The Billionaire's Christmas Promise: A Single Dad Romance (Christmas Billionaires) by Laura Haley-McNeil

Author:Laura Haley-McNeil [Haley-McNeil, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Huerfano Press, LLC
Published: 2021-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

When they returned to the yacht, Alexander had Bernice reschedule his traveling until after the new year. He told the captain to sail the yacht to a warmer climate. His lack of travel surprised Poppy, and he hadn’t missed the questioning look in Felicity’s eyes, though she seemed to have prepared herself for an announcement that he’d leave for a business trip soon.

“How come you’re still here?” Poppy asked her father at breakfast one morning.

“Poppy,” Felicity said quietly, surprise in her eyes.

“It’s okay,” Alexander said on an exhaled breath. “I deserve that question. I’ve spent most of Poppy’s life coming and going.” He gave Poppy a direct look. “I’m here because it’s almost Christmas, and I want to spend time with you.” When Poppy’s breath caught, he wrapped his hand around hers and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Yes, with you. What would you like to do today?”

“I have a test.” Poppy shifted her gaze to Felicity.

Alexander’s brows lifted, and he looked at her, too.

“I’ve created a test that summarizes what she’s learned since I’ve been here.” Felicity smiled at Poppy. “It will satisfy the credit requirements she’ll need so she can enter school.”

Alexander didn’t miss the hesitation in her voice when she mentioned Poppy’s school.

“The test shouldn’t take too long,” Felicity added a little more lightly.

“Good,” Alexander said. “Let me know when you’ve finished, and we’ll make plans for the day.”

“I’ll work as fast as I can.” Poppy’s eyes brightened.

“You want to do well.” Alexander’s eyes filled with softness.

“I will, Daddy. I promise you’ll be proud of me.” In her eyes shone the need to please him.

“Honey, I already am,” he said and didn’t miss the beam in his daughter’s face.

He didn’t want her to think that his love for her was based on her accomplishments. Wasn’t that why he’d worked so hard? To win his father’s approval? Sadly, he’d realized he wasn’t his father’s priority. His father’s business dealings were. A heaviness weighed inside his chest. That was what his father had wanted for him—not what he wanted for Poppy. An uncomfortable feeling coiled in his stomach. Some days, he seemed more like his father than he thought possible.

“I’ve finished my breakfast, and I’m ready to take my test.” Poppy slid from her chair.

“Then we can get started on your work.” Felicity stood and slipped her hand around Poppy’s. She looked at the child with as much tenderness as a mother would her daughter.

A flicker of disappointment flared inside Alexander. Gertie had never looked at Poppy in that way. What had Gertie missed, but he couldn’t chide her, for he had missed out as well.

He squeezed her hand and told her she’d do well. He fell silent when he watched Poppy and Felicity, who showed grace and dignity with her every move, stroll out of the dining room. He listened to their voices until they faded into the silence.

“Will there be anything else, sir?”

Alexander looked up to see Tom standing a few feet from the table.

“No, thank you, Tom.

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