?”

Shetriedtofigureouthowtostandwithoutfallingagain.“I’mokay.Ilostmybalance.”Probablynotinanelegantway,either.Sheshiftedtoputherweightonherskates,onlytogaspassearingheatrippedthroughherleftankle.Okay,thatwasn’tgoodatall.Kennyreachedforherfoot.

“Youhurtyourself.”“Justalittle.”

“Youwinced.”“I’mwimpy.”Hehadherskateoffinfive

secondsandthenremovedhersock.Theskinaroundherankleboneseemedalittlepuffy,butitwasasmallpricetopayforthefeelofthosestrong,largehandstouchingher.Kennyhadhermoveher

toes,thenherwholefoot.Thesharppainhadfadedto

somethingfairlydull.“I’mprettysureIcan

stand,”shesaid,reachingforhersock.“Let’sgetyoutoabench

andtakeitfromthere.”Heputthesockbackon

herfoot,thenstoodandreachedforher.Sheshrankaway.“Whatareyoudoing?”“Helpingyoutoyourfeet.”Shewastallandcarrying

anextratwenty-fivepounds.“I’mokay.I’lljustcrawlover.”Thebenchwasn’tthatfaraway.“Idon’twantyoutohurtyourself.”Hescowledather.“Ican

bench-pressoverthreehundredpounds.Icangetyoutoyourfeet.”Histonesaidhe’dbeen

insulted.Thisprobablywasn’tthetimetoexplainshedidn’tdoubthisstrength—

thatshewasmoreconcernedaboutherownpersonalbulk.Eitherway,theicewasreallycoldandshecouldseeChloeskatingtowardthem.“Okay,”shesaidquietly.“I

appreciatethehelp.”Hebentdownandactually

pickedherup.Likeshewasaslightasaragdoll.Thenthemancarriedhertothebench.Itallhappenedsofast,she

didn’tknowwhattothink.

Oncesecondshewasonice,thenextshewasperchedonthebench.Chloehurriedover.“Mom,

whathappened?”“Ifell.I’mfine.”“Shesprainedherankle,”

Kennysaid.“Iwantyoucheckedout.We’regoingtothehospital.They’lltakeanX-ray,justtobesure.”HepulledChloeclose.“Don’tworry,kid.I’llbewithboth

youeverystepoftheway.”

***

ONEX-RAY,acarrideandsecondtripinKenny’sarmsashecarriedheruptoherapartmentlater,Baileyfoundherselfrelaxingonherbed.TheE.R.doctorhadconfirmedamildsprain.Baileywastotakeiteasyforacoupleofdays.Shehad

crutches,acompressionbandageandinstructionstouseiceandananti-inflammatory.Thedoctorhadassuredhershewouldn’tneedthecrutchesmorethanadayortwo.He’dalsobeenimpressedbyKenny’sskillinwrappingthecompressionbandage.NodoubttheformerNFLplayerhadalotofpractice.KennyandChloe

disappearedintothekitchenonlytoreturnafewminuteslaterwithatrayofhotchocolateandseveralcookiesonaplate.“Weneedasnack,”Kenny

toldher.Chloeclimbedupnextto

hermotherwhileKennysatinthechairbyBailey’ssmallcornerdesk.Hedwarfedthefurniture,whichshouldhavelookedsillybutforsome

reasonshefoundcomforting.Baileyacceptedthemugof

hotchocolateandwonderedattheimprobabilityofthesituation.She’dthoughtaboutgettingKennyintoherbedroomandithadhappened.Butsomehowthiswasnotthescenarioshe’dfantasizedabout.“Areyoufeelingokay?”

Chloeaskedanxiously.“Honey,I’mfine.”Bailey

strokedherdaughter’shair.“IfellandIfeelfoolish.Myanklewillbealotbetterbytomorrow.”“Youhavetouse

crutches.”“Notforlong.Peopleget

hurtandthentheygetbetter.”Chloenodded,butdidn’t

lookconvinced.Baileywassureitwasharderforherthanformostkids.She’dalreadylostherfather—shewouldn’t

wanttoseehermotherasvulnerable.“I’mstaying,”Kenny

announced.Baileyblinkedathim.

“Excuseme?”“I’mgoingtosleeponthe

couch.”Athrillingthought,butno.

“That’snotnecessary.I’mmobile.”“Whatifyouneedtoget

downthestairsinthemiddle

ofthenight?Yourapartmentisonthesecondfloorandthere’snoelevator.I’mstaying.”Heshrugged.“Youcan’tsayno.You’renotinapositiontothrowmeout.Youcanbarelywalk.”HewinkedatChloe.“Ican’tseeyourmomputtingmeonhershoulderandhaulingmedownthestairs,canyou?”Chloegiggled.“Soit’sagreed.”

Baileyopenedhermouth,thenclosedit.Unexpectedtearsburnedinhereyesandsheknewifshespoke,shewouldlosecontrol.Thelastthingshewantedwasherdaughtertoseehercry.ItwasKenny,shethought,

smilingandhopingneitherofthemnoticedthesheenofmoisture.Actuallyitwashisactions.Hewastakingcareofherandithadbeensovery

longsinceshe’dhadashoulder—howevertemporary—toleanon.

***

WHILETHESOFAlookedcomfortableenough,Kennyknewitwasgoingtobealongnight.Althoughhehadanicepillowandplentyofblankets,therewasnowayhecameclosetofitting.Evenif

hedidn’thavehisfeethangingofftheend,hewasstillnotgoingtogetanyrest.MostlybecausewherehewantedtobewasinBailey’sbed,notherlivingroom.Noway,hereminded

himself.Thereweredozensofreasons—themostimportantofwhichwasinthesmaller,secondbedroom.Chloe.Abright,sweetkidwhomheadored.Butatthe

endoftheday,hewasn’tgoingtostarttocareaboutheronlytoloseher.Onlyafoolwouldexpectadifferentoutcome.Hepunchedthepillowa

coupleoftimesandclosedhiseyes.He’dnearlyfallenasleepwhenheheardfootstepsinthehallway.Theywerelightandhesitant.Hesawupandturnedon

thelight.Chloesteppedinto

view.Shehadonalongflannel

nightgownwithpinkflowersonit.Herbrightredhairwaspulledbackinabraidandhereyeswerehuge.Ashewatched,asingletearslippeddownhercheek.He’dgonehometopickup

sweatsandaT-shirttosleepin.Hepushedasidetheblanketsandpattedthesofanexttohim.Shecrossedto

him,butinsteadofsettlingbesidehimshethrewherselfathimandbegantocry.Baileyhadbeenemotional

earlier,hethoughtasheinstinctivelywrappedhisarmsroundChloe’sskinnybodyandheldherclose.Areactiontotheaccident,butstill.Femalesandtearswereatoughcombination.Notknowingwhatelseto

do,helethercryforafew

minutes.Herubbedherbackandmurmuredreassuringly.Finallysheraisedherheadandlookedathim.“Ihadabaddreamabout

mydad.”“Whatwasthedream?”“HewaslostandIcouldn’t

findhim.”Hebrushedhetearsfrom

hercheeks.“Yeah,that’sabadone.Itwokeyouup,huh?”

Shenoddedandsniffed.“Canyoukeeprealquiet

foraminute?”heasked.Shenodded.Hepickedherupand

carriedherintohermother’sbedroom.Baileylayasleeponherbed.Kennyreturnedtothelivingroomandsatonthesofawithheronhislap.“Youseeshe’sokay,

right?”Chloenodded.

Hesmiledather.“You’vehadalottodealwith,munchkin.Movingtoastrangetown,thenlosingyourdad.You’reabouttomoveintoanewhouse.Andwhilethenewhouseisgoingtobewonderful,it’sstillachange.Andsometimeschangeisupsetting.Evenagoodone.Welikeourroutines.”Shewatchedhim,herbig

greeneyesfocusedonhisface.“Whenyourmomfell,you

werescared.”Chloenodded.“Youknowshe’sokay,

right?Thatit’sjustasprainandshe’snotindanger.”WhathewantedtosaywasBaileywasn’tgoingtodie,buthedidn’tknowifthatwastoomuch.“Normallyyou’dbeokaywithit,butrightnow

it’sharder.”Anothernod,thisonea

littleslower.Someoftheworryfadedfromhereyes.“It’slikewhenI’mtiredandIgetcrankywhenIwouldn’tusually?”“Yeah.Justlikethat.

There’salotgoingonandthenyousawyourmomhurt.Itscaredyou.Itwouldscareanyone.Ithinkthat’sprobablywhyyouhadthe

dreamaboutyourdad.”Hetouchedhernose.“You

knowyourdadlovesyou.He’salwaysgoingtoloveyou.Justbecausehe’snothere,doesn’tmeanthelovegoesaway.It’slikethebluesky.Justbecauseyou’renotlookingdoesn’tmeanit’ssuddenlypurpleorgreen.”Shesmiled.“Becausehe’s

myforeverdad?”Soft,sweetwordsthathit

himinthegut.Longingsofierceandintensethatitstolehisbreathcaughthiminavisegripanddidn’tletgo.Becausethatwaswhat

he’dwantedwithJamesandwhathestillwanted.Hewasoneofthosetraditionalguyswhohadalwaysassumedhewouldgetmarriedandhavekids.Notspecialdreams,buthisallthesame.Theproblemwasafter

Natalie,he’dbeenreluctanttotrustagain.Therehadbeengirlfriends,butnoneofthemhadtrulytouchedhisheart.Infactthefirstwomantogethisattentioninthatwayhappenedtobethemotherofthelittlegirlsittingonhisknee.Chloeslidtothefloorand

yawned.“Thanks,Kenny.Ifeelbetter.I’mgoingbacktobed.”

“I’llwalkyou.”Hegothersettled,kissed

herontheforehead,thenretreatedtothesofa.Buthedidn’tbotherlyingdown.Heknewhewouldn’tsleep.Notwheneverythinghewantedwassodamnedclose,andyetcompletelyoutofreach.

CHAPTERSEVEN

BAILEYWIGGLEDINTOherSpanxcamisoleandsmootheditintoplace.Tonightwasthetriple-datedinneratHenri’swithKenny.Notthattheyweredating.Theywerefriendsjoiningtwoothercouples,oneof

whomwasmarried,whiletheotherwasengaged.Nobigdeal.Exceptthinkingaboutthat

overandoverdidn’tseemtobegettingthemessagetothebutterfliescurrentlypracticingtheirNutcrackerballetinherstomach.She’dbeenluckywithher

sprain.Thefollowingmorningshehadn’tneededhercrutchesatall.The

swellinghadgonedownquicklyandbythesecondday,therewasn’tmuchpain.She’dbeencarefultowearflatsfortheweeksoshecouldsaveheranklefortonight.Shepulledherholiday

sweateroverherhead.Itwasblackwithstylizedbowsknitintothepattern.Allofthebowswerewhite,exceptforoneredone.Shehadherfaux

diamond-studearringsshe’dpurchasedonsaleandapairoftoo-highsexyblackheelsshe’dgottenataclothingexchange.Baileystudiedher

reflectioninthemirror.She’ddoneherbestwithhermakeup.Herhairwasgood—longandthickwithacurlywave.Shethoughtshelookednice.ButwhatwouldKennythink?

She’dgivenuponthejust-friendsthing.Shehadacrushonhimandallthesensibletalkintheworldwasn’tgoingtochangethat.Thetruthwastheywouldbeseeingalotofeachotherovertheholidays.Shewouldenjoyeveryminuteofthat.Butcomethefirstoftheyear,shewasgoingonaKennydiet.Shehadafeelingthatgivinghimupwasgoingtobealot

harderthangivingupcarbs,whichhappenedtobethesecondofherresolutionsforJanuary.Shedidn’thaveachoice.

Notonlyhadhemadehisfeelingsextremelyclear,butshe’dalsoactuallytakenthetimetodoanonlinesearchofhimthepreviousnight.Theresultshadnotbeeneasytosee.Whilethereweren’tmanypicturesofKennywith

thewomanhe’dthoughtofasthemotherofhischild,thereweremorethanenoughofhimwithbeautiful,talented,sexy,thinwomen.Modelsandactresses.Acoupleofathletesandawomanwhohadfoundedasuccessfulnonprofitwhilestillinherteens.Ifoneignoredthebeautiful

andsuccessfulpart,hedidn’tseemtohaveaphysicaltype.

Therewereblondes,brunettesandasmatteringofredheads.Somewereshort,someweretall.Butnotoneofthemhadbeencurvy.Orplump.Orfightinganextratwentypounds.Therealsohadn’tbeenanyexecutiveassistantsorschoolteachersorhairstylists.Inaword,Kennydidn’tseemtofavornormalwhenitcametothewomeninhislife.

Whichmadetheneedtogetoverhimevenstronger.Shegothercoatandher

leastsensiblehandbag,whichwasstillaprettyutilitarianblackshoulderbag,andwalkedintothelivingroom.ChloewasstayingwithherfriendAllisonforthenight,savingBaileythecostofababysitter.Rightontimesheheard

stepsonthestairs,thena

knockatherdoor.SheopenedittofindKennystandingthere,lookingwaytoogoodtobelegal.Hehadonalongcamel-

coloredcoatandadarksuit.Helookedasifhe’dshoweredandshaved.Hesmiledatherandsteppedintoherapartment.“Youlookgreat,”hesaid

bywayofgreeting.“You,too.”Shefrownedas

shenoticedthereweremeltingwhiteflakesonhisshoulders.“Isitsnowing?”Hegrinned.“Juststarted.

