Page 63 of Auctioned to the Lumberjacks (Auctioned)

Sometimes, we need to face up to our past, but sometimes, it’s better to leave it buried.

We’re drawing a line in the sand. The rest of our lives start today.

After an hour, Hallie begins to fuss and arch her back, ready for a nap already.

“I should go.” Shona rises from the table and scoops up her bag.

“Where will you go?” Skye asks her.

“I’m thinking the West Coast. Somewhere hot. I’m done with the cold winters.”

“I’ll miss you,” Skye says, bouncing Hallie to keep her calm. “Hallie will miss you.”

Shona smiles sadly but makes her way to the door. “Be safe,” she says.

“We will.” Jack tugs open the front door, and Shona turns to smile at us all, raising her hand in a simple wave.

She pulls a woolen hat from her purse and tugs it onto her head. Then, with a simple nod, she leaves.

Skye disappears to put Hallie down for a nap, probably because she’s upset. Shona’s a friend, and it’s hard to say goodbye.

I watch through the window as Shona climbs into her Toyota and drives away.

The last thread connecting Skye to her old life snaps.

It’s December first, and Jack insisted on driving us all into town. Hallie’s wrapped up snug in her stroller, and Skye is wearing an adorable pink fluffy hat that West bought her last week. The stores on Main Street are adorned with lights and festive decorations. Even Reggie has strung some lights around his bar.

West pushes Hallie’s stroller proudly, and we’re stopped along the way by Liam, who’s laden with shopping, and Armen, who pulls up next to us on his motorbike, scaring Hallie with the rumble. Skye smiles sweetly when everyone comments on Hallie. She’s such a proud, happy mom.

Jack disappears into a store, urging us to stay outside. After five minutes, he appears with a huge and very beautiful wreath. “For the cabin door,” he says.

Skye reaches out to touch the sparkly red bow and touches Jack’s arm in silent thanks. He pulls her into a side hug, kissing her forehead.

We’re starting holiday traditions as a family and seeing my friends so deeply content is the best gift I could get.

As though the universe senses our holiday cheer, snow begins to fall gently from the white sky, dancing like glisteningfairies. Hallie gazes up, blinking quickly as flakes get caught in her lashes. She sticks out her tongue and then giggles as the coolness registers.

Skye holds her hands out, catching disappearing crystals in her warm palms.

All around us, people stop and smile as the silence that comes with the start of snow settles on our community.

So much has changed since that day we drove to an auction, wanting to find a woman who could make our lives better. The things we thought we needed turned out to be secondary to what we’ve found to be the most important.

Connection. Affection. Love.

We might have bid on a woman, but what we truly found was a family.

And that is the most priceless gift of all.

EPILOGUE

JACK

A FOREST FAMILY

ONE YEAR LATER

“Daddy!” The sweetest sound snaps me out of my concentration zone, and I turn to see Hallie waddling along, wrapped in a scarlet red cape and a chunky white knit scarf made by her momma.

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