Page 54 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“I can tell him we need to get moving,” Zac said in clipped tones.
“No, go. I don’t want Oscar dragged into our troubles,” Barb told him.
“Thank you.” Zac’s voice was gruff as he stepped past Barb and walked into the living room.
Barb followed him. The heat of the fire enveloped her freezing body. She positioned herself close to it to absorb the warmth as she watched Zac drop to his knees on the rug beside Oscar.
“Hello, princess,” Zac’s voice was soft, and Barb’s heart pinched once again as guilt flooded her when she saw the love in his eyes for his daughter and Oscar. “If you were older and your mommy said it was okay,” he glanced at Barb, “you could come with us.”
“Am I going with Dad, Mom?” Oscar looked up at her.
“Yes, honey.” Barb smiled warmly at him. “Go get your coat, hat, and gloves on.”
“Okay,” Oscar said, nodding, kissing Charlotte on the cheek. “See you later, Charlie. I’ll buy you a present.”
As Oscar bolted from the room, Zac looked at Barb. “May I hold her?”
Barb didn’t trust her voice at that moment and nodded as a turmoil of conflicting emotions churned through her, intensified by the thumping pain in her head. Zac picked Charlotte up, and she reached out a little hand to touch his face, and a lump lodged in Barb’s burning throat.
“I must go check on Oscar,” Barb’s voice was hoarse, and she cleared her throat.
Zac smiled at Barb and nodded before his attention returned to his daughter.
“This is the only coat I could find.” Oscar popped out of his room. “Andthese gloves.”
“They’re perfect,” Barb said, zipping it up. “Where’s your hat?”
“I can use the hood on the coat,” Oscar reasoned.
“You know you need your woolen beanie.” Barb walked into his room and found one of the beanies. “Here, this will go nicely with your coat and gloves.”
“I don’t need to match like you, Mom,” Oscar moaned. “I’d rather have the red one.”
“The red one is dirty and being washed,” Barb reminded him. “So you’re going to have to use the dark blue on.”
“Fine,” Oscar said with a sigh. “But do you think you can buy me more red and green beanies, please?”
“I’ll look into that,” Barb promised, smiling. “There, now you’re all ready to go.”
Oscar threw his arms around her neck and hugged her, whispering. “Thank you for letting me go with Dad.” He kissedher cheek. “I love you, Mom.”
Guilt poured through Barb as she hugged her little boy tight. “Of course, my angel. Be good and listen to Zac, okay?”
“I promise.” Oscar nodded as they walked back into the living room.
Zac was playing with Charlotte, and try as she might, Barb couldn’t hang onto the anger that had been boiling inside her since Oscar mentioned Zac had asked him to go into Frisco with him.
“Oscar’s ready,” Barb said, keeping her voice level as she followed Oscar and Zac to the door.
“Thank you for letting him spend the morning with me,” Zac said, kissing Charlotte's forehead before handing her to Barb. “Bye, princess. Daddy loves you.”
His words hit Barb right in the middle of her heart, and she felt the sting of tears burning at the back of her eyes as she took Charlotte from him. Barb suddenly felt like a thief, like she was robbing Zac of time with his kids, as more guilt flooded her.
“I’ll have Oscar back before lunch if that’s what you want,” Zac assured her.
Barb drew in a breath and forced a smile. “Did you want to take him to lunch?”
“I was planning to,” Zac admitted. “But not if you want him back here.”
