Page 45 of Single Dad's Christmas Cookie

I bit my lip and chuckled. Mom had a way of getting phrases just wrong enough to be awkward. I was not getting busy with anyone, but I knew what she meant.

I set one of the blankets to the side while still leaving a few other ones wrapped around my legs.

Boss found me on the side of the road.

If I was texting Veronica, I might have said it was very romantic how he carried me into his car like a real rescue hero. But this was Mom. She didn’t need to know I had those kinds of thoughts about the boss.

Bryan wasn’t gone for very long, and he returned with several steaming mugs of hot chocolate. One for each of us.

I have hot chocolate and am safe. I’ll let you know when I find out about the car. For now, it’s stuck in the snow.

Be safe. I love you, she texted back.

Love you too.

I set my phone to the side and took a sip of the hot chocolate. The treat was sweet and creamy and heated me up from the inside, as it should.

“Careful,” he said as he handed one of the mugs to Amelia. “That’s hot.”

“I usually put an ice cube in the mug,” I pointed out.

“Yeah, I know that trick too.” He sat on the other end of the couch. “I noticed a rack of lamb as I was putting the groceriesaway, and also some boxed macaroni noodles and cheese. That’s not for dinner, is it?” he asked with a light chuckle.

“The rack of lamb is for Christmas Eve. I know that you’re expecting something much more sophisticated than what I’ve been feeding you for dinners lately.”

“We haven’t had a chance to discuss the menu. Have we?”

“I guess now is as good a time as any. The boxed noodles and cheese are for lunch for her.” I tipped my head toward Amelia.

“What is your plan?”

“I won’t be feeding your mother boxed noodles with powdered cheese mix.” I went over my planned meal.

Bryan nodded, confirming that all of my choices were good.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t call a tow truck?” I asked after a while. “It’s getting late and I’m going to need to get home.”

“You’re not going anywhere. The road conditions are hazardous. There are plenty of guest rooms upstairs. You will have your choice of where to stay, and your clothes will be clean and dry by tomorrow.”

20

BRYAN

“Well, if I’m going to stay, why don’t you show me which guest room I should stay in?”

Amelia climbed off the couch and held her hand out to Amelia.

“You’re staying?” Amelia launched to her feet, excited that Nova was going to be our guest.

“I know exactly which room you should stay in.”

I banked the fire and followed them up the stairs, curious as to where Amelia thought it would be best for Nova. I knew where I wanted her, but my bed was off limits. At least until she was no longer my employee.

About halfway up the stairs, the power went out. Nova gasped.

“Daddy?” Amelia’s little voice called my name. I felt her terror in my gut.

I grabbed my phone and turned the flashlight on. “I guess the power finally went out. I hadn’t thought the storm was that bad.”

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