Page 76 of Single Dad's Christmas Cookie

“I wanted to see how Santa Claus treated my granddaughter, and I walk in to see you curled up with the cook. I thought I raised you better than that.”

“I’m a grown man, and I can cuddle up with whoever I want.”

“But the help?” his mother wailed. “This is why I never hired pretty maids. Didn’t want to tempt you or your father.”

“Mother, stop being such a snob or I will not share my good news with you.”

“I’m not being a snob. It’s the truth and you’re being rude.”

Amelia sat frozen on the floor, looking up at her grandmother.

She snapped her head around and looked down her nose at Amelia. “Aren’t you going to greet me, child?”

“Merry Christmas, Grandmother,” Amelia said, but she didn’t move. She was half buried under a pile of toys. “You shouldn’t be mean to Nova.”

That kid was my favorite six-year-old.

“Why does she know the name of the cook? Bryan, why are you letting your daughter speak to me that way?”

He still hadn’t moved, but his arm tightened around me. I didn’t know if he was holding on to me to keep his temper in check or holding on to me to keep me in place.

“Because she is doing a better job at defending Nova than I’ve done previously. Mother, you need to be nice to Nova or you will no longer be welcome in this house.”

“What a fine Christmas present. You’re choosing this little tart over me?”

“No, Mother, I’m choosing my fiancée.”

34

BRYAN

Iran a towel over my face as I finished washing up. I tossed it on the counter before stepping into my bedroom. Our bedroom. Nova sat propped up on the pillows, blankets around her knees—right where she belonged. She looked beautiful. She looked perfect.

She was staring at her hand, admiring the ring on her finger.

“What are you thinking?” I asked, catching her attention.

She sighed and turned her hand around so that I could see the ring. She wiggled her fingers, and the diamonds caught the light and threw flashes of light around.

“This is almost too good to be true.”

“I know what you mean. But it’s true.” I crossed the room

“We’re really engaged,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve never had a ring like this. Can I sleep in it? It’s old. Will it break?”

I shrugged. I knew nothing about jewelry. “We can go to a jeweler after the holidays and ask. I really don’t know. I don’t wear jewelry. You could probably look up what you need online.”

She twisted the ring back and forth. “I’m afraid to sleep in it. But I don’t want to take it off yet.”

“Then don’t. I’m sure sleeping in it won’t hurt it. It’s metal and rocks. I’d be more concerned with your finger turning green or purple and having all the circulation cut off.”

“No, it fits perfectly.” She twisted it and showed that she could easily remove it.

I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed her fingers. “It does. How are you doing?” I sat and ran my hand over the lump in the blankets that was her leg.

“It’s been a day.” She laughed. “You asked me to marry you. And…” She shook her head. I knew what she was thinking. At least the smile stayed.

I was glad she could laugh and smile. Smiles looked good on her. Smiles looked so much better on her than tears. When she said it had been a day, she wasn’t kidding. I knew I’d be spending the next several years apologizing for my mother. But Nova has also endured a traumatic situation with her ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend.

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