Don’tworry.Ihaveall-wheeldrive.”Becausetheywereheading

upthemountain.Whatiftheygotsnowedin?Sheallowedherselfexactly

foursecondstoimagineherselfandKennyinahotelroom,withafireplaceanda

verybigbed.Thenshegatheredher“I’mamotherandIhavetobesensible”thoughtsandignoredthetempting,naughtyones.Thelightsnowfallbecame

steadierastheyheadedfortherestaurant.Neartheresort,theypassedaplowalreadydoingitsthing.Somuchforbeingsnowedin,shethoughtwithonlyalittleregret.

TheGoldRushSkiLodgeandResorthadbeendecoratedfortheholidays.Thebrightlightswerevisiblefromtheroad.Kennyturnedontotheproperty,thenfollowedthesignstothevalet.TheChristmascheer

continuedinsidethemainbuilding.Therewereseveraltreessetupinthelobby,withgarlandaroundallthe

doorways.CarolsplayedfromhiddenspeakersandseveralofthestaffsportedfestiveSantahats.“It’sthisway,”Kenny

said,pointingtoalonghallway.Shestartedinthat

direction.Heputhishandonthesmallofherback.Eventhroughhercoatshefeltthewarmthandstrengthofhishand.

Hewasjustbeingagentleman,shetoldherself.Sheshouldn’treadanythingintohisactions.Onlyafewmoreweeks,

sheremindedherself.ShewouldseeKennyregularlythroughthetoydriveandthenhewouldbegonefromherlife.Shewouldallowherselftobehopefulandevenwistfulthroughtheholidays,rightupuntiltheNewYear.

Thenshewouldreturntoherhappy,busy,sensibleself.Henri’swasafive-star

restaurant.Baileywasn’tsurewhat,exactly,thatmeant,beyondthefoodbeinggood.Andprobablyexpensive.She’snevereatentherebefore.Infact,shehadn’tspentanytimeupattheresort,exceptwhenshe’dhelpedDellinawithaScorepartythereoverthesummer.

Shehadtoadmitthequietelegancewasverynice.Ahostesstooktheircoats,thenshowedthembacktotheirtable.JackandLarissaandSamandDellinawerestandingnexttoit,talking.Thefourofthemturned

andgreetedherandKenny.JackandSamsurprisedherbykissingheronthecheek.Herfriendshuggedher.Theywereallseatedandaserver

appearedwithabottleofchampagneandsixglasses.“There’salottocelebrate,”

Jacksaid,hisgazelockedfirmlyonLarissa,hisfiancée.“I’llsecondthat,”Sam

added.Theytoastedtheholiday

season.BaileysippedherbubblydrinkandtriednottostareatthebottleofDomPérignon—achampagneshe’donlyeverreadaboutin

booksorseeninmovies.Kennyleanedclose.“You

eatredmeat,don’tyou?”“Ofcourse.”“Howdoyoulikeyour

steak?”“Mediumrare.”Hegrinned.“Yougetmore

amazingeverytimeI’mwithyou.Wanttosplitthechateaubriandfortwo?”She’dseenitonthemenu.

Itwasaholidayspecialand

costmorethanherelectricandcablebillscombined.“I’veneverhaditbefore.

I’msureitwillbegreat.Thankyou.”“You’regoingtoloveit,”

hepromised.Theysippedchampagne

andtalkedaboutwhatwashappeningaroundtown.Dellinawasbusywithseveralholidayparties.“Januarysecond,we’reout

ofhere,”Samsaid,takinghiswife’shandinhisandkissingherknuckles.Baileyknewtheywere

headingofftoAustraliaandNewZealandforathree-weekbelatedhoneymoon.“I’llbebackintimeto

finalizeeverythingforyourwedding,”DellinatoldLarissa.Larissa,aprettyblonde

withaneasysmile,shookher

head.“Don’tworryaboutit.Ihavethedressandwe’reallsetforthevenue.”Kennynodded

approvingly.“You’resmart,”hetoldJack.“Nowayyou’llforgetyouranniversary.”BecauseJackandLarissa

weregettingmarriedonValentine’sDay.ItfellonaSaturdaynextFebruary.“Chloe’sexcited,”Bailey

said.“She’sneverbeena

flowergirlbefore.Shelovesherdress.”Theeventwasgoingtobe

aneveningaffair,hereattheresort.Jackhadalreadyarrangedforroomsfortheentireweddingparty,includingBaileyandChloe.BaileywasdeterminedthatshewouldbeoverKennybythen.Maybeshewouldevenbedatingsomeone.Althoughrightnow,that

seemedimpossibletoimagine.Whocouldbenicerorsweeterormorefuntobewith?Oh,thosefirstfewKenny-dietdaysweregoingtobeugly,shethought.Butnotsomethingshehadtoworryaboutnow.Theserverreappearedand

theyplacedtheirorders.JacktalkedabouthisnewjobatCalUFool’sGoldandKennymentionedafewclients.Talk

turnedtoholidayhappeningsintown.“We’redoingincredibly

wellonthetoydrive,”Baileysaid.“We’regoingtofillupourtrailerforsure.”“Letmeknowifyouneed

anythingextra,”Samsaid.“Me,too,”Jacktoldher.

“Takeadvantageofus.”“Hemeansfinancially,”

Kennysaid,glaringathisfriend.

“Iknewthat,”Baileytoldhim.“Iwillbeintouchifwefallshortonanything.”Theirsaladsandsoups

appeared.Baileyhadchosenthecrabbisque.Itcameinabeautifulgold-rimmedbowl.Therewasalittletowerofcrabinthemiddleofanemptybowl.Theserversetitinfrontofher,thenpouredsteamingbisqueintotheplate,followedbyadrizzleof

truffleoil.Thecombinationofsmellsmadeherstomachrumble.Conversationcontinued.

DellinaaskedaboutBailey’shouseandsheadmittedtobeingnervousaboutalltheworkshehadtodobetweenclosingandmoving.SamentertainedthemwithstoriesabouthisbawdyparentsandhowtheywerepressuringhimtogetDellinapregnant.

Partwaythroughthemeal,KennydrapedhisarmacrossthebackofBailey’schair.Shefeltenvelopedbyhiswarmthandwantedtoleanin.Butwhenhisfingertipslightlyrestedonhershoulder,sheallowedherselftopretend,ifjustforthatminute,thattheywereacouple.

***

“WHYDOWOMENgotothebathroominpacks?”Kennyaskedastheydrovebacktotown.Itwasafterelevenandthetemperaturewasinthelowtwenties.Butthesnowhadstoppedandtheroadwasplowed.Baileylaughed.“Idon’t

know.It’sjustathingwedo.Iguesswewanttotalkwithoutyouguysaround.”“Ifigured.Whilethethree

ofyouwereoffdoingyourthing,Jack,SamandIhadourownconversation.Whatareyoudoingaboutthemove?”“Ihavethenameofa

companyIwasgoingtouse.Why?”“We’lltakecareofit.You

don’thavealotofstuff.I’llrentatruckforthemorningoftheninth.You’llonlyneedtopackupthebreakables.

We’lltakecareoftherestofit.”Shestaredathim.“Ican’t

letyoudothat.”“TechnicallyIdon’tthink

youcouldstopme.I’mbiggerthanyou.”Hereachedacrosstheconsoleandsqueezedherhand.“Youhaveplentygoingon,Bailey.Thinkofitasaholidaysurprise.”Theunexpectedgesture

flooredher.Ifshedidn’thavetopayformovers,thatwouldmeananextrafourorfivehundreddollarsinherpocket.“Thankyou,”she

murmured.“Ireallyappreciatethehelp.”“It’swhatfriendsdo.”He

withdrewhishand.Theydrovethroughtown

andparkedinfrontofherbuilding.“Youdon’thavetowalk

meup,”shetoldhim.“Noway.Iwasraisedto

walkaladytoherdoor.”Hecamearoundthesideof

hisSUVandhelpedherout,thenfollowedheruptothefrontdoor.Baileybracedherselfforwhatwasgoingtobeanawkwardmoment.Becausetheyweren’tonadate.Therewouldn’tbeanykissing.Sowhatwasshesupposedtodo?Shakehis

hand?Theyreachedthedoorand

shegotoutherkey.Forasecondshethoughtaboutofferingcoffee.Onlyitwaslateandhemightthinkshewashopingformorethancoffee,whichshewas,butitwasprobablyforthebestifthatinformationwasn’tconfirmed.“Thankyoufortonight,”

shesaidwhenshe’dopened

thedoor.“Forthedinnerandtheoffertomoveourstuff.”“You’rewelcome.”Shestaredintohisface.He

wasagood-lookingguy,butthatwastheleastofit,shethoughtwithalittlesigh.Hisactionswereturningouttobeevenmoreimpressive.“Goodnight,”hesaidand

startedtoturnaway.“’Night.”Butbeforeshecouldstep

intoherapartment,hespunback,puthishandsonhershoulders,bentdownandkissedher.Thesoft,warmcontactof

hismouthonherscaughtherbysurprise.Shedidn’tknowwhattodo,soshestayedwhereshewas.Asecondpassed,thenanother.Hislipsmovedagainsther—lightly,sweetly.Sheleanedinalittle.Deepinsideshefelt

wantingandhunger.Fireburnedhotandbright.Buttherewasmorethanthat.Therewasasenseofrightness,ofbelonging.Asifshe’dbeenwaitingforthismoment,forthisman,allherlife.Hedrewback.“Good

night,Bailey.”Shenoddedandwatched

himgodownthestairs.Thenshewentintoherapartment

andclosedthedoor.

***

KENNYWENTOVERtheaccountinformation.HehadacoupleofclientmeetingsinJanuary.Andalistofnewclientshewantedtostartwooing.Thatwastheparthelikedbest.Meetingwithaclientforthefirsttimeandblowingthemaway.

Hecouldusuallygetameeting.Thatcamefromhavingarecognizablename.Butpeoplewhodidn’tknowhimoftenassumedhewasjustadumbjock.Theydidn’texpectmuch,whichgavehimanadvantage.Onehewasn’taboveusing.Hisphonebuzzed.“Yes?”“Youhaveavisitor,

Kenny,”thereceptionistsaid.

“HernameisChloe.”Hesmiled.“Sendher

back.”Hegotupandwalkedinto

thehallway.Hissmilewidenedwhenhesawher.Shehadonacoatandscarf,withabackpackoverhershoulders.Longredhairhungdownbelowherhood.“Kenny!”Sheflewtoward

himandhuggedhim.“It’ssnowingagain.Isn’tthatthe

best?We’regoingtohavesnowforChristmas.”“Iknow.Prettycool.”He

showedherintohisoffice.Ittookacoupleofseconds

forhertodropherbackpackonthefloor,thenshrugoutofhercoat.Hesawthereindeerbarrettesinherhairandfeltadistincttugginginthecenterofhischest.Chloewasasweetkidandshegottohim.“Howaboutacupof

coffee?”heasked,keepinghisvoiceserious.Chloegiggled.“I’mseven.

Idon’tdrinkcoffee.”“Right.Goodpoint.Let’s

gogetahotchocolate.”Hergreeneyeswidened.

“Youhavehotchocolateatyouroffice?”“Sure.Wehaveoneof

thosecoffeemakerswiththepods.It’lldoanything.”Theywalkedintothebreak

room.HeshowedChloehowtousetheKeurigbrewer.Shewatchedasherdrinkpouredintoamug.Therewasaplateofcookiesonthetable.Whilehiscoffeebrewed,theyeachpickedacookie,thentookthemandtheirdrinksbacktohisoffice.Shesatononesideofhis

desk,whilehetooktheother.Sheblewonherdrink

beforetastingit,thenshe

smiled.“Thisisreallygood.”“I’mglad.Sowhat’sup?”“Iwanttomakeajewelry

boxformymom,”shetoldhim.“ForChristmas.”Shedugsomesheetsoutofherbackpack.Itshowedhowtodecoupageaboxandthensealit.“I’vesavedmoneyfortheboxandIhavelotsofpicturestoputonit.ButmyfriendAllison’smomsaidI’llneedhelptogetitfinished.

Canyouhelpme?”Self-preservationmeant

sayingno.Chloe’sbiggreeneyestoldhimthatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Hewasindangerousterritory,butthatcouldn’tbehelped.“Surething.Wecangoget

thesuppliesnow,ifyouwant.Thenworkonitoverthenextfewdays.”Shesmiled.“Thankyou.I

alsoneedtogetmymom

somepresentsforherstocking.”Sheshrugged.“Iknowthere’snoSanta,butstockingsareimportant.Shedoesn’thaveone.Justme.Don’tyouthinkmymomshouldhaveastocking?”“Ido.Haveyouthought

aboutwhattoputinit?”“It’ssupposedtobefun

stuff.Candyandlittletoys.Maybealipgloss.”Shepulledseveralcrumbled

dollarbillsoutofherpocket.“Isthisgoingtobeenough?”Shemightaswellhave

reachedintohischestandpulledouthisstill-beatingheart,hethoughtashestaredatwhatlookedlikethreedollarsandchange.Kidsweretough—andthebestpartoflife.“Yeah,”hetoldher,trying

tokeepanyemotionoutofhisvoice.“That’splenty.”

