Page 19 of Mission: Merry Christmas
She remembered her childhood with Corinne. They’d loved playing outside in the snow. “When I was your age, we’d play in the bitter cold so long that when we came inside, the heat would feel like it was burning our cheeks. It took forever for us to thaw out.” Their mom had to threaten restriction to get them in the house. “My sister and I would put our wet coats and gloves over the heating vent in the kitchen. They were so warm and toasty the next time we went outside.”
“That sounds fun.”
“It was, but I bet it’s fun here, too. It’s so awesome that you can play in the water all year long. Even at Christmas.”
“We have the tallest Christmas tree on the island at my dad’s work.”
“Wow! That’s lucky. Do you help decorate that, too?”
“No. It’s not real. It’s made of lights on wires, but in the dark, it looks really cool. There’s a star on top that shoots a laser straight up into the sky so Santa doesn’t miss his stop here. We’re a little island. He could accidentally fly right over if Dad didn’t set that up.”
He looked as serious as a traffic controller.
“I hadn’t even thought of that,” she said. “Your dad is really smart.”
“Verysmart.” Nico said.
Drew walked into the room. “You must be talking about me.”
Nico busted out laughing. “Not this time, Uncle Drew.”
“What? You don’t think I’m smart?” Drew picked up the boy and swung him in the air and over his head.
“I do, but—” Nico sang out in a fit of giggles.
And then a raucous game of tag ensued, and she hadn’t quite heard such a happy noise in all of her life. There’d been a time when she dreamed of having a family. Of afternoon’s outside playing with her husband and children, something she’d always wished her parents had done with her and Corinne. They’d always been too busy working.
At that moment, it hit her. She’d always vowed she wouldn’t be like her own parents, too busy to enjoy time with family. Yet, here she was. Nowhere close to having a family of her own, and she hadn’t made it home for Christmas in a couple of years.Look what putting work first has gotten me. Here I am, spending the holiday alone with no job, no apartment and no prospects.
She closed her eyes.If I ever get so lucky as to meet the right guy and have a family, I’ll never let work get in the way of spending time with them.
ChapterTen
Averywas anxious to talk to Drew about their situation. He didn’t realize she’d recognized him, and she was positive he had no idea who she worked for—or used to—or that definitely would’ve come up in conversation.
She wanted to straighten all of that out, but she also knew that the immediate lift in Drew’s spirit was due to that little eight-year-old who’d just started Christmas break. Attitude had a direct correlation to healing just as much as the exercises, rehab, nutrition, and sleep it would take to get this man back in shape.
She refused to shoot holes in Drew Laskin’s sails, which seemed to have finally caught wind.
So, she and the guys spent the day playing in the pool, while she snuck in activities that worked all the muscles she needed Drew to work. It went well. Very well. In fact, she rather liked the idea of integrating this into her portfolio for future use if the outcome concluded as she expected. In all the time she’d worked with athletes, pulling them away from their family, the thought had never occurred to her that it could become a family effort, and maybe more enjoyable in the process.
For two days straight, Nico and Drew were inseparable. They set up a tent city in the living room, draping sheets and blankets over tables and chairs to make the biggest fort she’d ever seen.
Nico had insisted on leading her through the maze himself, so she would know where to deliver their hot dogs for dinner, which she’d happily done although Drew’s were made of turkey.
When the two of them had finally called it a night, Avery had retired to her room, but she couldn’t sleep. So, she put on her robe then quietly went back outside.
The heated pool was a plus. She sat down on the edge and dangled her legs in the water. The cooler nights were pleasant—almost like no weather at all. She stared off into the night sky. The stars seemed so close. If it weren’t for the moon, it might be pitch black with no streetlights or homes nearby.
“He’s totally smitten with you,” Drew said from behind her.
“Hey! You startled me.” Her hand covered her heart. “I didn’t hear you come out.”
“Sorry about that.”
“You’re talking about Nico? I have a feeling that little boy loves everyone.”
“He’s a great kid.” Drew sat next to her.
