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“Only if you promise to do the same.”

He grins. “Deal.”

There’s something brewing again between us, but I don’t know if I have the strength to stop it this time. I certainly don’t want to.

By the time Upton drags the last of the Christmas boxes down and has them stacked along the wall, I’m yawning so hard my eyes water. He urges me to sit while he sets to assembling the Christmas tree. Claudette watches with curiosity. It’s long past her bedtime, but she’s just as enamored with Upton as I am. I don’t have the heart to make her go to bed yet.

As Upton works on the tree, I can’t help but imagine a life where we married all those years ago and actually made it work. Would we have had happy Christmases, watching with pride as Nora opened all her gifts from Santa? Would we have built a home here in Budgie Bay and made a life here? Would I have eventually repaired the relationship with my mother?

It’s useless to think about what could have been. I have to focus on what’s happening now. This man is in my home, aching to be a part of my family. The ache is mutual.

And yet, fear still has a clutch on my heart.

What if he gets bored?

Heads back to Seattle to live the big city life?

There are days I wish I could up and move Dad back to New York. Of course I wouldn’t, but I still daydream about it. New York was home for so long. I had friends and hobbies and interests there.

Here I have nothing.

Liar.

You have Dad, Nora, and now Upton.

And there’s always Monday Bunko night over at The Icehouse.

Warmth settles in my chest. I’ve been so icy and prickly toward Budgie Bay, I realize I’m beginning to thaw toward it. I have a budgie now for crying out loud.

Maybe I can make new friends and reconnect with old ones. Settle in and stay a while. Don’t always hide out in the cottage, obsessing over my failures.

“Thanks for staying and doing this,” I say to Upton. “It’s been therapeutic.”

He nods. “Get used to it. I’m not going anywhere.”

His words are a balm for my soul.

“So, we’re coparenting now. Officially. A little late, but better than never.” I sigh heavily. “And dare I say friends, too?”

Upton looks over his shoulder and hikes up his eyebrow. “Friends? Sandy Everhart, we’ve always been a lot more than friends. But, if that’s what you need to hear tonight to make this more palatable, then I’ll go with it.”

Heat makes my cheeks burn. “Well, we’re certainly not dating.”

“Yet. I was working up to that part.” He plugs in the lights and half of them illuminate. “I’ll bring another strand tomorrow.”

“I’m sure Cindy Lou Who next door has one. Let me ask her first.” I rise to my feet and glance at the clock. “It’s late. I hate keeping you out like this.”

“The pleasure is mine.” His grin is teasing as he approaches me. “Can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?”

I tilt my head up so I can see him as he nears. “I’d like that. What’s the dress code?”

“Depends on where you want to go.”

“I kind of miss home. Maybe give me a little fancy taste of New York?”

He reaches up a hand and brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “I can arrange that.”

“So, my best dress?”