BecausehewouldpayforwhateverChloewantedtoget.Notjustforthegirlherself,butforhermom,who’ddoneagreatjobwithherdaughter.

***

“THANKYOU,”BAILEYSAID,tellingherselfitwouldbebadtostartsobbing.Herrealestateagenthadbeen

incrediblysupportive.Breakingdownintears,howeverhappy,wouldonlyfrightenthewoman.Heragentsmiledather.

“MerryChristmas,Bailey.You’reahomeowner.”Baileynoddedandwalked

outoftheoffice.Sheclutchedherhousekeytightlyinherhand.Ithadreally,reallyhappened.Sheofficially,legallyandeveryotherl-y

wordshecouldn’tthinkofrightnow,ownedthehouse.Itwashers.Escrowhadclosed.Outsidetheskywasclear

andthesunshining.Therewereholidaydecorationseverywhere.Shewantedtostopeveryoneshepassedandtellthemthegoodnews.Sheownedherownhome!Butratherthanfrightenher

fellowcitizens,shewalked

towardthroughtownanduptowardhernewneighborhood.ShewantedtoseethehouseforjustafewminutesbeforeshewenttopickupChloefromschool.Fiveminuteslatershe

stoodonthesidewalkandtoldherselftokeepbreathing.Thatthiswasreallyhappening.Shestaredatthehouse

she’dboughtandfeltarush

ofgratitude.MovingtoFool’sGoldhadchangedeverything,shethoughthappily.Shehadagreatjob,friendsandafuture.Themayorhadgivenhertherestofthedayoff,alongwithMondayandTuesdaysosheandChloecouldgetmovedandsettledbeforetheholidays.Afewfriendswerecomingbyovertheweekendtohelpherpaint.Chloe’s

bedroomfurniturewouldbedeliveredonMonday.Whatmorecouldsheaskfor?Rightthen,afamiliardark

SUVpulledintoherdriveway.HeralreadythunderingheartkickeditupacoupleofspeedsasKennyclimbedout.“Congratulations,”hesaid.

“Youdidit.”“HowdidyouknowI’d

closed?”

“Yourrealestateagentcalledme.Iaskedherto.”Baileytriedtosummon

someindignation,butjustcouldn’t.“Somuchforherworkingforme.”Heflashedheragrin.“She

thoughtIwascharming.”“I’llbet.”Hemovedtotherearofhis

vehicleandpoppedthehatch.Insideweregallonsofpaint,tarpsandbrushes,alongwith

bagsfilledwithcleaningsupplies,Spackleandsandpaper.Shesighed.“Youpicked

upmyhardwarestoreorderforme?Thankyou.”“You’rewelcome.Come

on.Youcanhelpmecarryitinside.”Shetookafewshopping

bagswhilehegrabbedthreepaintcansineachhand.Shefollowedhimtothefront

doorandtriednottolethergazelingeronhisbutt.Althoughshehadtoadmititwasaprettyimpressivebutt.Kennylookedgreatinasuit,butinjeansandaleatherjacket,themanwasdevastating.Hebumpedhisshoulder

againstthefrontdoor.“Oh,letmeunlockthat,”

Baileytoldhim.“Notnecessary.”

Thedoorswungopen.Beforeshecouldfigureouthowthatwaspossible,shesawoveradozenwomenwaitinginhernewlivingroom.LarissaandIsabelstoodtogether,withDellinarightbehindthem.NoelleandPatience,Heidi,AnnabelleandCharlie,theHendrixtriplets,Consuelo,andevenMayorMarshawasthere.Theywerealldressedinjeans

andsweatshirts.“Surprise!”theyyelled.Baileyblinked.“Idon’t

understand.”Isabelhuggedher.“We’re

heretohelp.We’regoingtocleanandsandandpaintandputdownshelfpaper.BySundaynight,yourhouseisgoingtobereadyforyoutomovein.”Larissalaughed.“Don’t

looksosurprised.Welove

you.WewereplanningonhelpingwhenKennytalkedtomeaboutit.Thetwoofusarrangedeverything.”“I’monlunchduty,”

Noellesaid,pattingherstomach.“Ican’tdopaint,whatwithbeingpregnant.ButI’mhappytorunerrands.”Baileylookedatallher

friendsandfelttheiraffectionwashoverher.Turningto

Kennywasadifferentstory.Shewasafraidofwhathemightseeinhereyesifshelookedathimjustnow.“Idon’tknowhowtothank

allofyou,”shesaidhonestly.“Child,we’reyourfamily

now,”MayorMarshatoldher.“Allright,everyone,let’sgettowork.”BythetimeBaileyhad

collectedChloefromschool,herhousewascontrolled

chaos.CharlieStryker,afirefighterintown,hadtakencontroloftheworkparties.Thebathroomsandkitchenswerebeingscrubbedfromtoptobottom.KennyhadbeenjoinedbyJackandSam.Theywerehardatwork,preppingthewalls.“Iwanttocomplainabout

thetraditionaldivisionoflabor,”CharliesaidwhenBaileywalkedinwithher

daughter,“buttheguysaredoinggoodwork.SoIwon’t.”Baileylistenedtothe

happyconversationsfromeverycornerofthehouseandknewthatshewouldtreasurethismemoryalways.Asforthemanwhohadmadeithappen...well,thatwasaproblemforlater.

CHAPTEREIGHT

THEDAYBEFOREthemove,Baileypackedupherkitchen.Atleastthebreakableitems.Pots,pansandflatwareshesimplyplacedlooseinboxes.Shewasn’tgoingtomoveacrossthecountry—justafewblocksaway.

Theweekendhadbeenalotofwork,butsomuchhadbeenaccomplished.Thehousewascleanandpainted.Chloe’sbedroomwasabeautifullavendercolor,withthedoors,windowsandtrimalldoneinwhite.Baileyhadpickedasoftblue-grayforherbedroom,andamutedsage-greenfortherestofthehouse.Shestraightened,putting

herhandatthesmallofherback.Therewereachesandpainsfromallshe’dbeendoing,butitwasworthit.Rightafterlunchshewasmeetingthedeliveryguysatthenewhouse.TheywoulddeliverandputtogetherChloe’sbedroomfurniture.Tomorrowwasthemoveandthensheandherdaughterwouldbeintheirnewhome.Shepulledthestepstool

overtothecabinetabovetherefrigerator,thenclimbedup.Therewereonlyafewservingpiecesupthere—onessheusedforspecialoccasions,likeChristmasdinner.Assheloweredtheitemsto

thecounter,shesmiled.Therewasacrystalbowlsheusedeveryyear.Ithadbeaweddinggiftfromhergrandmother.Thebowlhad

beeninthefamilyfornearlyahundredyears.Whileshelovedthatbowl,forsomereason,Willhadloveditevenmore.HersmilefadedassherememberedhowhardlastChristmashadbeenandhowshehadn’tbotheredtogetdownthefancyservingpieces.Shejusthadn’tbeenabletofacethem.Nowshetouchedthebowl

andrememberedallthegood

timesthey’dhadasafamily.ShemightnothavebeenmadlyinlovewithWillbeforehedied,butshewouldalwaysrememberhowhe’dbeenagoodhusbandandfather.Shepickedupthecrystal

bowltowrapitandsawtherewasanenvelopetuckedinside.Hernamewasonthefront,inWill’shandwriting.Shestartedtoshake.After

pickinguptheenvelope,shewalkedovertothekitchentableandsatdown.SheopenedtheenvelopeandfoundaChristmascardinside.Sheopenedit.

Bailey, I’m puttingthis where I knowyou’ll find it onChristmas Eve. I’mheading outtomorrow and I

won’t be back forsix months. I’msorry to be awayfrom you andChloe,especiallyatthe holiday. KnowthatI’llalwaysloveyouboth,somuch.

Hereyesfilledwithtears.Shehadn’tfounditonChristmasEve,shethoughtsadly.Hadn’tknownheleft

it.Now,lookingback,shewonderedifhavinghiscardwouldhavemadelastChristmaseasierormoredifficult.Sheturnedthecardoverin

herhand,thengotupandtookitintoherbedroom.ShehadaboxofWill’sthingsshewassavingforherdaughter.WhenChloewasalittleolder,theywouldgothroughthemtogether.

Sheplacedthecardinsideandclosedthebox.Thenshegotbacktoherpacking.

***

KENNYWAITEDBYtheelementaryschool.Hewasacoupleofminutesearly,withhisSUVinlinewithalltheparentspickinguptheirchildren.InFool’sGoldmostkidswalkedhomefrom

school,sohewassurprisedatthenumberofdrivers.Thenhenoticedallthesportsequipmentandstickersforthingslikedanceanddramaandfiguredthekidsbeingpickedupwereheadingtoanactivity.HewasthereforChloe.

Baileywasfinishingupthelastofherpackingbeforethemovetomorrow,sohe’dscheduledhisstocking

shoppingtripwithChloeforthatafternoon.Baileyhadbeengratefultohavemoretimetogetworkdoneandhadtriedtogivehimmoneytopayforthestockingcontents,buthe’drefused.HewantedtobeapartoftheirChristmasmorning,howeverremotely.Thedoorstotheschool

openedandthefirstchildrenappeared.Hegotoutofhis

SUVandstoodbythepassenger’ssidesoChloecouldspothimeasily.Hewatchedasgroupsofgirlsandboyswalkedtogether,talkingandlaughing.Afewheadedforthecars,buttherestkeptgoingtowardhome.He’dwantedthis,he

admittedtohimself.Hell,hethoughthe’dhaditwithJames.He’dimaginedwhatitwouldbeliketotakehisson

tohisfirstdayofschool.He’dhadbigdreamsforthatkid.Ofcoursehe’dwantedhim

tobeafootballstarandgetthegirl,butmostlyhe’dwantedtowatchhimgrowupandhaveagoodlifeandbehappy.Whilehestillwantedthattohappen,hewouldneverbeapartofJames’slife.Astheseaofchildren

continuedtomovearoundhim,helethimselffeeltheemptinessthatwasalwaysthere.Thepainofwhathe’dlost—whatcouldn’tberecovered.InawayitwasworsethanifJameshaddied,becauseheknewtheboywasoutthere.Growingupwithouthim.Connectingwiththemanwhowashisbiologicalfather.KennyknewthatJames

hadbeenyoungenoughtoforgethim.Bynowhewasonlyadistantmemory.Eventuallyhewouldbelostcompletely.Nataliewasn’tgoingtoevertellhersonwhatshe’ddone.Noonesharedstoriesthatmadethemlookbad.Whichlefthimalone.He

knewheshouldmoveon.Findsomeoneelse.Startafamily.Andhewould.Itwas

justtherehadn’tbeenanyonewhosparkedhisinterest.NotuntilBailey—whichlefthimtotallyscrewed.“Kenny!”Helookedupandsaw

Chloewavingfrantically.Shehuggedherfriendgoodbye,thenrantowardhim.Shewassmallandskinnyandcompletelyadorable.Asshegotclose,shedroppedherbackpackandlaunched

herselfathim.Hecaughtherandheldherclose.“You’rehere!”shesaid,

hugginghimtight.“Iknewyouwouldbe.IwassoexcitedthatIhadtroublepayingattentionandmyteacherhadtogivemeayellowcard.”Sheleanedbackenoughto

lookintohiseyes.“That’sonlyonecardawayfromredandifyougetthreeredcards,

yourparentsarecalledin.MymomwoulddieifIgotredcards.”“Haveyouever?”“No.IlikeschoolandI

likefollowingtherules.Buttodaywashard.”Heloweredhertothe

ground.Shepickedupherbackpackandgrinnedagain.“We’regoingtogoshopping!”“Iknow.”

Heopenedthebackdoorforherandsheclimbedin.Whenherseatbeltwassecure,hewalkedaroundtothedriver’ssideandgotin.Whilehewasn’tgoingtoannounceitwithasmuchenthusiasm,hehadtoadmit,hewasalittlestokedabouttheirafternoon,too.“Ihavealist,”Chloetold

him.“IwanttogetaspecialChristmasornamentfromThe

ChristmasAtticandgloves.WesawtheminAuntIsabel’sstorelastweekandMomreallylikedthem.Butshesaidbecauseofthehouse,shewasn’tgoingtogetthem.”Intherearviewmirror,hewatchedasChloe’sexpressivefaceturnedserious.“Buyingahouseisabigresponsibility.We’regoingtobecarefulwithourmoneysowecanaffordit.

I’mhelping.I’mpracticingturningoffthelightswhenIleavetheroom,sowe’renotwastingelectricity.”“That’sverythoughtfulof

you.”“Momandmeareateam.

