Page 47 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“Open it,”Pricilla ordered.
Zac pulled the documents from the envelope and looked at Priscilla in amazement. “How…”
“I guess he tried to make up for his betrayal in various ways,” Priscilla said. “He managed to intercept them when you were at the hospital. When he got back to the lodge, he gave them to me to look over as yours and your brother’s attorney.”
“And?” Zac looked at her curiously.
“It’s quite brutal,” Pricilla warned him. “And I know the attorney and she’s the best there is.”
“But you’re better,” Zac said with confidence, glancing over a few lines of the documents, feeling his heart drop to his feet. “I know you’re conflicted with this, but I need your help, Priscilla, please!”
“You’re lucky that I saw the way Oscar looked at you,” Priscilla told him. “I also saw the way you looked at both of them, and I’ve decided to help your family get you back together with Barb.”
“Really?” Zac looked at her in disbelief. “I think your family is going to object to that.”
“Leave my family to me,” Priscilla told him, holding out her hand for the documents. “I’ll bury these for as long as I can.”
“Thank you,” Zac smiled at her, feeling hope seep into his heart as he handed the documents back to her. “Out of interest, how long do you think you can bury those documents?”
“A week, maybe two or three.” Priscilla shrugged. “As long as they don’t arrive, we can all enjoy the festive season without it hanging over our heads. So make the most of it.” She looked at him pointedly. “And try to avoid disastrous situations like the one in the living room a few minutes ago. If you want to spend time with your kids, make sure it’s about them and not about emotionally blackmailing their mother.”
“That was not my intention,” Zac assured Priscilla. “I really just wanted to see my sonagain.”
“Oh, speaking of that,” Priscilla said before reaching over and yanking out a few strands of his hair by the root.
“What the heck, Priscilla!” Zac hissed, rubbing his scalp. “Good grief. What was that for?”
“If Barb still wants to go forward with the divorce after Christmas, we need proof that both Charlotte and Oscar are your biological children!” Priscilla pulled a small bag from his pocket and dropped Zac's hair into it.
“What?” Zac spluttered, looking at her wide-eyed. “How did you…”
“Barb’s uncle gave me Trevor’s will to look over,” Pricilla surprised Zac even more by saying. “Before you ask, I didn’t know that Trevor was still alive, but Liam asked me to help Barb’s uncle by handling Trevor’s will. There was a letter addressed to me explaining the pact he and Barb had about having children. If Barb pursued their pact and the child ever needed his biological father for medical reasons, he explained what he and you had done.”
“I was young, and Ineverthought it would happen,” Zac defended his actions. “Then, when I realizedBarb was pregnant…” He ran a hand through his hair. “At first, I thought maybe there was a chance it was actually Trevor’s…”
“So you left it,” Pricilla guessed. “Let Barb be comforted by knowing she had the love of her life’s child to console her after Trevor’s death.” She gave him a warm smile. “I’m not judging you, Zac. What you did was very noble. Not many people could do what you did. But you also owe Barb the truth—especially now you’re married and have a daughter together as well.”
“I’m beginning to think that while it’snobleof my family to want to help me win Barb back,” he sighed and rubbed his temples, “this is just one more huge lie and reason for her to hate me.”
“I doubt she hates you,” Priscilla assured him. “But Barb is hurt and feeling betrayed. While you’ll never be able to erase what you’ve done, you can start making up for it by cleaning the slate and starting again.”
“Which I want to do,” Zac told her and sighed again, glancing past her. “But I’m afraid she’s caught the attention of Doctor Charming.”
“I call that incentive, dear boy,” Priscilla told him with a smile. “It will keep you on your toes, but just remember, play fair, and respect Barb’s boundaries.”
“Thanks, Priscilla,” Zac said. “I appreciate everything.”
“Don’t make me regret this,” Pricilla warned him, holding up the envelope. “Or I might just change sides.”
“Noted.” Zac laughed, glancing at his wristwatch. “We’d better get moving.”
“And you’d better give your brother's wristwatch back as well,” Pricilla reminded him. “It’s his pride and joy.”
“I was thinking of hanging onto it a bit longer.” Zac grinned. “It’s an awesome watch, and I figured he owes me it.”
“I’ll keep a tree and some decorations for you,” Priscilla offered.
“I would appreciate that,” Zac told her. “Are there rules to this competition? Can we buy our decorations as well?”
