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“In case you haven’t noticed,” Xander said, “our big brother has taken a shine to the schoolteacher. If anything, I’m more worried about him than her.”
“Why’s that?” Hannah asked.
“Because this is the first time that I’ve seen him this way. Jacob Jacobs doesn’t have a heart, right?”
“Or so the world believes.”
“Yup, and I think he’d started to believe it, too. But he has a heart, and he hasn’t exposed it much, so it’ll probably bruise easily.”
“Aww,” Hannah went and kissed his cheek, “and I though you didn’t have a heart.”
Xander shrugged. “I just chose to leave mine here at home when I signed up. I don’t have any need for it in my job.”
Hannah didn’t miss the look Chelsea gave him. She’d have to ask her about that later. She had a feeling that when Xander said that he’d left his heart at home, he meant here in Napa, not here in this house. She’d always had a feeling that she knew who he’d left it with. And now she guessed that Chelsea might know the answer.
Scooter barked, and Xander laughed. “I know, dude. You want to go join the party, right? Let’s go. I say you let him off his leash, Grady. He’ll be fine.”
Grady looked at Hannah, and she nodded. Scooter loved everyone. He wasn’t going to be a problem.
He led the way back to the family room, his tail wagging eagerly as he followed the sound of voices. He went straight to Ava, and she ran to meet him. Hannah loved the way she took him around to introduce him to everyone. She’d come so far from the shy little girl she’d first met at the restaurant.
Grady came and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I take it Xander was the big surprise?”
“Yes. I’m so happy he made it. This is the first year we’ve all been home together for the holidays since …”
“Since your folks?”
She nodded. “Don’t worry. I don’t get upset about that much anymore. They’ve been gone a long time. I stopped because … look.”
Ava had still been sitting on Jacob’s knee when they came in, but he’d taken advantage of her departure, and was now standing beside Becca, who was talking to Mary Ellen and Antonio.
“I feel kind of responsible for her. Do you think she’s going to be okay with him?”
Hannah turned to look at him. “I hope so – I hope they both will.” She reached up and kissed him. “You’re awesome. Have I told you that lately?”
“Not for at least an hour. What did I do?”
She laughed. “I love that you want to look out for Becca.”
“She’s on her own. That can be tough. I wouldn’t even say that we’re friends, but we kind of bonded because she was new at the same time Ava was. I had no clue what I was doing as a parent at the school. Some of those moms are scary, and I felt like they were all judging me and finding me wanting. Becca reassured me that I was doing okay, and we got to talking.”
“You’re a good man, Grady Pierce.”
He shrugged. “Uh-oh. Look at this.”
She followed his gaze to where Jacob and Becca were now sitting on the sofa. Ava was coming up behind them, holding her mistletoe up in the air with a big grin on her face.
“Do you think I should stop her?” Grady asked.
“Too late.”
Ava tapped the top of Jacob’s head and grinned and waved the mistletoe at him when he turned around.
Hannah’s hand came up to cover her mouth when she saw the way Jacob and Becca looked at each other. The corners of Jacob’s mouth turned up in a small smile and he cocked one eyebrow.
“Jesus,” Grady breathed beside her. “I feel like I should run over there and cover Ava’s eyes.”
Hannah giggled. “I think you’re safe. She’s too busy with Scooter now.” Ava had stuck the mistletoe between the cushions on the sofa and was chasing Scooter again.