Beinginafamilymeanstakingcareofeachother.”Shebitherlowerlip.“Ithinkitwaseasierwhenmydadwaswithus.Becausetheycouldtakecareofeach

other.”Sheglancedatherlap,thenbackathim.“Doyouthinkmymomispretty?”Aquestionwithan

implicationheshouldhaveseencoming,hethought,pullingoutontotheroad.“Ido.”“Shesaysyou’renother

boyfriend.Thatyou’rejustfriends.”“That’strue.”“What’sthedifference?Is

itkissing?Becauseyoudon’tkissmymomandUncleFordkissesAuntIsabelallthetime.”“Someofitisthekissing,”

hesaid,ignoringthememoryoftheincrediblekissheandBaileyhadshared.She’daboutbroughthimtohiskneeswithachastekiss.Hedidn’twanttothinkaboutwhatwouldhappenifthingsgothotter.Notthatthey

would,becausehewasn’tgoingthere.Hetriedanot-so-subtle

distractionbyaskingwhichofthestoresshewantedtogotofirst.Luckyforhim,itworked.TheywenttoThe

ChristmasAttic.He’dneverbeeninsidebeforeanddespitethename,hewasn’texpectingquitesomuch...Christmas.Therewere

treesandornaments,stuffedanimals,decorationsandChristmasmusicplaying.“IknowwhatIwant,”

Chloesaidasshetookhishand.“Goodbecausethisplace

scaresme.”Shegiggled.“It’sokay.

You’resafewithme.”Thetreeswerealldone

withdifferentcolorsandstyles.Hepausedbyone

doneinprimarycolorswithMáa-zibtribalornaments.Chloemadeabeelineforonethatwasdecoratedinsilverandred,andpluckedaquirkyornamentfromonebranch,anelephantonrockers.“Thisone,”shetoldhim.Hetookitfromherand

theywenttopay.Thetallblondeatthecashregisterwrappeditintissue.“Iwonderedifyou’dbe

back,”shesaidtoChloe.“You’vebeeneyeingthisoneforawhile.”Chloenodded.“Youwon’t

tellher,willyou?”“Ofcoursenot.”The

womanlookedathim.“Hi.Wemetatthepaintingparty.I’mNoelle.”“Iremember.Hi.”Herbrowsrose.“Helping

Chloewithhershopping?”Thequestionwasn’ta

problem.Itwasthespeculativetonethathadhimshiftinghisweight.“Uh,yeah.”Hepassedoveratwenty.“Nice.”Heheldinagroan.There

werepartsofthisshoppingexpeditionhehadn’tthoughtthrough.Shehandedhimhis

change,gavethebagcontainingtheornamentto

ChloeandwishedthemamerryChristmas.Theirnextstopwas

Isabel’sstore.Fortunatelyshewastoobusytospeculate.Sheranguptheleather-glovepurchasewithonlyaharriedsmile.Kennytookthatbag,thenguidedChloeoutside.“What’snext?”heasked.“Candy.”Chloesmiled.

“Youhavetohavecandyinyourstocking.There’sastore

byMorgan’sBooksthatsellsfudge.MyfriendAllisonsaidtheyhaveChristmascandyinlittlebags.Thatwouldbenice.”“Soundsgood.”Kenny

glancedattheotherstoresinthesquare.Oneinparticularcaughthiseye.“Chloe,canIputsomethinginyourmom’sstocking?”“Sure.What?”Hepointedtothesignthat

readJenel’sGems,andsaid,“Let’sfindout.”Likeeveryotherbusiness

intown,Jenel’sGemswasdecoratedfortheholidays.ThereweretwinklelightsandaChristmastreeinthecorner.Theinsideoftheglassdisplaycaseshadshinyornamentsscatteredaround.Jenel,aprettyblondewith

aneasysmile,approached.“Hello.HowcanIhelpyou?”

“We’rebuyingsomethingformymom,”Chloetoldher.“Hownice,”Jenelsaid.

SheturnedtoKenny.“Whatkindofjewelrydoesyourwifelike?”Kennyfroze.“She’s,ah,

notmywife.We’refriends.Iwasthinkingofmaybea...”Hisgazefellononeofthecases.“Anecklace.”“Ofcourse.”Jenelmoved

behindthecounter.“Wehave

alargeselection.Whydon’tyoulookthemoverandtellmewhatappealstoyou.”Chloejoinedhim.Together

theystudiedthecirclesandhearts.Therewasasilversnowflake,butKennydidn’tthinkBaileywouldwearthat.“Ilikethatone,”Chloe

said,pointingtoastylizedheartthatwashangingalittleonitsside.Jenelpulleditoutandput

itonavelvettray.“Thisissterlingsilver.Aneighteen-inchchain.Itcomesindifferentsizes,anddifferentmaterials.”Hestudiedit.“Ilikeit

betterthantheheartsthatarestraight,”hesaid.“Me,too,”Chloetoldhim.

“It’shappierthatway.”“Whatelsehaveyougot

likethis?”heaskedJenel.“Letmeshowyou.”

Shebroughtoutsimilarheartsinyellowgold.Onehadafewlittlediamondsononeside.Thelastonesheshowedthemwasthesameheartcoveredinpavédiamonds,onaplatinumchain.“Look!”Chloesaid,

pointingtotheheart.“It’ssparklinginthelight.That’ssopretty.”“Iagree.”Helookedat

Jenel.“We’lltakethatone.”“Ofcourse.Wouldyoulike

metogift-wrapit?”“Please.”Chloeclappedherhands

together.“Mymomisgoingtolovethat.Ican’twaittoseeheropenit.”“Youwon’tsayanything,

though,right?”Shepressedherlips

togetherandmadeanXonherchest.“Ipromise.”

“Good.Arethereanypresentsunderthetree?”heasked.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.

“I’llgolook.”AssoonasChloewasout

ofearshot,heturnedtoJenel.“I’dlikethatsmallsilverheart,too,”hesaidquietly.Jenelnodded.“Forthe

littlegirl?”Henodded.“Ihavetheperfectchain.

Whensheoutgrowsit,wecanexchangeitforalongerone.”“Good.I’llpayforthese

nowandpickthemuplater.”Hedidn’twantChloetoseethesecondbox.Afterhe’dsignedthecredit

cardslip,hewalkedovertoChloe.Ontheway,hesawthedisplayofdiamondengagementrings.Forasecond,hewantedtostopandlook.Hewantedtodream

aboutpossibilities.BecauseChloewasn’ttheonlyVossfemaletuggingathisheartstrings.Onlyhewouldn’tgivein.

Wouldn’tthinkaboutwhatcouldbe.Hewassuccessfulinlifebecausehelearnedfromhismistakes.Andlessononewasnottorepeatthem.

***

BAILEYSTOODONthewalkwayinfrontofherapartment,preparedtogivethankstowhomeverhadarrangedforperfectweatheronhermovingday.Thesunwasout,thetemperatureshadclimbedtonearlyfiftyandtherewasn’tanywind.Shecouldn’thaveaskedformore.Atsomepointshewas

goingtohavetopauseandbegrateful.Whichshe

would...justassoonasshemanagedtorecoverfromtheshockofhermovingcrew.Aspromised,Kennyhad

comethroughwitharentaltruckandafewfriendstohelp.Butsomewherealongtheway,thefewfriendshadturnedintosomethingsomuchmore.SamandJackwerethere,

alongwithalltheguysfromthebodyguardschool.In

addition,therewereDellina’sbrothers-in-law,twoofthethreeStrykerbrothers,TuckerJanack,JoshGoldenandRaoulMoreno.Shethoughtitwasverypossiblethereweremoremenmillingaroundherplacethanshehadboxes.Kennyclimbedhalfwayup

thestaircase,thenturnedbacktothecrowd.“Allright,here’showwe’regoingtodoit.We’llemptyfromfrontto

backhereandloadfrombacktofrontatthenewplace.Ifyoupickupalamporatable,rememberwhereitcamefrom.You’llberesponsibleforgettingitintherightplace.Chloe’sfurnitureisbeingdroppedoffatthedonationcenter.Shehasanewsetwaitinginhernewhouse.Everythingelseisgoingwithus.”Hepaused.“Oh,andifyoubreakit,

you’rebuyinganewone.”JackglancedatBaileyand

winked.“WantmetodroptheTV?”“Onlyifyouwanttobuy

meanewflat-screen,”sheteased.“TheSuperBowlis

coming.You’llneedabigTVforthat.”Shelaughed.Therewasno

pointinmentioningthatfootballwasn’tasportthat

especiallyinterestedher.ExceptwhenitcametoKenny,shethought.Ofcourse,whenitcametoKenny,manythingsinterestedher.Whichwasallfineandgood,butshehadamovetofocuson.Kennyledthewayupinto

herapartment.Fasterthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible,itwasemptyandthetruckwasloaded.Hedroveittoher

newplacewhileeveryoneelsewalkedover.Asthetruckpulledintothedriveway,Baileysawitwasbarelyten-thirtyinthemorning.Atthisrate,shewasgoingtobemovedintodaywithnoproblem.Gettingeverythingintoher

housewentjustasquickly.Shestoodinthehallwaybythestairsanddirectedtheguys.Kennywasupstairsand

occasionallyyelleddownquestions.Aroundeleven-thirty

Dellinaandhertwosistersshowedupwithlunch.Thereweresandwichesandsoda,alongwithbrowniesandcookies.Baileyhadarrangedthelunchafewdaysagoandhadcalledthatmorningtouptheorderwhenshe’dseenhowmuchhelpshewasgoingtohave.Givenhowmuchthe

guysweredoingforher,itwastheleastshecouldoffer.Bytwelve-thirty,themenweregoneandBaileyfacedthedauntingtaskofunpacking.“We’renotleaving,”

Dellinatoldher,assheputsandwichwrappingsintoalargetrashbag.“That’sright,”Fayrene,her

sister,added.“We’regoingtohelpyouunpack.”

Baileyshookherhead.“Idon’twanttokeepyou.Ireallyappreciatetheoffer,butIcandoit.”Shewouldbeupallnight,

butshewouldgetitdone.“Don’tbesilly,”Dellina

said.“We’llgoroombyroom.We’llpullstuffoutofboxesandyoutelluswheretoputit.We’llbefinishedbeforeChloe’soutofschool.”Dellinaturnedouttobe

right.WithfourofthemunloadingboxesandBaileydirectingthemonwheretoputthings,theygotdishesintothecupboardsandfoodintothepantry.Whenthekitchenwasdone,therestofthehousewaseasy.She’dspentthepreviousafternoondrivingovercarloadsoftheirhangingclothes,sothatwasalreadyinplace.TheirfewDVDswerelinedupinthe

entertainmentunit.Chloe’sstuffedanimalswereinplaceupontheshelfKennyhadinstalledovertheweekendandthecleaningsupplieswereplacedneatlyontheshelvesinthelaundryroom.Attwo-forty-fiveBailey

huggedherfriendsgoodbyeandwalkedtowardChloe’sschool.Shewastiredandhappyandstillinshockoverhowthedayhadgone.Yes,

herfeethurtandherbackhurtandtherewereathousandthingstodo,butsheandChloehadtheirforeverhomeandnothingwasevergoingtobebetterthanthat.Chloeracedoutofschool

andranuptoher.“Didithappen?Areweinournewhouse?”“Weare.I’mveryexcited.”“Me,too!”Theywalkedbacktothe

house.Chloetoldheraboutschoolandhowallherfriendswantedtocomeover.“We’llhaveaparty,”

Baileypromised,thinkinghowgreatitwasgoingtobe.WithChloe’snewbedroomset,sleepoverswouldbeeasy.Theyroundedthecorner

andshesawKenny’sSUVparkedinherdriveway.Herchestgottight,herheartracedandtherestofher

sighedinanticipation.Shedidn’tknowwhyhe’dstoppedby,butthatwasokay.Seeinghimwasitsownreward.Butasshegotclosertothe

house,shesawhewasn’talone.Hesatontheirfrontporch,withalarge,fresh-cutChristmastreeleaningagainsttherailing.Chloeshriekedandranuptostare.“Ourtree,”shesaid

reverently.“Youremembered!”Baileyfollowedatamore

normalpace,butshewasshoutingontheinside.“Yougotusatree.”“YoupromisedChloeone

assoonasyougotthehouse.Ifiguredyoumightbetoobusytoday,soIpickedupthisone.Ihopeyoulikeit.”Likeit?Shelovedit.

And...well,maybehimas

well.Shewasn’tsure.Her

feelingswerestillallovertheplaceandshedidn’twanttoassignanametosomethingsowonderfulandhappy.TherewasalsothecomplicationofKennynotwantingtogetinvolvedwithher.Butallthatwasforlater.Hestoodandheldoutboth

hishands.“Comeon.Let’stakethetour.Thenwe’llget

thetreesetup.Ifyou’renicetome,I’llhelpwiththelights.”HeglancedatBailey.“Ithoughtwecouldorderinpizza.Youwon’twanttocooktonight.”“Thankyou,”shesaid.

Simplewordsthatdidn’tcomeclosetoexpressinghergratitudeforallhe’ddoneforher.Sheputherhandinhisand

hesqueezedherfingers.

Chloedancedonhisotherside.“Iwanttosee,”she

squealed.“Iwanttoseeeverything.”

CHAPTERNINE

BAILEYHELDHERhandspalm-up.“Ihonestlydon’tknowhowthishappened,”shetoldIsabel.“It’snotlikeheaskedme.Itwasjustsortofexpected.”Isabellaughed.“Aslongas

you’regoing.”“Idon’thaveanythingto

wear.”DinnerwithKenny’s

businesspartnerswasonething,buttheScoreChristmaspartywassomethingelse.Forstarters,severalclientshadbeeninvited.Shedidn’tknowwhattosaytoamanwhoownedacompanythatrentedoutprivatejetstorichpeople.Oracouplethatownedaworldwiderumbrand.ButKennyhadmentioned

thepartyacoupleoftimes

andshe’dfinallyrealizedthatshewashisdate.Notthattheyweredating.Orkissing.Therehadn’tbeenasinglekisssincethatone.ThisdespitethefactthatshesawKennynearlyeveryday.Shetriedtotellherselfthemanhadextraordinarycontrol,onlyshewasafraidthetruthwasmuchlessflattering.Hereallywasjustfriendswithher.

