Page 37 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
Jade’s heart flipped. “I would be honored to be your big sister.”
A knock on the door startled her. Her dad stood there, and she thought he might be blinking back tears. “Hey, kiddo,” he said to Jessica, “you ready to go for that horseback ride I promised you? Gage and Mia are all ready.”
“Horseback ride?” Jade asked. “I thought we were decorating the Christmas tree?”
The child seemed torn. “Can we do both?”
“Absolutely. The day is ours to spend it how we decide.”
“Then ride first and decorate the tree when we get back,” Jessica said with a firm nod.
Jade watched her father and Jessica leave, and her smile faded. Well, one good thing about postponing the decorating. She could also delay telling Bryce about Mia. Or at least send her rehearsed speech through one more round of edits.
* * *
Bryce stood in front of Jade’s front door with Sasha at his side. Two patrol cars sat in plain sight, but they hadn’t stopped him from approaching the house. Jade must have given them a heads-up that he was coming and bringing a large dog.
So here he was, being a big old chicken about announcing his presence. He shifted and winced as pain arced into his thigh. His leg hurt from his overuse of it yesterday, but not bad enough to keep him down. He lifted his hand to knock, then lowered it. Why was he so nervous? What did he think was going to happen?
Well, the kids might not like him.
Ah…that was the issue. He was almost surprised to find himself that worried about it. But he was.
Sasha looked up at him as though asking him what the delay was. “Sorry, girl. I’m working up the nerve to ring the bell.”
She leaned forward and pressed her nose against the lighted rectangle.
Bryce gaped. “Hey! Wait…” Too late. Chimes went off behind the door and he groaned.
Bell.He should have known better than to say that word while standing on the porch. When he’d been confined to a wheelchair, Sasha had been trained to ring doorbells for him. Apparently, she hadn’t forgotten that part of her training. She sat and looked up at him, waiting for the praise. He scratched her ears with a sigh. “Good girl.”
The door opened and Jade stood there dressed in jeans, a long red cable-knit sweater that reached midthigh and brown boots. She looked gorgeous, and it took a moment to find his tongue. “Um…hey. I’m not too early, am I?” Had she always been so striking?
“Not at all.” She held out a hand to the dog. “Who’s this?”
“Sasha.”
Jade rubbed Sasha’s nose, then worked her way to her ears. The animal groaned her appreciation. “Nice to meet you, Sasha,” Jade said. Sasha lifted her paw, and Jade giggled. The sound went straight to his heart and took his breath away. “Wow. You’re a very smart girl, aren’t you?” She shook the paw. “The kids are going to adore you.”
“Is it okay if she comes in?” Bryce asked.
Even though Sasha was a support animal, he never assumed she would be welcome in everyone’s home—and Jade didn’t know about Sasha’s special role in his life.
“Of course.” She motioned for them to enter.
He and Sasha walked past her and found themselves in a small living area. “It’s cozy,” he said.
When she didn’t answer, he turned to find her standing to the side of the door, almost as though using it for protection, staring out into the distance. “What is it?” he asked.
She shut the door. “I thought I saw someone out near the barn.”
Bryce’s nerves stiffened. “What kind of someone?”
“I’m not sure.” She snagged her weapon from the shoulder holster. “Stay here.”
“Not likely.”
Just like at the shooting range, she darted ahead, and Bryce ground his teeth. At least she didn’t have to call for backup since it was sitting in front of her house. The thought made him feel only slightly better.
