Page 20 of Mission: Merry Christmas
“You’re really good with him,” she said.
“You sound surprised.”
“It’s a softer side of you that I didn’t expect.”
“You had me pegged as a stereotypical egocentric, no-time-for-anyone-but-me kind of guy?”
She winced. He was absolutely right. “I’m sorry. I guess it’s an occupational hazard. I run into that a lot. I can see that’s not the case with you.”
“Thank you,” he said. “Nico is easy to be around. Truth is, before my sister got married, I probably was that guy.”
“So she lives here on the island.”
“Yeah. Brooke’s husband was born and raised here. He owns the resort. It’s the family business. That’s why I bought a place here.”
“Where’s the rest of your family?”
“We grew up in North Carolina, but it’s just me and my sister now. Mom died when we were in high school, and my dad passed away about three years ago.”
She couldn’t imagine losing both parents so young. It made her feel worse for skipping Christmas at home in Vermont. “I’m sorry. That must’ve been hard.”
“Yeah, he was a great father. He was always there for us. Family has always been important to me, but I love it even more since Brooke got married, and I became an instant uncle to Nico.” He sat quietly for a moment. “I could see myself with a couple of kids now. Nico amazes me. He makes me want to be better, to set a good example for him.”
“I guess it’s hard when your training and on the road. Married to the game.”
He shrugged and playfully bumped her shoulder. “Nico has good taste in women.”
A charmer like his uncle. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t mean to heist your private time. I heard you up, and I wanted to thank you for being flexible the last couple of days. I mean, I know this isn’t exactly what you’re getting paid to do. Entertain my nephew and all.”
“As long as you’re progressing, it’s all good. Laughter and love can cure just about anything.” She got up. “I’m going to go try to get some sleep.”
“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt—”
“You didn’t. I’m just enjoying the end of a really good day.” She turned and walked inside.
He followed right behind her, dropping to his knees to crawl into the fort.
Avery giggled, stopping to watch.
“Good night, Avery.” The sheets rustled as the grown man worked his way back into the fort with his nephew.
That’s a hero.
On the third morning since Nico had started coming over, he surprised Avery with breakfast in bed. She knew Drew was behind it by the shape of the scrambled eggs and bacon on her plate.
“Look. We made a lizard for you,” Nico proudly announced. “Uncle Drew says you love lizards.”
“Isn’t he the nicest man in the world?” It had been sarcastic, but Nico had no idea. He nodded his head.
Drew Laskin was probably a bigger hero than Santa in this little boy’s eyes.
That morning while Drew swam laps, Nico told her his plan to ask Santa to send snowflakes for Christmas so everyone could have those snowy-day smiles she’d told him about. His tiny heart touched hers in a way she’d never felt before.
How sweet is it to see the world through those innocent eyes?
She hoped that someday, she could have a little boy of her own who was just as precious as this one.