Eitherway,shewasgoingtotheScoreChristmasparty,whichwasgoingtobeanelegantaffairupattheresort.Dellinahaddroppedhintsaboutthedecorationsfortheballroomandwhattheguestswouldbeeating.Theinvitationhadstatedblacktieveryclearly.AndasBaileydidn’townatux,shewasforcedtofindadress.Whichwaswherehervisit

toIsabel’sstorehadcomein.“Ihaveyoucovered,”

Isabelpromised.Baileynodded,tryingto

tellingherselfeverythingwouldworkout.Onlyshedidn’tseehowshecouldaffordanicedress,alongwiththeaccessories.Itwasn’tlikeshewasbuyingsomethingforwork,whereshecouldjustifythecostknowingshewouldwearit

weeklyforthenexttwoyears.Isabelwentintotheback

roomofherstore,thenreturnedwithalongdress.Baileyfeltherbreathcatchasshestaredatthestunninggown.Itwassimple—ablack

liningwithgoldbeading.Theneckwasroundandnottoolow,thecapsleevesaddedinterestattheshoulder.

Isabelhandedherthedressandpushedhertowardthechangingrooms.“Tryiton.”Baileydidasshe

requested.Shenoticedtherewasnopricetag,whichmadehernervous.Butshesteppedintothedressandpulleditup.Thelongzipperclosedmoreeasilythansheexpected.Asshewasonthebridalsideofthestore,therewerenomirrorsinthedressingroom,

soshehadtogoouttoseehowshelooked.Isabelsmiledwhenshe

sawher.“Iknewit.Tryonthese.”“These”wereapairof

simpleblackpumpswithkillerfour-inchheels.Baileymanagedtostepintothemandstandwithouthurtingherself.Shesteppeduptothebridalmirrorandglancedatherreflection.

“Wow.”“Iknow,right?”Isabel

steppedupbehindher.“Thefitisincredible.Youlooklikeamoviestar.”Baileythoughtmaybeher

friendwasexaggerating,butshewouldacceptthecompliment.Thegoldbeadingaddedawarmthtoherskinthatmadeitglow.Thecolorwasperfectwithherredhair.Thedressitself

huggedhercurves,butinthebestwaypossible.ShelookedlikearedheadedKimKardashian.“Iloveit,”sheadmitted.

“Buthowmuchisit?”Isabelwrinkledhernose.

“Don’tgetmad,butit’snotoneofmine.It’sarental.Ifoundthesiteonlineandhadthemovernightthedresstome.”ShehandedBaileytheinvoice.“Consideringthe

retailvalueofthedress,it’sabargain.”Baileyhadtoagree.She

couldrentthedressfortheweekforlessthanahundreddollars.“Thankyou.”“You’rewelcome.The

shoesareTaryn’s.Shealsosentoverabagandsomejewelry.”Isabelgrinned.“Becauseshelovesyou.”“Iloveherback.”Bailey

glancedatthehighheels.“I

shouldhaverecognizedthemasbeingfromhercollection.”Shesteppeddownandthey

openedtheboxthathadarrivedfromTarynthatmorning.InsidewasaJudithLieberblack-and-goldclutchandapairofdiamond-studearrings.“Idon’twanttoknowwhat

thosecost,”Isabelmurmured.“Me,either.”Baileytold

herselfshewasn’tgoingto

cry.“Whendidshegetbackfromhertrip?”“Yesterday.”AndTarynhaddonethis

forhertoday.“I’mgoingtohavetogiveherakidneyorsomethingtosaythankyou.”Isabelhuggedher.“Itwill

makeherhappytoseeyoulookinglikeaprincess.”“IthinkI’dratherbeasex

goddess.”“That,too.”

***

BAILEYDIDN’TKNOWwheretolookfirst.Theballroomhadbeendecoratedinwhite.Whitetrees,whitetwinklelights,whiteflowersonwhitetablecloths.Therewereperfectredaccents—aredribbonrunningdownthecenterofeachtable.Asingleredroseateveryotherplacesetting.Formallydressed

servingstaffcirculatedwithglassesofchampagne.Shewasoutofherelement,butpreparedtohavethetimeofherlife.Havinganincredibly

handsomemanathersidecertainlyhelped,shethought.Kennyhadshownupontime,lookingmovie-stargorgeousinatailoredtux.Butwhatreallygotherheartbeatingfastwasthelookonhisface

whenhesawher.Themomentofappreciationandrawdesirehadgonealongwayinuppingherconfidencequotient.Now,astheycirculated

throughtheparty,hekepthishandonthesmallofherback.Whentheystoppedtotalktoclients,hekepthishandpossessivelyonherhip.Shetoldherselfnottoreadtoomuchintohisactions,butshe

couldn’thelpthelittleripplesofexcitementthatzippedthroughher.Theguywhoownedthejet

companyturnedouttobeprettynice.Hiswife,astay-at-homemom,usedherphonetoshowoffpicturesoftheirkids.“IseeTaryn,”Baileytold

Kennyafewminuteslater.“Ineedtotalktoherforasecond.”

“Don’tgofar.”“Iwon’t.”Latertherewas

supposedtobedancing.BaileyhopedKennyplannedtodancethenightawaywithher.Whowouldn’twantthatinherfuture?Sheexcusedherselfand

crossedtheroomtowardherfriend.Tarynhadonablack,strapless,fittedeveninggownthatsparkledanddazzlednearlyasmuchasthewoman

herself.Herhairwaslongandstraight,hermakeupdramatic.Largediamondsgleamedfromherearsandaroundherwrists.Shelookedexotic,wantonandpowerful.Baileygaveherselfa

secondtoadmiretheview,thenapproachedherfriend.Tarynsawherandhurriedover.“Youlookfantastic,”

Tarynsaid.“MyGod,every

guyintheplaceisgoingtowanttohaulyouoffandhavehiswaywithyou.”“Oh,please,”Baileysaid.

“Asif.Youlookamazing.”Taryndismissedthe

complimentwithaflickofherwrist.“Thisoldthing?Wejustgotbacktwodaysago.Ididn’thavetimetoshop.Notthatanyoneherehasseenthedress,butstill.”Baileylaughed.Obviously

hermonthawayhadn’tchangedTarynatall.Itwasgoodtoknowthatsomethingswereconsistent.“Thankyouformyaccessories.”Sheheldupthebagandpointedtotheearrings.“You’reverysweettome.”“Don’tsaythatoutloud,”

Taryntoldher,glancingaroundasshespoke.“YouthinkIwantpeopletoknow

I’mnice?”Baileygrinned.“Sorry.I

won’tsayanything.Howareyou?Howwasyourtrip?”“Wonderful.Romantic.

Angelisagod—notthatIwanthimtoknow.”ShetookBaileybythearmandledhertoanalcoveinthecorner.“Ineedtotalktoyou.”Gonewastheteasingand

sassyattitude.Taryn’seyeswerewideandfilledwithan

emotionBaileydidn’trecognize.Onanyoneelseshewouldhavesaiditwasfear.“What’swrong?”Taryndrewinabreath.“I

think,ImeanI’mprettysure...”Sheswallowed.“I’mpregnant.”Baileylaughed.“That’s

wonderful.Youscaredme.Aren’tyouhappy?”“Happy?No.Terrified.I’m

notlikeyou.I’mnotsweetorgivingorhuggy.Iwanttobeagoodmom,butwhatifIscrewup?Whatifmykiddoesn’tlikeme?”Tearsfilledhereyes.“Youdon’tunderstand.Ihadhorribleparents.Idon’tknowhowtodothis.”Baileywrappedherarms

aroundherfriend.“You’llbefine.Trustme.Youhaveeverythingyouneedinsideof

you.You’rewarmandcaring.I’mwearingtheshoesthatproveit.Youknowhowtolove.That’sallchildrenwant.Tobeloved.You’llprovideastablehomeandlotsofattention.It’sgoingtobefine.”Tarynsteppedback.“I’m

notconvinced.Canyouteachmehowtobemorelikeyou?”Baileyheldinmore

laughter.“Sure.Wecanstartrightawaysoyou’reready.”“Okay.Thankyou.I’mnot

goingtotellanyoneelseuntilI’minmyfourthmonth.Justtobesureeverythingisokay.ButIwantedtotellyou.”Shesniffed.“Doyouthinktheymakecouturematernityclothes?”Baileylaughed.“I’msure

ofit.”

***

PARTOFGROWINGupwithaparentintheStateDepartmentandlivingoverseasmeantlearningtoadjusttodifferentculturesandtraditions.Kennyhadgottengoodatadaptingwhennecessary.Itwasaskillthathadservedhimwellonthefootballfieldandinlife.Butnomatterhowhesmiledand

talkedwithhisbusinesspartners,hisfriendsandclients,hecouldn’tshakethesensationofsomethingnotbeingright.Maybeitwasthetux.He

wouldratherbeinjeans.Maybeitwasthepartyitself—toomanypeoplehavingtoomuchfun.Onlyhelikedpartiesandheenjoyedtheholidaysandhell,wearingatuxnowandthenwasn’tabig

deal.Sowhydidhekeepfeelingasifhiscollarwastootightandthatheshouldbescanningtheroomforexits?Themostobviousreason

wasstandingabouttwofeetaway,laughingatsomethingJackhadsaid.Inaword—Bailey.Shelookedstunninginherblack-and-goldeveninggown.Sexyandbeautifulandmoretemptationthananymanshouldhavetoresist.

Theproblemwasn’tthathewantedher.Hecouldacceptthelonging,theheatedblood,theneedtopullherintoadarkcornerandkissheruntilneitherofthemcouldbreathe.Thatwasfine.Desirewaseasy.Familiar.Comfortable.No,whathadhimunabletorelaxwasmorecomplicatedandalotmoreterrifying.Itwasthathelikedher.He

likedhangingoutwithher.

Helikedlisteningtohertalkandthesoundofherlaughter.Helikedhowshepaintedaroomandbakedcookiesandtookcareofherdaughter.Helikedhowhefeltwhenhewasaroundher.Helikedthatshemadehimfeelprotective.Hewantedtotakecareofher,tobewithher.Hewantedtobeapartofherandherdaughter’slives,andthatwaswhereitallwentsidewaysfor

him.Thebattleofwhathe

wantedandwhatheknewwassafewasn’teasy.Tellinghimselfthatshewasn’thisexdidn’thelpthesituation.Becauseintheend,hecouldstillloseher.Thatwasbadenough,buttoalsoloseChloe—hedidn’tthinkhecouldsurvivethelossofbothofthem.Still,whenshewalkedup

tohim,hecouldn’thelpleadingherontothedancefloor.Shefitintohisarms

perfectly.Withherheels,shewastallerthanusual,soherbodynestledagainsthis.Hersmilecalledtohim,asdidherbeautifuleyes.Howwashesupposedtoresisther?Howwashesupposedtosavehimself?Aftertheholidays,hetold

himself.Thenhewouldbackoff.Becausewhiletherewassomedanger,itwasn’tasifhewasinlovewithher.Notyet,atleast.

***

“WHATDOYOUTHINK?”Baileyaskedasshewalkedaroundthediningroomtable.Itwasold—probablyfromthe1920s.Abeautifuldark

woodwithjustenoughcarvingtomakeitinteresting.Thereweresixmatchingchairs,alsoingoodcondition.Thecushionsneededrecoveringbutsheknewhowtodothat.Thebestpartofthesetwasthebuffet.Therewasabigscratchononeside,whichwasprobablythereasonthesethadn’tsoldyet.ButinBailey’sdiningroom,thebuffetwouldslideintoan

alcove.Withonlysixinchesofclearanceoneitherside,noonewouldseethescratch.Chloestudiedthepieces.

“It’sreallynice,Mom.Ilikethewayitshines.CouldIhelppickoutthefabricforthechairs?”“Ofcourse.We’llgetnew

cushionsandthencoverthemourselves.”“You’regoingtoteachme

how?”

Shepulledherdaughterclose.“Iwill.It’sgoingtobeagreatweekendproject.”Heroldtablestillworked,

butitwaslostintheirnewdiningroom.Plus,she’dalwayswantedabuffet.Shealreadyhadaprettyvaseshecouldsetonit.Sheknewthefour-

hundred-dollarpricetagwasabargain.Thissetwasmadeofsolidwood.Itwouldlast

anothercouplehundredyears.Therehadbeenasignoutfrontofferingdeliveryintownforonlytwenty-fivedollars.Shehadthemoneyfromwhatshe’dsavedonthemove.Chloesqueezedherhand.

