Page 52 of Christmas on Ice
Her little voice was barely audible as she mumbled into his sleeve. “One more sleep ‘til Christmas, Tig-man,” she whispered.
“That’s right, baby,” he whispered, pressing his eyes closed.
The way he cradled her in his arms, then gently laid her down touched me so deeply I couldn’t speak as a realization crashed into me full-speed.
He loved my little girl.
Trask’s strong arm snaked around my waist and pulled me to him. I leaned my head on his shoulder, and we watched Ryleigh sleep for a few minutes.
“I guess I should go.”
“Mmm.” I mumbled into his shoulder. Despite the fun day together, there was still a cloud hanging over us. I was still in a bit of a somber mood and hated feeling so un-Christmassy.Ryleigh didn’t know her dad was hurt, and I dreaded telling her.
“Or,” he whispered into my hair. The vibrations of his voice incited goosebumps down my neck and arms.
“Or?” I whispered, looking up at him. His eyes sparkled, reflecting in the soft glow of the nearby nightlight.
“I could help get ready for Santa.”
I smiled. “Follow me.”
Slipping my hand in his, I led him back down the stairs where my family was cleaning up from the day’s festivities. After we said goodbye to my grandparents, I led Trask into the garage and pointed to my old hope chest. Purged of memories from my first marriage, it now held Ryleigh’s Christmas gifts.
He let go of my hand and lifted the lid to reveal brightly wrapped princess-themed Christmas paper. “Nice. Reminds me…I have a little gift I got for Ryleigh. It didn’t arrive until after I left to come over here. Is it okay if I bring it by tomorrow?”
“That was sweet of you,” I said. Sutton’s parents still planned to come over early to watch Ryleigh open her Santa gifts. “I’m not sure what our plans for the day are yet. Can I call you after Ryleigh opens her presents?”
“Sure,” he said, but he looked away. I could tell by his tone he was disappointed. I loved how much he cared for my girl and me, but we were in rough waters right now, and I didn’t know how to navigate them.
While we arranged the gifts, one by one, my family popped in to say goodnight. When everything was set, I walked Trask out, and we shared a long goodnight kiss on the front porch. On the lawn, Ryleigh’s reindeer food glittered in the moonlight.
He pulled away, and I wrapped my arms around him. “I know things are still kind of up in the air with you going back to Colorado,” he said. “Would you like me to rebook your flight on the twenty-sixth to a later date?”
I leaned into him as it hit me. I didn’t know how long I’d need to stay here. If Sutton didn’t make it … I shuddered. I’d have to call Brenna to find coverage for me at Brewski’s. “Yes, please.”
“Okay, any idea for when?”
I shook my head. “Maybe you should just cancel it? I’ll book my own flight when I know.” I cringed, thinking about what the cost would do to my already-hurting bank account.
“Okay. Um… Do you think you’ll be back for New Year’s? Coach is having a party.”
“I hope so, but...I don’t know. Things are so uncertain right now.”
“I understand. I hate this for you, Kami. You and Ryleigh should be having the best Christmas, and instead…I’m sorry.”
“Thanks for being here, Trask.” I looked up into his beautiful face. I wanted so much more with him. I knew he understood Ryleigh was my number one priority, and part of that was making sure she had a relationship with her father. I wished, not for the first time, that things weren’t so complicated.
He held my gaze, and my heart thumped, waiting for him to reply. Instead, he nodded, kissed me on the cheek, and let go. My eyes watered as I watched him jog down the porch steps and to his old pickup. He waved before he got in, and I lifted my hand as he drove off.
I pulled my sweater tightly around me, immediately aware of the loss of Trask’s warmth.
27
Trask
Icouldn’t remember a Christmas morning that had ever felt this un-Christmassy. I went through the motions on autopilot, never feeling authentically present. My mind wasn’t there, and I couldn’t put my heart into celebrating knowing that Kami was suffering and my sweet little Ryleigh-girl might lose her dad.
The whole family came over for a late breakfast. Mylee brought a huge bag of new toys and from Santa, and I distracted myself helping Chad put them together. When I hadn’t heard an update by early afternoon, I drove out to Kami’s parents’ place. She’d mentioned Sutton’s parents would be there in the morning, so I hoped they’d be gone by the time I arrived. I hated to see her so down, and I wanted to be there to support her.
