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She rolls her eyes. “I already did.” She points to the three packages laying under the bench in the gazebo. “See?”
“I guess it’s time to pick out your own present then.”
“I can?”
Damon pulls on the pompom on top of her winter hat. “Of course, you can, squirt.”
Skye makes a beeline for the biggest package on the town square.
“How do we know the present is kid-friendly?” Damon asks.
“All presents are kid-friendly. But presents meant specifically for children are wrapped in green paper.”
“Now I understand why you threw a fit when I wanted to use the green wrapping paper.”
“I didn’t throw a fit.”
I don’t throw fits anymore. I am no longer a drama queen. I’ve officially retired my crown. The press release has been sent.
“You tackled me to the ground and smacked me over the head with the roll of wrapping paper until it was ruined.”
I snort. “You think what I did was a fit?” I shake my head. “So naïve. And utterly unprepared for having a teenage daughter who dates.”
He glares at me. “You’re cruel.”
“But I didn’t throw a fit.”
Skye returns dragging a huge box with her. “Can I open it? Can I?”
Damon smiles at her. The love for his daughter is clear in his eyes. My dad may have been the best dad ever but Damon is a close second.
“Go ahead, squirt. Let’s see what you got.”
I kneel down and help her rip the wrapping paper off the gift. This is Winter Falls. We usually try to recycle wrapping paper. But there’s no way I’m stopping this precious girl from enjoying tearing wrapping paper off of her gift.
“It’s a water gun!” Skye giggles in delight while Damon groans.
“It’s too cold for a water fight now,” Damon says as he places the toy in the bag he’s carrying.
Skye sticks out her bottom lip. “You’re no fun.”
“And I’m cold.”
I wink at Skye. “Your daddy is a big wuss about the cold weather.” She giggles as she places her hand in mine. “Shall we get some hot chocolate to warm him up?”
“Yes!” She skips and I hurry to keep up with her.
We make our way to the booth set up in front ofClove’s Coffee Cornernext to the town square. We join the line behind Aspen and her husband Lyric. Their son, Sterling, is balanced on Lyric’s hip playing with the badge on the chief of police’s uniform.
Aspen glances over her shoulder but the smile on her face dies when she realizes who’s standing behind her.
I swallow. I don’t blame her for not liking me. I did come between her and Lyric’s happiness after all. I inch backwards but Damon places his hand on my lower back to stop me. Dang. I guess this is one of those times I need to be the new and improved brave Love Hill.
“Hello, Aspen. Are you having a good time?”
She frowns at me. “I was.”
The implication is clear. Her good time was ruined when I showed up.