“It’sokay,Mom.Wehaveanicehousenow.”Baileysmiledather

daughter.“You’reright.Thenewhousedeservesa

beautifuldiningroom.Let’sgetit.”Theywentandfoundthe

ladymanagingthesale.SheputaSoldtagonthefurnitureandarrangedfordelivery.BaileyandChloewanderedaroundalittlemore.Theoldfarmhousewas

filledwithplentyoffurniture,alongwithdishes,paintingsandotherhouseholdgoods.Baileylingeredoveraboxof

oldrecords.Kennylikedoldies,shethought.Andshe’dyettofindaChristmaspresentforhim.Whatdidyougetthemanwhonotonlyhadeverything,butalsohadtheabilitytobuyitagainandagain?Sheflippedthroughthe

albums,notsurewhatheliked.ShesawanalbumbytheDoors.Therewassomethingscribbledonthe

frontofit.Shepulledoutthealbumandcarriedittothewindow.“Really?”Baileyaskedina

whisperasshestudiedwhatturnedouttobeasignature.ShewasprettysureitwasJimMorrison.WashetheleadsingeroftheDoors?Hadn’thediedyoungorsomething?Herworkingknowledgeof

musicfromthe1960swas

sketchyatbest,butasthealbumwaspricedatfivedollars,shewaswillingtotakeachance.ShecouldcallGideon,theownerofFool’sGold’sradiostationsandanoldiesfanhimself,andaskhimifthiswassomethingKennywouldlike.“Mom,look!”Chloeheldupanold-

fashionedChristmasornament.Itwasofafootball

player.Hewasholdingtheballinhisarms.“ItremindsmeofKenny,”

herdaughtersaid.“Let’sgetitforthetree.”“Sure,”Baileysaid

automatically,doingherbesttoremaincalmontheoutside.Butontheinside,alarmswentoff.Becauseuntilthisverysecond,she’donlybeenworriedaboutherownheart,whenitcameto

Kenny.Shehadn’tthoughtthatChloecouldbefallingforhim,aswell.Panicsetin,andwithita

fierceneedtoprotectherdaughter.BecauseKennyhadmadeitclearhewasn’tinterestedinforeverandanythinglesswoulddevastateChloe.She’dalreadylostherfather—shedidn’tneedthepainoflosingsomeoneelsenearlyaswonderful.

“Mom?”Baileyforcedasmile.“It’s

adorableandyes,weneeditonourtree.”Howtofixthis,she

wondered.Aproblemshewouldwrestlewithwhenshegothome,shepromisedherself.BecauseshehadtokeepChloesafe.Theypaidforthedining

set,thealbumandtheornament,thentheystarted

towardhercar.She’djustreacheditwhenhercellphonerang.SheglancedatthescreenandsawKenny’sname.Forasecond,shethoughtaboutnotanswering,butthatwasneitherhelpfulnormature.“Hi,”shesaid,telling

herselftoignorethenow-familiarquiveringthataccompaniedeitherseeinghiminpersonherhearinghis

voice.“Bailey,Idon’tknowwhat

tosay.They’regone.”Hisvoicewasthickwith

tensionanddisbelief.Thequiveringdisappearedandworrytookitsplace.“What’sgone?What’s

goingon?”“Thetoys.Iemptiedthe

barrelsthismorninganddroveouttoloadtheminthetrailer.Thelockisbrokenand

thetrailer’sempty.Allthetoysaregone.”

CHAPTERTEN

ITDIDN’TTAKElongforwordtospreadandpeopletostartshowingupattheemptytrailer.AcoupleofwomenKennydidn’tknowstoodtalkingontheircellphones.AfewofBailey’sfriendsherecognizedbutcouldn’tnamewerestandingtogetherlookingstunned.

KennystayedbyhisSUV.Hecouldseeinsidethelargeemptyspace.Therewasnothingleft.Notevenpartofacartonorsometornpackaging.Whoeverhadtakenthetoyshaddoneathoroughjob.Heknewthiskindofthing

happenedallthetime.Peoplestolefromfoodbanksandtookdeliveriesoffneighbors’porches.Buthehadn’t

realizeditcouldhappenhere.InFool’sGold.Thingsweresupposedtobebetterhere.Therewasn’talotofcrime.Fromwhathe’dheard,peoplebarelylockedtheirdoorsatnight.Itwasthatkindofplace.Onlynotanymore.Andif

someonecouldstealtoysmeantfordisadvantagedchildren,thenotherbadthingscouldhappen.People

couldgetsickanddie.Petscouldbelost.Andgreen-eyedredheadscoulddecidetheydidn’twanttohaveanythingtodowithhim.BaileycouldwalkawayandtakeChloewithher,andhewouldbeleftwithnothing.Hisheartstolen,justlikethetoys.MayorMarshaarrivedina

smallredcar.Shegotoutandwalkedovertohim.“Ithastobesomeonefrom

outoftown,”shesaidbywayofgreeting.“IrefusetobelievethatapersonIknowwoulddothistotheSprouts.Thosegirlsaregoingtobeheartbroken.”Somethinghehadn’t

thoughtof,herealized.WhatwouldChloeandherfriendsthinkwhentheyfoundoutwhathadhappened?They’dworkedhardontheirproject.They’ddecoratedthebins

andhadspenttimeaskingfordonations.“Thenthere’sthematterof

thechildreninSacramento,”themayorcontinued.“WehavetomakesuretheyhaveagoodChristmas.”Baileyarrived.Chloewas

withher,theseven-year-old’seyesfilledwithtears.“Aretheyreallyallgone?”

sheaskedassherusheduptohim.

“Afraidso.”Chloeturnedtohermother.

“Mommy,Idon’tunderstand.”“Me,either.”Baileyputan

armaroundher.Togethertheystaredintotheemptytrailer.“Itwasnearlyfull,”Bailey

murmured.“Peopleweresogenerous.”Shelookeddevastated.He

wantedtogotoherandhold

hertight.Hewantedtomakethingsright.Whichmeanthewasindeeperthanhe’drealizedandhe’dbetterretreatwhilehestillcould.“I’llwriteacheck,”he

said.Baileyandthemayor

staredathim.Hemotionedtotheempty

trailer.“I’llwriteachecktocovereverythingtaken.Wecangobuymorepresents.”

“Idon’tthinkthat’snecessary,”MayorMarshasaid.“Ithinkthetowncanfixthisproblem.”“Iagree.”Baileysmiledat

him.“Butthankyouforbeinggenerous.”Hewasn’t.Didn’tshesee

that?Hewastryingtobuyhiswayoutofadifficultsituation.Becausehecould.Becausehecouldn’triskgivinganythingelse.

“Letmeknowifyouchangeyourmind,”hemumbledandreturnedtohisSUV.“Kenny,wait.”Bailey

hurriedafterhim.“Wehavealottodotomakethisright.”Heshookhishead.“Angel

andTarynarebackintown.It’stheirproject.Letthemfixit.”Hedidn’tturnaround.He

didn’twanttoseetheshock

onherfaceorthehurtinhereyes.Hedidn’twanttheproofthathe’dhurther.Eventhoughheknewhehad.

***

ASBAILEYHADEXPECTED,thetownrallied.Thetrailerwasmovedintoanemptywarehousewithlockeddoorsandanimpressivesecuritysystem.Thepolice

departmentofferedtopatrolthearearegularly.Oncewordwentout,presentsstartedpouringin.Thebinsfilledupsoquickly,Baileyarrangedtimesforpeopletogodirectlytothewarehousewiththeirdonations.Duringthosecollectiontimes,oneoftheguysfromthebodyguardschoolwasonhandasextrasecurity.Notthattherehadbeenaproblem.

BaileytookthelastofthepackagesthatDeniseHendrixhaddroppedoffandwalkedtothelargetrailer.Angel,ondutywithhertoday,carrieditinside.Chloestudiedallthetoys

inplaceandsmiled.“We’regoingtodoit,Mom.We’regoingtofillthetraileragain.”“Iknowweare.”Herdaughterleaned

againsther.“I’mgladpeople

arehelping.”Angeljumpeddownfrom

thetrailer,thensquattedinfrontofChloe.“Whatdoyouthinkaboutthepeoplewhostolethepresents?”heasked.“Idon’tknow,”Chloe

admitted.“Iguessthey’rebad.TheystoleatChristmas.Theystoletoys.”“Iagree.”Hestaredinto

hereyes.“Therearealwaysgoingtobebadpeople.But

thethingtorememberisthatmostofusaren’tlikethat.”Hepointedtothetoys.“Howmanyfamilieshavedonatedtoys?”“Alot.”“Right.Andmaybetwoor

threepeoplestolethem.There’smoreofusthanthem.Goodpeoplecanmakeitright,ifyougivethemachance.Rememberthat.Everyonewholovesyouand

yourfriendscamethroughwhenyouneededhelp.Butmoreimportant,peopleinthistownwhohavenevermetyouwantedtohelp.”“Becausethey’renice?”“Yeah.”Hestood.Baileylistenedtohim

explainwhathadhappenedwithaclaritythatmadehergrateful.SheandChloehadhadseveralconversationsonthetopic,butshehada

feelingthisonehadbeentheonetogetthrough.Herdaughtertookher

hand.“I’mgladwe’rehelpingthosekidsinSacramentoandI’mreallygladwehavesuchanicetown.”“Me,too.”Angelwalkedtothetrailer

andswungthedoorsshut.“Allright.Youtwocanheadout.I’lllockthedoorsandarmthealarm.”

“Thanks.”SheledChloetotheircar.

Therewereonlyacouplemoredaysuntilthetoydelivery,butshewasn’tworried.Theywouldmakeit.ThenitwouldbeChristmasandthestartofaNewYear.Usuallysheenjoyedthe

holidays.SincehavingChloe,they’dbecomenearlymagical.She’dhadhighhopesforthisseason,atleast

untilthreedaysago.Becauseeversincethetoyshadbeenstolen,Kennyhaddisappeared.Hehadn’tcalledheror

stoppedby.Theyhadn’tspoken.Shehadn’tevencaughtsightofhimintown.Tarynhadn’tsaidanything,soBaileyknewthathehadn’tbeeninanaccidentorgottensick,buthehaddisappeared.Shewantedtotellherself

thattherewereathousandexplanations.Theproblemwas,shecouldn’tthinkofasingleonethatexplainedwhyhehadn’tbeenintouchwithher.Ifonlytosayhewasbusy.OrdrivingtoBoraBora.Itwasn’tthathe’dlefther

todealwiththetoydriveonherown.Itwasthatshe’dmissedhim.Inthepastfewweeks,she’dgrownusedto

seeingKennyeveryday.Shelikedtalkingtohimandsimplybeinginhiscompany.Herfeelingsforhimhadgrowntothepointwherehewaspartofherworld.Lettingthatgowasgoingtobedifficult.Ignoringherownbruised

heart,therewasalsoChloetoworryabout.Sofarherdaughterhadn’tmentionedKenny,butitwasonlya

matteroftimeuntilthequestionsstarted.AndBaileyhadnoideahowshewasgoingtoanswerthem.

***

TARYNTOOKAsipfromherScoremugandshuddered.KennylookedbackattheKeuriginthebreakroom.Theusedpodwasstillinplace.Heraisedhis

eyebrows.“Hotchocolate?You?”Shesighed.“Iknow.But

it’stheseason,right?”“Youdrinkcoffee.Or

water.”“NowIdrinkhot

chocolate.”Shegrimaced.“Ornot.”Hestudiedhisbusiness

partner.Somethingwasdifferent,hethought,buthewasn’tsurewhat.Tarynwas

wearingoneofherstylishsuitswithstitchinganddartsandwhatevermadeitcontourtotheshapeofherbody.Shewasbarefoot,asperusual.Herridiculoushighheelslookedgood,butsheonlyworethemwalkingintooroutoftheoffice.Duringthedayshewasbarefoot.Shelookedhappy,he

thought.Buttherewassomethinginhereyes.Maybe

asecret?Notthathewasgoingtoask.Rightnowhewasabigbelieverineveryonekeepingtheirthoughtstothemselves.Shesetdownhermugand

walkedtothebowloffruitonthecounter.Shepickedupanapple,washedit,thentookabite.“Sowhat’snewwithyou?”

sheaskedwhenshe’dchewedandswallowed.“How’sit

comingwiththetoys?Iheardthetownhasrespondedasyou’dexpectfromthisridiculouslyniceplace.Toysarepouringinbythebucketful.”Theonethinghedidn’t

wanttotalkabout.No—thetoysweresymptomatic.Baileywastherealsubjecthewantedtoavoid.Yethewantedtohearhowshewas.Itwaslessthanaweekuntil

Christmas.Wasshesettledinherhouse?WasChloeexcitedaboutherpresents?Whatweretheirtraditions?Andhowwashegoingtomakeitthroughwithoutbeingwiththetwoofthem?“Kenny?”HesawTarynfrowningat

him.“What?”“Areyouokay?”“I’mfine.”“That’sacompleteguy

response.Talktomelikeahumanbeing.What’sgoingon?Areyoufeelingallright?”“Sure.Neverbetter.”Shedidn’tlookconvinced.

“Youdidn’tanswermeaboutthetoydrive.”“Youseemtohaveallthe

answers.”Shedumpedhermuginto

thesinkandquicklyrinsedit,thenpickedupherhalf-eaten

apple,grabbedhimbythehandanddraggedhimintoheroffice.Whentheygotthere,shebumpedthedoorclosedwithherhipandpositionedherselfinfrontofhim.“What?”shedemanded.

“You’renotgettingoutofhereuntilyoutellmewhat’sgoingon.Anddon’tthinkIwon’tbeatitoutofyou.”“Nothing’sgoingon.I

don’tknowwhat’shappeningwiththetoydrivebecauseI’mnotdoingitanymore.”“Whynot?Ithoughtyou

werehelpingBailey?”“YouandAngelareback.

