Page 6 of The Christmas Blueprint

“Got your work cut out for you,” Killian said in the stupidest understatement of the year.

“It’s a mission like any other,” Hunter said, his features drawn. “No room for failure.” He glanced down the hallway to the closed bathroom door and then looked at Killian. “But I got zip for training on this one,” he whispered. “You know what my childhood was like.”

Killian really didn’t. He’d suspected. Imagined. He’d seen the bruises. He’d heard the taunts from other kids about the recognizable cast-off clothing Hunter and Lisa wore to school. The free breakfast and lunch and after school snack plan they were on. The rotating door of relatives, friends, and foster families. But Hunter hadn’t talked about any of it. And Killian and Enrique Reyes—the third leg in their tight friendship stool—hadn’t known how to bring it up.

“I didn’t want to do this,” Hunter said. “I’ve always been so damn careful.”

“Hey,” Killian interrupted fiercely, even though his own head was reeling just at the possibility that he might need to step in for Hunter for a week or a month or who the heck knew how long? He did know that Hunter’s sister and family weren’t due to move back to Bear Creek until the first week of February, a week before Hunter’s emergency family leave ran out. But Lisa was due to have her baby in early March, and so he would be her backup to help with errands or childcare as she recovered and adjusted to a baby and toddler in the house.

“You always took care of Lisa. You were always a great friend. You’re a fantastic team leader. You’re going to be a great dad,” he insisted.

Hunter’s expression was steeped in doubt, but there was steel in his green eyes too. “I have to be,” he said. “She deserves my best, and I’m starting far back in the race,” he muttered. “Harlow’s already halfway to adulthood. I missed half her life.” His voice broke. “Just gone—” he waved his fingers “—like I was completely unimportant. How is that even possible?”

Killian heard the ache in Hunter’s voice and anger coursed through him at the injustice. Hunter may not have planned on having children, but he was one of the most responsible men Killian knew.

“I have no idea what she thinks about where I’ve been. Why I haven’t been in her life.” Hunter’s voice bled frustration. “She just stares at me with Ariel’s mystical eyes. Watches my every move like I’m going to poof out again, and the thing is, I will. I’m on the hook for another year. Another—” he broke off the curse and ran his hand through his hair “—year,” he repeated softly.

“How did…?” Killian wasn’t sure how to ask the question.

“Her mom fronted a blues band. We met at South by Southwest in Austin when I had some leave. Had a few days together, and she headed off back on tour. Travel and music was in her blood,” he said. “Never heard from her again.” Hunter’s features scrunched.

“She had my name. Number. Knew I was army. She got a kick out of that.” His lips twisted. “The perceived badass danger, but also, I think the rules and structure amused her. She was with me for kicks. I was with her because she only wanted a few days of fun. She was such a free spirit. Wild. Fascinating. Beautiful. Sexy. A bit like those wild Mustangs in the Steens Mountain Wilderness.”

Hunter’s voice softened with the memory. “Never met anyone like her,” he said. “I was fascinated, but she made it clear after the festival that we were done.”

Killian stared, not able to make the pieces fit. Harlow exited the bathroom and then ran upstairs. “I want to find my book in my backpack.”

“Okay, but we’re going to eat,” Hunter said. “Food’s getting cold.”

“Coming. I always read when I eat.”

Killian saw Hunter’s mouth tip up in a smile. He might have only been a parent a few short weeks, but Killian could tell he was already fully invested.

He wasn’t sure how to ask for more of the story, and maybe it wasn’t any of his business, but Hunter was one of his oldest friends.

“I’ll take you out for a beer one night soon for the full story,” he said.

“That will take a six-pack.” Hunter’s laugh sounded raw. “And the beer will have to be here or at the hotel where we’ve been staying until Lisa’s place is ready to inhabit. But short version, Harlow’s grandma’s been mostly raising her with Ariel flitting back into their lives occasionally the first few years, but then she passed in a tour bus accident in Bosnia when Harlow was five.”

Hunter’s voice quieted, and he bowed his head like he was praying. Killian swore softly.

“The grandma started a search for Harlow’s father, but it wasn’t until Lisa did one of those DNA ancestry things trying to find out more about our family—looking for something good I guess, when she learned she and Nick were expecting their first. She found a link and Harlow’s grandmother contacted her. Ariel hadn’t talked about me and didn’t want to bring me into their lives, but she had slipped up one day so the grandma knew my first name, and that I was from Oregon. Harlow’s grandma also found some pictures Ariel and I had taken in one of those photo booths at the festival when she finally got up the nerve to clear out Ariel’s things. Weird she saved them but had never shown the pictures to Harlow or her mom. Harlow has them now taped in a sketch pad I bought her.”

“Wow.” Killian ran his hand through his hair. “Meant to be.” Maybe there was a God watching out for everyone living their lives. His mother had strongly believed so, even when she got sick and passed so staggeringly fast. But Killian had lost his faith on the day they buried his mother.

“I’m lucky I have a shot to be her dad,” Hunter said. “And I appreciate more than you know that you’d be willing to come home so you can be with Harlow if I get called up before Lisa arrives and also to step in to help Lisa if she needs it. Nick’s job won’t involve so much travel now, but he’ll still be on the road fixing heavy equipment in Oregon and Washington, so he will be gone a few days at a time.”

“Of course,” Killian said quickly. “Anything you or Harlow need. Anything,” he reiterated, meaning it.

He only wished he’d been as quick to agree to Enrique’s plans a few years ago. Would it have made a difference? He’d never know now.

Harlow skipped back into the room holding a paperback book with a library sticker on it and a fantastical cat on the cover.

They ate the dinner as the night swaddled the house, and Hunter talked about his sister’s plans to start a small hobby farm.

“I bought a few acres adjacent,” he said, looking at Harlow. “I’d like to hire you to start working on the design—let Harlow help you if I’m called away early. I want to be near Lisa and family. That’s best for Harlow. Best for all of us,” Hunter said, looking at his food.

Killian nodded, feeling like Hunter had just stabbed a knife in him. Killian had left his family. All his brothers and cousins had left as well. Scattered. Now his dad and stepmom and aunt and uncle had sold up and moved to Palm Desert in California. Only Riley was still in Bear Creek, and he’d just arrived and was already plotting his escape.

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