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She glanced toward the window. “I wouldn’t want him to have to leave his guests.” Dianna seemed to hesitate before setting her gaze on him. “Would it be okay if I crashed on the couch tonight and we can evaluate the roads in the morning?”
“Absolutely.” The words burst from inside him before he had a chance to rein in his enthusiasm. Her idea was likely better anyway. Trying to get back to the club after the dumping that occurred over the last hour didn’t look at all appealing, especially considering they were finally warm and dry, save for their hair. Plus he wouldn’t want Mathew to wake up and him not be there. Even if it was only for a few minutes. Tristan scooped Mathew into his arms and smiled at her. “I’ll be right back.”
He moved toward the bedroom and Mathew let out a heavy sigh. “Daddy?”
“Yeah, kiddo?”
“I really like Miss Dianna.”
“Me too, bud.”
“Can she be my new mom?”
Tristan’s chest tightened. His stomach rolled and knotted. “We’ve talked about this, buddy. It’s not as easy as that.”
“But I asked Santa for a new mom.”
Tristan carefully placed Mathew on his bed in the small room. Pain sliced through his heart, splintering it with each breath he took. “When did you do that?”
“I wrote him a letter when we got here and gave it to that nice man.”
Tristan’s brows furrowed. “Do you mean Shane?”
Mathew yawned and rolled over. “Miss Dianna would be the perfect mom.”
He had no argument there. He just couldn’t guarantee such a thing was possible. Tristan sat on the edge of the bed and ran a hand over his son’s head before kissing his damp hair. “Goodnight, buddy.” He didn’t know how long he stayed there, staring at his boy, but when his thoughts cleared, he eased off the bed and quietly closed the bedroom door.
Upon entering the living room, he found Dianna curled up on the couch, the knit blanket covering her body. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was heavy. After the strain she’d put on her body while playing in the snow in less-than-ideal clothing, it wasn’t a surprise she had fallen asleep so easily.
Tristan watched her for a moment, doing his best not to imagine a future with her the way Mathew had suggested. Neither one of them could afford another broken heart right now. He moved to the edge of the couch and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, growing still when she let out a soft sigh. Thankfully, Dianna didn’t stir any more than that. He gathered another heavier blanket and draped it over her sleeping form, then put out the fire and returned to his room.
18
Dianna
Dianna’s nose itched and she scrunched it up.
Something light grazed it. She sniffled, then rubbed it.
“Dad, she’s waking up.”
“Mathew, I told you to leave her alone.”
“But she’s waking up.”
Her eyes fluttered open and she gasped, finding Mathew’s bright blue eyes staring at her.
“You slept a long time,” Mathew said.
Dianna blinked a few times. It was dimmer than she would have expected it to be for a Saturday morning. Then again, kids like Mathew didn’t typically sleep in. She yawned and stretched her arms over her head just as Tristan came into view with a steaming mug.
He held it out and offered her an apologetic smile. “Good morning.”
She sat up and accepted the cup. Her fingers curled around the warm ceramic and she breathed in the scent of peppermint tea. That’s why he smelled like that.
Mathew hopped up onto the couch beside her and held out her cell. “Your phone keeps buzzing.”
Her eyes flew wide and she nearly dropped her drink in her lap. “Oh my gosh. I forgot about Brielle.”
