Page 25 of Their Little Snow Angel
I hurry forward and hug him. “Dad, you shouldn’t be alone on Christmas?—”
He smiles. “It’s fine.”
It isn’t fine. He really loved Retta. It was easy to see. He doted on her. He changed his whole life to suit hers. And now they’re splitting up on Christmas, of all times? I squeeze his hand. “Let’s have breakfast together, at least?”
He shoots a look at Mikayla. “Should you get back to Jonah?”
“I can stay for breakfast.” She grins at me. “I need to get to know my bestie’s new boyfriends, after all.”
My boyfriends. I can’t believe I went from getting dumped by a dud, to finding two amazing boyfriends.
Brody makes pancakes, and Heath pops a quiche in the oven. Breakfast starts off quiet, without much conversation. But Brody and Heath are attentive to me, respectful of Dad, and kind to my friend. Mikayla is charmed by them. We talk about plans for the future. Luckily, they both live in San Esteban because they work for Ironwood.
“Are you moving in together?” Dad narrows his eyes at them.
“Whenever Violet is ready,” Heath says without hesitation.
Everyone looks at me. I clear my throat. “Not right away. I think we should date first.”
Dad seems satisfied. Mikayla nods her approval, as well.
By the time we’re finished with breakfast, Dad seems to have relaxed.
“I should probably get Mikayla home,” he says. “Thank you for breakfast.”
“Thank you for hearing us out.” Brody meets his gaze across the table. “We really, truly love Violet. We’ll move at her pace.”
Dad nods. It isn’t up to him how fast or slow we go, but he seems to appreciate the reassurance.
We all get up and make our way to the door.
“All green flags,” Mikayla says, squeezing my hand. “See you in a couple of days?”
“Yeah. Thanks for being here, and helping my dad with all this.”
“I’m glad I could help.” She pulls me into a big hug.
I say goodbye to my dad next. He stands by the door, surveying the living room, our undecorated tree, the crackling fire in the fireplace. I try to see it from his point of view, and it appears wholesome and happy to me.
He hugs me tight. “I love you so much, Vi. None of that changes. The guys are besotted with you, which isn’t a surprise.”
“I’m besotted with them, too.”
“Then you have my blessing.”
Tears prick my eyes once more, but this time, they’re happy tears.
13
Mason
Leaving Violet behind with Brody and Heath awakens feelings I can’t quite parse. My daughter is grown—I’ve known this for a long time. But to see her in the arms of my kinky friends? It will take some getting used to.
Having breakfast together reassured me of their intentions, though. They truly seem to dote on her.
Mikayla is quiet as we walk to my car. The ring at the front of her collar glints in the late morning glare. Brody and Heath both took note of the collar and I could see the questions in their eyes, but this collar has nothing to do with me. Her boyfriend put it there, marking her as his.
I open the door for her and stare at the passenger seat. A wet spot stains the leather.