Whydon’tyoutakeitover?”“Baileysaidshewantedto

finishitwiththeSprouts.Ithoughtyoufeltthatway,too.”Hepacedtoherwindow,

thenturnedbacktoher.“It’s

stupid.Thewholething.IsaidI’dwriteacheck.Wecouldhavejustboughtthetoys.”“NowyousoundlikeJack

didsixmonthsago.Moneydoesn’talwayssolvetheproblem.Besides,peopleliketogive.Theyliketobeapartofthesolution.What’swrongwithyou?Isityourfamily?IfyouwanttogowiththemtoBali,youknowwe’llbefine

here.”“It’snotthat.”“Thenwhat?”Sheaskedthequestion

gently.WhileTarynwasallaboutthethreats,inherheart,shewasamarshmallow.Shetookcareofallofthem—shehadfromtheverybeginning.TarynwasthegluethatheldScoretogether.Shewalkedupbehindhim

andputherhandonhisarm.

“Kenny,”shesaidsoftly.“Tellme.”Hecontinuedtostareout

window.“Ican’tdoit.Ican’t.WhenIlostJames...”Heswallowed.“Ilovedhimanditwaslikehedied.Onlyworse,becauseIknewhewasaroundandIcouldn’tbewithhimanymore.”Shesteppedcloserand

wrappedherarmsaroundhim.Hepulledheragainst

himandhungon.“Icouldhavesuedfor

visitation,”hecontinued,rememberinglongtalkswithhislawyer.“Ihadagoodcase.Butwhatwasthepoint?Hewasthree.Hewouldforgetme.Whatwouldhappenwhenhewassixoreight?Iwouldjustbesomeguyhehadtospendtimewith.It’snotlikeIwashisrealdad.”

“I’msorry,”shewhispered.“Me,too.Ican’tgo

throughthatagain,Taryn.Ican’tlovesomekidonlytoloseher.Whenthosetoyswerestolen,itchangedeverything.I’dstartedthinkingthatbadstuffcouldn’thappenhere.Stupid,huh?”“No.There’ssomething

aboutthisdamntown.Itmakesyoucrazy.Worse,it

makesyouhope.”“You’vegotAngel.You

canrelax.”“Iknow,butIwantyouto

behappy,too.”Shelookedupathim.“Baileyisn’tanythinglikeNatalie.Shewouldneverdeceiveyou.She’dneverhurtyou.”Hestaredintoherviolet-

blueeyes.“Iagreeshe’sabetterperson,butshe’salsostillamother.Chloecomes

firstandifthingswentsouth,I’dlosebothofthem.”“Sothatmeansyou’renot

evengoingtotry?”“Iwon’ttakethechance.”Sheshiftedsoshewas

standinginfrontofhim—bothherhandsonhischest.“Kenny,youwouldrunintoathree-hundred-pounddefensiveendwithoutblinking.”Heshrugged.“That’sjust

physicalpain.Thebodyheals.Theheart’snotsuchasurething.”“Iagreethere’sarisk,but

therewardcouldbeeverythingyou’veeverwanted.Don’tyouwanttobetheonepersonBaileycandependon?Don’tyouwanttobewithheralways?Don’tyouwanttowatchChloegrowupintoabeautifulyoungwomanandwalkher

downtheaisle,thenholdherbabiesoneday?”Itwaslikeshe’dstabbed

himwithaknife.Hecouldseethatasclearlyasifitwashappeningrightinfrontofhim.BaileyandChloeandthethirdgenerationofredheadedVosswomen.Heallowedhimselfto

dreamforjustasecond,thenheshookhisheadandphysicallysteppedback.“I

can’t.”“Youwon’t.There’sa

difference.”“Notabigenoughoneto

matter.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

BAILEY,TARYNANDtheSproutsstoodonthesidewalkbytheshelterinSacramento.Alleightgirlsweresolemnasthedirectorthankedthemfortheirhelp.“Somanyofthefamilies

weworkwithdon’thave

enoughmoneytobuyChristmaspresents,”shewassaying.“They’restrugglingtokeepfoodonthetablesandlightsoninthehouse.ThisChristmas,whenyouarewithyourfamiliesandopeningyourpresents,Ihopeyou’llstoptothinkaboutwhatagoodthingyou’vedone.Thankyou,girls.”ChloereachedforBailey’s

hand.Severalofthegirls

werewipingawaytears.Behindthem,volunteers

unloadedthetoysthathadbeencollected.Tarynsniffed.“Allthisemotion,”she

grumbled.“It’sjustso...”ShelookedatherSproutsandsmiled.“I’mproudofallofyou.Youdidn’tletonepersonruinsomethingspecial.”Allisonsighed.“It’slikea

Christmasmiracle.We

deliveredtoystoneedychildren.Mymomwantsustohavethisforourprojectnextyear.”“We’lltalkitwiththe

Grovecouncil,”Tarynpromised.“Okay,let’sheadbacktoFool’sGold.Rumorhasit,there’sgoingtobeacelebrationatBrew-haha.”Severalofthegirls

cheered.ChloereleasedBailey’shandandwalked

withherfriends.TarynfellintostepwithBaileyastheywalkedtowardtheircars.“Ihateallthisstupid

happiness,”Tarynmuttered.Baileygrinned.“Youneed

togetoverthat.Happinessispartofthetradition.It’sgoodforyou.”“No,it’snot.Worse,I’m

fightinghormones.Icriedoveracommerciallastnight.Itwashorrifying.”

“There’ssomuchmoretocome.”BaileyknewthatTaryn

washoldingoffontellingpeopleaboutherpregnancyandcouldn’twaitforthenewstocomeout.“Thetoythingwasgood,”

Tarynadmitted.“Needykidsandallthat.”Shepaused.“Youwanttotalkaboutit?”Therewasnoneedtoask

whatthe“it”was.Orwho.

“There’snotmuchtosay,”Baileytoldher.“Areyouokay?”“No.ButI’mfakingitas

bestIcan.”Sheloweredhervoice.“Imisshim.”“Hemissesyou.It’s

just...hehassomebaggage.”“IknowaboutNatalie.He

toldme.Soinmyhead,Iunderstandwhyhe’scautious.Butitstillhurtstohavehimgone.”

Taryngottohercarandunlockedit.Baileydidthesame.Thegirlsclimbedinandbeganfasteningtheirseatbelts.Whenallthedoorswereclosed,Tarynlookedather.“Haveyoutoldhimhow

youfeel?Ican’tpromiseitwillmakeadifference,butitmight.”Sheshrugged.“I’massumingyou’reseriousabouthim.Ifallyouwantis

somethingshort-termandhot,thentellhimthat,too.I’msurehewouldbeinterested.Kenny’sagoodguy.Weallwanthimtobehappy.Itwouldbegreatifhecouldbehappywithyou.”Baileynoddedandgotin

hercar.OnthedrivebacktoFool’sGold,shethoughtaboutwhatTarynhadsuggested.WhileBaileyknewthatKennywasafraid

ofgettinginvolvedwithher,she’dneverconsideredthathemightnotknowhowshefelt.She’dneverhintedthatherlikinghadturnedintosomethingelse.Wouldthatchangethings?

Wouldhebewillingtotakeachanceifheknewshelovedhim?Therewasonlyonewaytofindout.Unfortunatelyitmeantlayingherheartontheline.

ForthenexthourBaileytriedtofigureoutwhattodo.InbetweenChristmascarolssungloudlywiththeSprouts,sheconsideredheroptions.WhentheyreachedBrew-

haha,severaloftheparentswerewaiting.Thegirlsraninsideandsharedwhathadhappenedattheshelter.Patience,theowner,hadhotchocolateandcookieswaitingforthem.BaileytookTaryn

aside.“Iwanttogotalkto

Kenny,”shewhispered.“Thisisgoingtogoonforatleastanhour.DoyoumindifIduckoutforabit?”“Go,”Tarynurgedher.

“I’llstaywithChloe.Ifyou’renotbackbythetimethiswrapsup,I’lltakehertoNoelle’sstore.It’salwaysfuntowatchtheshopperstheSaturdaybeforeChristmas.”

Baileyhuggedherfriend.“You’rethebest.”“Iknow.It’saburden,but

oneI’velearnedtolivewith.”Taryngaveheralittlepush.“Go!”Baileydidasinstructed.

ShetoldChloeshewasgoingtorunanerrand,thenduckedoutofthestoreandhurriedtowardKenny’shouse.Ithadsnowedacoupleofdaysago,thenwarmedupenoughfor

thestreetsandsidewalkstoclear.Thefewsnowmenintheyardsweremelting.ButtheweatherwassupposedtocooldownagainatthebeginningoftheweekanditlookedliketheymighthaveawhiteChristmasafterall.Baileystillwasn’tsure

exactlywhatshewasgoingtosaywhenshegottoKenny’splace,butsherangthebellanyway.Shetriednottobe

intimidatedbythelargehouse.Ittookhimnearlyaminute

toanswer.Whenhedid,shesawtheshadowsunderhiseyes.Hedidn’tspeakandneither

didshe.ShetookintheoldL.A.Stallionssweatshirtandwornjeans.Helookedlikehehadn’tshavedorslept,forthatmatter.Wasitpossiblehewasmissingherasmuch

asshewasmissinghim?“Ineedtospeaktoyou,”

shesaidatlast.Hesteppedasidetolether

in.Shewalkedintothefoyer

ofthebig,two-storyhouse.Shecouldseealivingroomandpartofadiningroom,butthatwasall.Notthatthehousemattered.Itwasjustthatnowshewashere,shewasnervous.Andscared.But

shewasalsodetermined.Heshovedhishandsinto

hisfrontpocketsandwaited.She’dbeenhopingfora

littleencouragement,butapparentlythatwasn’thappening.Hestillhadn’tspoken.Washetoopolitetosimplytellhertogetout?Shedrewinabreath.“I

wanttosaysomething.Itmaynotmakeadifference,butmaybeitwill.WhenI’m

done,I’mgoingtoleave.Idon’twantyoutosayanything.Thatshouldbeeasy,seeingasyou’renottalkingnow.”Shepausedtoseeifthat

commentwouldspurhimtoaction.Itdidnot.“Okay,then,”she

murmured.“Heregoes.LikeIsaid,Idon’twantyoutorespond.IwouldaskthatyouthinkaboutwhatIamabout

tosay.Iwantyoutoconsideritandlivewithitandthencometoaconclusion.”Shesuddenlyrealizedshe

hadn’tthoughtthisthroughatall.Howwashesupposedtotellherno,inawaythatwouldn’tcrushhersoul?Orbeheardinfrontofthewholetownorsomething?“IfIdon’thearbackfrom

youby,um,NewYear’s,I’llknowthatyou’renot

interested.Orthatyoudon’tagree.Orwhatever.”“Ihavenoideawhat

you’retalkingabout.”Thewords,quietlyspoken,

causedthenervesinherstomachtostartdoinglaps.“Iknow.I’mgettingto

that.Youneedtonottalkagain,okay?”Henodded.Shelacedherfingers

togetherandtwistedthem

around.Wassheafoolforthinkinghecouldcareabouther?Weretheytoodifferent?Washetoomuchtheathleticsuperstar?Shewasjustasinglemomwithakid.Andtherewastheweightthing.Didhethinkshewasfat?Shetoldherselftogetout

ofherheadandintothemoment.Shelovedthisman.Ifshewantedtohaveachancewithhim,shehadto

tellhimthat.“Idon’tknowexactlywhat

happened,”shebegan.“Whyyoudisappeared.IknowithassomethingtodowithChloeandme.Maybeyou’rethinkingyou’vegottentooclose.Thatifyoucare,youcouldbehurt.Ifyoudocare,thenthat’strue.Butit’salsotruethatyoucouldhurtus,too.”Shepausedtogatherher

thoughts.Shewasn’tsurehowtoconvincehim,butnottryingwasnolongeranoption.“IwanttosaythatIloved

Willdesperatelyuntilhedied,butthat’snottrue.Weweredriftingapartwhenhewaskilled.Idon’tknowifitwasbecausehewasgonesomuchorifwesimplygrewupandapart.Butwhatevermyfeelings,Willwasagood

manandIwanthisdaughtertoknowthatabouthim.”Shefoundherselfstaringat

thecenterofKenny’schestandforcedherchinupuntilshewaslookingintohiseyes.Shecouldn’treadanythingthere,butthatwasokay.Shewasgoingtogetthroughthis.“You’reright—Iama

packagedeal.You’llneverbeChloe’sbiologicalfatherandthepossibilityexiststhatif

somethinghappenedbetweenyouandI,thenyouwouldbeatriskoflosinganotherchildyou’dcometocareabout.Iknowthathastobereallyscary.IwanttotellyouIknowhowyoufeel,butwebothknowIdon’t.Ican’t.Buthere’swhatIdoknow.Iknowthatyou’reawonderfulperson.You’recaringandgentleandfunnyandkind.Youarethekindofperson

othersadmire.Youmakemyheartbeatfasterwheneveryou’rearoundandyoumakemefeelsafe.”Heatburnedonhercheeks,

butshekepttalkinganyway.Sowhatifshewasembarrassed?Shehadtotellhimthetruth—theybothdeservedthat.“I’mnotlikethemodels

andactressesyou’vedated.Igetthat.I’mjustaregular

kindofpersonwholivesinasmalltown.Nothingflashy.Nothingspecial.ButIknowwhatit’sliketobealoneandIknowwhatit’sliketowanttobelong.”Nowforthehardpart,she

thought,wishingshewasjustalittlemoreconfidentinhisresponse.“Kenny,I’vefalleninlove

withyou.I’mprettysureChloehasaswell.Iwantus

tobetogether.Iwanttobetheloveofyourlife.Iwant...”Sheshrugged.“Iwantalotofthings.Morekids.Adog.ButmostlyIwantyou.AndI’mhopingyouwantmeback.”Shereachedouttotouch

him,thendroppedherhandtoherside.Themanhadn’tsaidaword.Sure,she’dtoldhimnotto,butdidhehavetopickthismomenttolisten?She

couldn’ttellwhathewasthinking,butworrieditcouldn’tpossiblybegood.“ThatwasallIhadtosay,”

shewhispered,returninghergazetothecenterofhischest.“Pleasethinkaboutit.Ifyou’renotinterested,thenyoudon’thavetodoanything.IfIdon’thearfromyoubyNewYear’s,I’llgetthemessage.”Shelookedintohisblue

eyesagain.“Ihopewhateverhappens,wecanstayfriends.Andifit’snotme,thenIreallyhopeyoufindsomeoneyoucangiveyourheartto.Iwantyoutobehappy,nomatterwhat.”Sheturnedtothedoor,

thenspunback.“MerryChristmas,”shesaid,andthensheleft.

