Her Christmastime Family by Tara Randel

Author:Tara Randel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-09-16T15:48:42+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

A FEW HOURS LATER, after they’d eaten dinner and the sun had set, Roan stood in front of his brightly lit house with the children. Woodsmoke tinted the air. The clouds obscuring the moon made the night inky dark, the lights shining brightly as a counterpoint.

Kaylie held Lacey as the little girl jabbered nonsensically. Emmie and John, totally enraptured by the colored lights hanging from the roof, were unusually speechless. It wasn’t as cold as the previous nights, even though the temperature had dipped. There was a slight breeze—not enough to have a body quaking in response, but enough to make one thankful for gloves.

“You did good, Daddy,” Emmie finally said as she gazed at the lights outlining their house.

“Thanks.”

“What about John’s house?” She pointed. “It’s dark.”

“Not for long.”

He pulled out his phone and texted Faith. From inside her house, she flipped the switch and the house lit up.

John jumped up and down. “Look. My house too.”

Faith came running outside, her eyes bright as she joined them at the border between houses.

“Good job, Mr. Donovan,” she said, holding out her hand for a fist bump.

He brushed his knuckles against hers. “All in a day’s work, Miss Harper.”

They grinned at each other, his heart thudding a little harder than normal, and soon the kids were racing around them.

“If there was snow, this night would be perfect,” she said on a sigh.

“You’re right.”

When the kids were out of hearing range, she said, “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you since you took off earlier.”

“Sorry. It’s been a busy day.”

He explained what had happened at the police station, then told her about taking Kaylie to check out the dance studio, picking up Emmie and his conversation with Laurel.

Her eyes were wide. “Wow. You weren’t kidding.”

“Thankfully, events with Kaylie turned out okay.” He paused. Weighed his words. “I understand I have you to thank for the outcome.”

Surprise crossed her features. “Me?”

“Your talk with Kaylie made an impression.”

“Really?”

“It couldn’t have been easy, but thank you for whatever you said to make her think twice about throwing in with those girls.”

Faith blinked. “I’ve never been a mentor before.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

Her puzzled countenance warmed him. She seemed stunned, yet pleased. With the lights flashing behind her as she considered the impact of his words, she was beyond beautiful.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked when she remained silent.

“It’s just sinking in that I did something right.”

He hated the doubt in her voice. “C’mon, don’t be so hard on yourself. You have good advice to offer.”

“Sure, because my past was a mess,” she said with a wry grimace.

He chuckled. “Experience is the best teacher.”

“Please. I’d rather forget all that, but you’re right, I have been making better choices for a while now.” A slow smile blossomed. “It feels good.”

His pulse raced as he moved closer. He snagged Faith’s gaze. They stared at each other for a long moment before Emmie ran up to him. “Daddy, can we walk down the street and look at the other houses?”

He shook off the pleasant web Faith had ensnared him in.

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