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We enter the community center where the children’s Christmas party is being held to complete chaos. Kids are running around screaming, people are packed into every corner, and someone is doing a deafening guitar solo ofWe Wish You A Merry Christmas.
Damon’s eyes are wide as he looks around. “This is not what I was expecting.”
“Welcome to Winter Falls.”
He grins. “Winter Falls is awesome.”
On occasions such as today, I agree. At other times, I’m not so sure.
“Aunt Eden!” Skye shouts and wrenches her hand from mine. I chase after her. She should be safe here amongst the people of Winter Falls, but it’s hard for me to trust them. To trust anyone.
Eden notices Skye rushing toward her and kneels down to hug her. “Do you want to make a wreath?”
Skye jumps up and down. “Can I, Nanny Love?”
I ignore the slash of pain at hearing Skye call me Nanny Love. I am the nanny. I’m not an aunt or another member of the family. The nanny is all I’ll ever be. Good reminder.
I force a smile on my face. “Of course.”
“Yes!” She cheers and runs to the table where Eden has her supplies laid out for wreath making. She waves to Miller. “Hi, Uncle Miller.”
“Hi, squirt.” He winks at her and his face changes from grumpy to hot.
Eden bumps my hip as she passes. “Now you know why I couldn’t resist the man.”
“Good morning,” I greet Miller. I get a grunt in response.
Eden rolls her eyes. “Don’t mind the grumpy giant.”
“We preferred the grumpy asshole when we were kids,” Damon chimes in.
“Shush you. Little ears. All around you.” I point to Skye.
He shrugs. “Grumpy jerk doesn’t have the same ring to it.”
Judging by the roll of his eyes, Miller doesn’t care whether everyone thinks he’s a grump or not. I’ve never spent much time around the man. His grumpy demeanor puts me off. It reminds me of… I shiver.
Damon wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Are you cold?”
“No, I’m…” I shut up when I realize I was about to confess how Miller reminds me of Mr. Simon.Way to go, Love. Way to keep your secrets secret.
Damon frowns at me. “This is why I think you should tell everyone.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Tell everyone what? I have poor circulation and can’t warm up?”
His eyes flare. “I can warm you up.”
I push him away. “Knock it off, Angel of Death.”
He chuckles.
Behind me, someone claps. I whirl around to find Moon grinning at us.
“Why are you clapping?” There isn’t a reason to clap. The guitar soloist is in the middle of the longest rendition ofWe Wish You A Merry Christmasknown to man.
She cocks an eyebrow. “Because I think you might have earned yourself a Bragg woman t-shirt.”
“A Bragg woman t-shirt?” What is she talking about?