***

KENNYSATALONEinthedark.TomorrowwasChristmasEve.Foreveryoneintownitwasamagicaltime.Thepresentswerebought,thedinnersplanned,andtherewasthepromiseofsnowtomorrownight.Whatcouldbebetter?Hehadn’tbeenoutofhis

houseindays,hadn’tseenanyone.TheweekendhadmadethateasyandtheScore

officeswereclosedtodaythroughChristmas.Itgavehimtime.Thequestionwas,whatwashegoingtodowithit?Baileyhadlaiditallonthe

linewhenshe’dcomeoveronSaturday.She’dbaredherself,heartandsoul.Allshe’daskedwasthathethinkaboutwhatshesaid.Andhehad.Endlessly.Shesaidshelovedhim.

Thosewords—howhewantedthemtobetrue.Hewantedallshehadtooffer.HerandChloeandmorebabiesandadog.Yeah,itwasaperfectpicture.Butwasitreal?Couldhetrusther?That

waswhatitcamedownto.Washewillingtotryagain,tolove,knowinghecouldloseitall?Chloewouldneverbehis.Iftheworsthappened,

hewouldloseher,too.Butthealternativewasnot

tohaveheratall.Itwastonottry.Togiveupbeforehe’dbegunandthatwasn’twhohehadeverbeen.Whatwassafebattledwith

whatheneededasmuchasheneededair.Thepainofnothavingwrestledwiththepotentialoflosing.Thehourspassedfromnighttodawnandhewasnoclosertoan

answer.Butmaybethatwasbecausehe’dalwaysknownhowthiswasgoingtoend.

***

“THATWASTHEBEST!”Chloecrowedastheywalkedhome,hand-in-hand,inthelightlyfallingsnow.“Theshowandtheday.”“Iagree.Itwasmagical.”Baileywalkednexttoher

daughterastheymadetheirwayhomefromtheannualperformanceoftheDanceoftheWinterKing,followedbyeveningservicesatchurch.Itwassnowing,butnottoocold.Ormaybetheywerewarmedbytheseasonitself.Herdaughtersmiledupat

her.“ThiswasthegreatestChristmasEveever!”“Wow.Thankyou.What

wasyourfavoritepart?”

“Idon’tknow.Allofit.Ilovedthelivenativity.”“Me,too.”Baileysmiledasshe

rememberedtheeccentricanimalsfillingthemangernexttotheBabyJesus.Therehadbeengoats,anelephant,aponyandacamel,allcomplimentsoftheCastleRanch.Thisyeartherehadalsobeentheunusualadditionofasmallservice

dog,Cece.Herholidaysweaterhadkeptherpoodle-selfwarm,andshe’dbeenupforsnugglesandkisses.Therestofthemangeranimalshadpreferredtosimplyhavetheirpicturestaken.Afterward,sheandChloe

hadwanderedthroughdowntown,takinginallthedecorations.Carolershadgonefromstoretostore.Mostofthebusinesseshad

stayedopentooffercookiesandhotchocolatetosingersandresidentsalike.Afterdinner,Baileyand

ChloehadgonetoseetheDanceoftheWinterKing,aseasonalproductionwithgreatmusicanddancing.Chloehadloveditall.Baileyhadenjoyedit,too,butshe’dalsobeenawarethatKennywasn’twiththem.Shehadn’theardfromhim

sinceshe’dannouncedshewasinlovewithhim,andthenhadlefthishouse.Whileshe’dknownthatshemightnotgethimtochangehismind,she’dbeenhopeful.Okay,morethanhopeful,shethoughtwistfully.She’dimaginedhimstridingintoherofficeatcityhallandsweepingherintohisarms,àlathatoldmovieAnOfficerandaGentleman.Orsimply

walkinguptohersomewhereintownandsayingthatwhilehecouldn’tlovehertoday,hethoughthemightbeabletoeventually.Inhermoresensible

moments,sheremindedherselfthattheobviousanswerwashewasn’tinterested.Sheimaginedapolitelywordednoteof“thanks,butnothanks.”Despitethefactthatshe’d

saidhedidn’thavetorespond,she’dneverseriouslyconsideredtherewouldbenothing.Sheremindedherselfthere

wasstillaweektogo.Aweekinwhichshecoulddreamandhope.ButcomeJanuaryfirst,shewasgoingtogoonthosetwodietsshe’dpromisedherself.OnefortheextraweightandtheotherforKenny.Shewouldfigureout

howtodealwithboth.Andshewasdeterminedtobesuccessful.Chloeleanedintoherand

yawned.“IsKennycomingovertomorrow?”“Idon’tknow.”BecauseBaileyhadn’tsaid

anythingtoChloeyet.Whenherdaughterasked,shesaidhewasbusywiththeholidays.Iftherewaseventheslightestchanceofit

workingout,thenbetterforherdaughternottosufferneedlessly.“Hehasto.Wehave

presentsforhimunderthetree.Andyouhavesomethingfromhiminyourstocking.”“DoI?”She’dforgottenaboutthat.

Whathadhegottenher?Andifhewalkedoutoftheirlivesforever,shouldshereturnit?Theyturnedthecornerand

starteduptheirstreet.Snowcontinuedtofall.Neighborswalkinghomefromthechurchservicewavedtoeachother.Callsof“MerryChristmas”filledthenight.“Iloveournewhouse,”

Chloesaidsleepily.“Andmybedroom,andmybed.”“I’mglad.Iloveitall,

too.”Chloelookedupatherand

smiled.“Iloveyou,

Mommy.”“Iloveyouback,sweetie.”Theywalkedtotheirhouse

andstartedupthedriveway.Ontheporch,somethingmoved.Baileystared,notsurewhat—Kennyroseandtooka

coupleofstepstowardthem.Itwasdarkandtheporchlightwasbehindhimsoshecouldn’tseehisface.Athousandquestions

crowdedintoherbrain.Whywashehere?Wasitgoodnewsorbadnews?Surelyhewouldn’tbreakherheartonChristmasEve,wouldhe?Helookedgood,she

thought,greedilytakingineverythingabouthim.Iffeltasifshehadn’tseenhiminyears,insteadofdays.Hehadonalong,heavycoat.Snowclungtohisheadandhisshoulders.HeheldaSanta

hatinonehand.“Kenny!”Chloebrokefreeandraced

towardhim.Hecaughtherandliftedherupintohisarms.Chloehungonsotightly,Baileywonderedifshewouldeverletgo.“Wewenttothelive

nativityandtherewasapoodleinthemanger!ThenwesawtheDanceoftheWinterKing,whichwasso

great.Andthenwewenttochurchandnowyou’rehere.We’vemissedyou.You’recomingoverforChristmas,aren’tyou?Momwasn’tsure,butyouhavepresents.”Kennykissedhercheek,

thenloweredhertotheground.HesteppedtowardBailey.Shestayedwhereshewas.

Snowfellallaroundthem.Shewasprobablyfreezing,

butshecouldn’tfeelathingexceptforthehoperisinginsideofher.Theworldwasstill,exceptforthebeatingofherfrantic,hungryheart.“Youwereright,”hesaid

quietly,staringintohereyes.“Aboutallofit.IamafraidofwhatIcouldlose.HowcouldIgoonwithoutyouorChloearound?”Shewasn’tsureifshewas

supposedtoanswer,soshe

simplywaited.Chloecameandstoodnexttoher,butwasalsosilent.HeturnedtheSantahat

aroundinhishands.“Idon’tbringmuchtothetable.I’mkindofbeatupfromplayingfootball.Mykneesarebadandmytrackrecordwithrelationshipsisn’tmuchbetter.”Shewasn’tsurehowthose

twothoughtsrelated,butshe

washappytokeeplistening.Becausetoher,itdidn’tsoundlikehewassayinggoodbye.“Thethingis,”he

continued,staringdirectlyintohereyes,“I’minlovewithyou.”HedroppedhisgazetoChloe.“Withbothofyou.AndIneedtoaskyousomething.”Askwhat?Todateher?To

havedinnerwithher?To—

Hereturnedhisattentiontoher.“BaileyVoss,willyoumarryme?”Baileyfeltalltheairrush

outofherlungs.Chloeshriekedandbeganjumpingupanddown.Kennyraisedoneshoulder.

“There’salotwehavetoworkthrough,Iknow.Detailsaboutwherewe’llliveandfamilystuffand—”“Yes,”Baileysaidasshe

steppedintohisembraceandkissedhim.“Yes.”Sheheldoutonehandand

Chloejoinedthem.Kennywrappedhisarmaroundthelittlegirl,aswell.Theystoodinthesnowandhungontoeachother.Later,theywentinside.It

wasallablurtoBailey.Theactualmovementandtheremovingofcoats.Somehowtheywerepiledtogetheron

thesofa,BaileyononesideofKenny,Chloeontheother.Thetreelightswereonandtherewasafireinthefireplace.“Thisisnice,”hesaid.Shelaughed.“Yes,itis.”HeglancedatChloe.

“SomeoneneedstogettobedsothatSantacandeliverpresents.”Chloesmiled.“Thereisno

Santa,butI’llgotobed

anyway.I’mtired.”Shewrinkledhernose.“Youtwowanttohavesomegrown-uptime.”Baileythoughtaboutthe

magicthatwasKenny’skissesandknewthatgrown-uptimewouldverymuchbewelcome.Shewalkedherdaughter

upstairsandhelpedhergetready.WhenChloewastuckedinbed,Kennyjoined

them.HesatontheedgeofthemattressandstrokedChloe’scheek.“Willisalwaysgoingtobe

yourforeverdad,”hesaidquietly.“I’mgoingtostandinforhim,butI’mnottakinghisplace.”Chloesatupandhugged

him.“You’regoingtobemyforeverdad,too.Okay?”Kennyheldherand

nodded.Hekissedher

forehead.Shelaybackdownandwasasleepbeforetheyhadlefttheroom.Backdownstairs,Kenny

drewBaileyintohisembraceandkissedher.“Iloveyou,”hetoldher.“Iloveyou,too.”Shetilted

herhead.“Whatbroughtyoutoyoursenses?”Onecornerofhismouth

turnedup.“Itriedtolivewithoutyou.Icouldn’tlast

twodays.Whateverhappens,it’sworthit.”Shetouchedhischeek.

“Kenny,Iwanttospendmylifewithyou.I’myours.I’mhopingthatyou’llconsideradoptingChloe,soshe’syours,too.Notjustinyourheart,butintheeyesofthelaw,too.”Hestaredather.“You’ddo

that?”“Ofcourse.Iloveyou.Not

justforChristmas,butforalways.”Hekissedher,thendrewa

smallboxoutofhisjeanspocketandhandedittoher.Sheopeneditandsawasparklingdiamondsolitairewinkingbackather.Thebeautyoftheringtookherbreathaway,butthewonderofknowingthisamazingmanlovedherwasafeelingshewantedtohangontoforever.

“Iloveyou,Bailey,”hewhispered.“MerryChristmas.”Heslippedtheringonher

fingerandloweredhismouthtohers.Somewhereinthedistance,bellsbegantochime.ChristmasDayhadarrived.

*****

AbouttheAuthor

NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorSusanMalleryhaswontheheartsofmillionsofreadersaroundtheworldwithbooksdescribedas“immenselyentertaining,intenselyemotional”(RTBookReviews),“hilarious”(FortWorthStar-Telegram)and“heartwarming”(PublishersWeekly).One

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Mallerylivesinnot-so-sunnySeattlewithherhusbandandatoypoodlewhomakesherlaugheverydayandwho’snotevenalittlebitimpressedbyhergrowingfame.VisitSusanonlineatwww.susanmallery.com.

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ISBN-13:9781459256477

YoursforChristmas

Copyright2014bySusanMaciasRedmond

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