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“Uncle Knox said the waterfall,” Ember said.
“Does anyone need cookies before we go?” Lori held out a tin of cookies, and everyone’s hands reached for them at once.
Knox handed Addy one. “I had to grab one for you. These guys will eat them all if we’re not careful.”
Addy smiled up at him with so much trust in her eyes, and for the first time, I wondered if this relationship would be healthy for my daughter. What if she came to love Knox or to expect him to be part of our lives, but he didn’t want that anymore?
We ate cookies, and the family ribbed each other. It was fun and jovial, and I felt completely at ease with them.
“They’re a little crazy, but you get used to it,” Ireland said to me. “Not that I’ve been around them long, but I quickly fell in love with the Monroes.”
“They’re easy to love,” I said as I met Knox’s gaze across the room, where he was pouring hot apple cider into to-go mugs for everyone.
“Is there something going on between you two?” Ireland asked, her voice low.
I forced myself to look away from Knox. “Oh, no. We’re just friends.”
Her expression fell. “That’s disappointing. I was hoping for another girl around here. Lori’s used to being surrounded by men, but me, not so much. At work, it’s all women.”
“You work at Happily Ever Afters, right?”
“It’s like working with a bunch of your friends. It doesn’t even feel like a job. And I love planning weddings.”
“That does sound fun.” She got out of the house and was able to interact with people. Normally, I enjoyed working from home, but I was starting to miss human interaction. Especially now that I saw what it was like with this family.
“I’m hoping to plan a few events here on the farm. We’ll see how it goes. The guys don’t like to have a lot of people on the property, and certainly not year-round, so it’s a balancing act.”
“Are we ready to get started?” Lori asked.
A collection of cheers ran through the group, and we headed toward the door, donning gloves, mittens, and boots. Then we spilled out into the yard, where Emmett led the way toward the waterfall.
Knox fell into step with me because Ember and Addy were running ahead of everyone. “We built a few landscaping features on the property. It was meant to be an advertisement for my business, but we loved it so much we kept adding to it. But it all started with the waterfall, and that’s Ireland’s favorite feature on the farm.
“I love the lights.” The paths were lit with twinkling lights, and it gave it a cheery feel.
“We built those for my mother when she’d walk late at night, but everyone’s grown to love them. They’re a great addition.”
“I agree.” I could just imagine what it would be like to live here and walk these paths whenever you wanted. “It’s like having your own holiday wonderland.”
“We were talking about getting tickets for the ice sculptures in DC. There’s a new holiday theme each year. I think this year is Rudolph. Would you like to join us?”
I remembered those tickets being expensive. “I’m not sure.”
“Addy would love to go, and Ember would love the company. She’s always hanging out with her uncles. Please come.”
“You have your mom and Ireland.”
“Ember would love it if Addy were there.”
I nudged his shoulder with mine. “I feel like you’re manipulating me.”
“What are friends for if not to encourage you to do more things that are fun?”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’ll get the tickets and pick you up.”
“Okay. That sounds fun.”
