Page 18 of Holiday Loss

“I've never been before, so I think we can let the expert take charge.”

“You’ve never been here before?” Freddie sounded aghast at the thought.

“Never had a kid to come with.”

“Well, now you got me.” Freddie slipped his hand into Donovan’s free one and he swore right there and then the kid just barreled his way right into Donovan’s heart.

“Now I've got you,” he echoed. Simple words yet they meant a lot to him. This mother and son duo was already carving out a special place in his heart and life, and the more time he spent with them, the more attached he was getting.

It was busy but the line moved quickly, and a short while later they’d bought tickets, walked through the gates, and were heading to a huge open field that had been dubbed Snowman Land. There were squealing kids everywhere, and lots of laughing, smiling moms and dads soaking up the joy on their kids’ faces.

This was definitely something he could get used to.

Already he’d had fun choosing Christmas gifts for both Freddie and Jessica, and he was hoping he could persuade them to spend a little time on Christmas Day with him, although he was yet to broach the topic.

Snowman Land was huge, and there were stalls everywhere around the perimeter with all sorts of costumes and props you could use to dress your snowman. There was everything from the traditional coal for eyes and mouth, carrot for the nose, and scarf for his neck, to way more complex ideas. There were superheroes and princesses, animals in a range of species, and firefighters and ballet dancers. Donovan couldn’t wait to see what Freddie would choose to dress up his snowman as.

“Basically, you just make your own snowman, then choose your outfits and put them on. Then you can take pictures, but there’s also a photographer here if you want something more professional, although you have to pay for those ones,” Jessica explained as Freddie went running to an empty part of the field, dug his hands right into the snow, and began rolling it into a snowball.

“We’ll definitely get the professional ones,” he told her.

“Freddie will be happy enough with whatever we take on our phones,” Jessica protested.

“I'm sure he will, we’re still getting the professional ones.”

“You don’t have to spoil him.”

“Oh, beautiful.” Donovan stopped and tugged Jessica closer, his arm around her waist keeping her anchored against him. “I'm going tospoil him. I'm going to spoil you both. I think it’s past time somebody did and I'm just glad that somebody gets to be me.”

After dropping a kiss to her lips, he hurried after Freddie, leaving her standing behind him staring at him. If she thought he wasn't going to spoil both her and her son rotten then she was crazy. These two were his now, he’d protect them, he’d take care of them, and he’d spoil them, because he wanted them to be happy and know they were cared about.

If the stalker thought he could be blackmailed into walking away from them he was crazy, these two were already a part of him and no one was going to mess with them.

Chapter

Thirteen

December 17th

7:36 P.M.

They came here every year.

Every single year from Freddie’s first Christmas onwards.

After Adam and Jasmine got together last Christmas, they’d even been several times throughout the year. While the place was obviously the busiest at Christmastime, it operated all year long, and they’d enjoyed riding horses in the spring, playing in the fields in the summer, and picking fruit in the autumn, and all the other activities the place offered.

But this visit was her favorite.

Watching Freddie and Donovan bond was such a special experience, and Jessica was so glad that she’d decided not to let her fears get the best of her and had given Donovan a chance. It was clear her son already liked and respected him, and it wasn't just because Donovan bought him whatever he asked for.

Already they’d had gingerbread, cotton candy, popcorn, candy canes, fudge, and chocolate, hot chocolate, and warm apple cider.They’d had professional photos taken with their snowman and the reindeer when they’d moved on to the next encounter. They’d even taken a reindeer pulled sleigh ride. Sitting in the sleigh, covered with blankets, with Freddie snuggled between them, Donovan’s arm around her shoulders, she’d felt so happy she was sure she was going to burst.

Now they were in the snowball ring, and she’d already given up on getting Freddie home at a reasonable hour, which had been the one condition she’d had when she agreed to this impromptu family date.

Who cared if he was tired tomorrow?

It was almost Christmas break, and her son deserved to have some fun and be spoiled. He was such a good kid, he never complained when she couldn’t afford to buy him something the other kids had. He was respectful to her and never got angry about the fact that he didn't have a dad even though she regularly cursed her ex—in her head never to her son’s face—for abandoning such a great kid just so he could live his own life without responsibility.

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