Page 48 of Single Dad's Christmas Cookie

“No, I think we have everything we need.”

Nova began setting things up for us to have a dinner cooked over an open fire. I sat on the floor between her and the fireplace, ready to offer my services as grill master for the night.

“Did you get pot holders?” I asked. “This is going to be hot to the touch.” I held up the pot I expected to be using to cook the soup.

“Oh, no, I didn’t. I’ll be right back.” Nova jumped to her feet and disappeared into the dark.

She came back a moment later holding out several options for me.

“Are you doing better?” I asked. She seemed more comfortable, at least with the path between the den and the kitchen.

She nodded. “A bit. I was just being…”

“Nervous,” I finished for her.

She nodded. “Nervous. I’m not a fan of the dark or the cold.”

“It’s okay, we’re here,” Amelia said. “We’re here for you.”

I reached out and ruffled her hair.

“Thank you.” I could have sworn she blushed as she lowered her eyes. Maybe it was the firelight adding color to her cheeks?

“Do we have a can opener?” I asked.

Nova let out a frustrated breath of air and climbed back to her feet. “I’ll be back.”

21

NOVA

It took me longer than expected to find a can opener. The one I was used to using was electric. “There has got to be a can opener around here,” I muttered as I opened one drawer after another.

I still didn’t have the location of everything memorized. And I wouldn’t by the time I left this job.

Amelia was giggling when I returned to the den. She was tossing pillows from the walls of our giant fort at her father’s head. He was throwing them back, smacking her softly. I didn’t want to interrupt their fun. I loved how relaxed they were.

I was having a hard time faking my calmness. This storm had me shaken. Which was stupid. I grew up around tornadoes. We had supplies and a fire. This snow shouldn’t be freaking me out as much as it was.

“I found one!” I held up the manual can opener after a while, announcing my presence.

“Well done. I wouldn’t have had a clue where to look for that,” Bryan said. He held out his hand and took it from me.

“Hey, I need that,” I complained, even though I handed it over.

“How am I supposed to open the soup cans?”

“I’m the paid cook.” I tapped myself in the chest.

“And I’m the one who knows how to cook over a campfire.” Arguing with Bryan was pointless. He was right. He was the one who knew what he was doing.

“You might want to take note for the next time,” he said with a wink.

For whatever reason, that wink had me completely flustered. I didn’t have a witty comeback. I just giggled like an idiot with a massive crush on the man.

I sat back and pulled Amelia back with me. She started to go after her dad with a pillow. I thought her continued pillow attack while he was cooking could only end in disaster.

“Now’s not the best time for that. You don’t want to accidentally make him spill,” I pointed out. “Here, help me rebuild this wall.”

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