Page 8 of A Moon Lake Christmas Hero

“The dog is okay. We can pick her up later, if you’re up to it.” He squatted down by my bed so he was at eye level with me and his girls, who both wrapped their arms around his neck and cuddled into his muscular frame.

It was the perfect picture right before my eyes, and it awoke an ache in me.

This was a family.

A unity. People who loved each other more than anything in the world. Who weren’t afraid to show their affection.

Who cuddled and laughed together.

And I was alone—an intruder in their perfect little world.

I had to pull it together.

I got up into a sitting position, thankful for the big T-shirt he gave me last night to sleep in. My hair was probably a mess since I showered and washed them right before going to bed. But there was nothing I could do about it.

And he probably didn’t care how I looked, anyway.

“Thank you so much for letting me stay the night.” I tossed the comforter to the side and put my feet on the floor. “I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I?—”

Where the hell were my clothes?

I was pretty sure I folded them atop the single chair yesterday, but they weren’t there.

He turned his head and followed my look. “Oh, I noticed your clothes when I checked in on you during the night, so I put them in the washer. They’re in the dryer right now, and Bailey, our local mechanic extraordinaire, and the owner of the tow truck, is just finishing a tour and will bring over your suitcase within the hour.”

He what?

My eyes shot back to his. “You checked in on me?”

He held my gaze. “Concussion protocol. Alan was very specific about checking in with you. I even woke you once—don’t you remember?” He lowered his brows and looked concerned when I shook my head.

So he came in here, checked on me, took my clothes, and put them in the wash? For real now? It felt like an invasion of privacy, thinking about him checking in on me. But it also felt kind of incredible.

I’d had trouble sleeping ever since the fire, so usually I was more awake than asleep during the night.

But last night, I was out like a lamp.

Probably the best sleep I’d had since… forever, and I couldn’t remember a single thing.

Especially not him coming into my room, checking in on me.

JAMES

When she shook her head, then looked down, my muscles tightened, and I could barely keep myself from getting up from the floor in front of her bed and hauling her into my arms.

She couldn’t remember me checking in on her during the night?

That was alarming.

I needed to talk to Alan about it. Get his professional opinion.

Our eyes met once again. Hers looked clear and responsive, even though she appeared flustered.

“Anyway, we’re about to have breakfast, if you’d like to join us?”

She shook her head, but her stomach growled, betraying her refusal.

I grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes, and we’ll meet you downstairs, okay?”

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