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“Nothing too crazy,” I warned her.
She pouted. “We’ll grab dinner and a drink. It will be fun.”
“That does sound nice.” I couldn’t remember the last time I got dressed up and went out.
“Why can’t I go?” Addy asked.
“You can another time. I need some sister time with Aunt Grace,” I said, trying to placate her.
“I want a sister.” Addy’s lip protruded.
I sighed. We’d had this conversation more times than I could count. “You need another person to have a child.”
“You have Knox.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Maybe you could be more than friends.”
My eyes widened. “Would you be okay with that?”
She shrugged. “I like him.”
“If we dated, we’d spend more time with him.”
She gave me a look. “I want to spend time with him.”
“Sometimes we’d spend time together alone, and you’d be with Grandma and Grandpa or Aunt Grace.”
“I think that would be okay.” Then her eyes brightened. “Or I could be with Ember.”
“We’d need to clear that with her dad.”
Grace smiled triumphantly. “No more excuses.”
Knowing that Addy was okay with the idea of us was a relief for me. But I knew her feelings might change. I’d keep checking in with her to make sure she was okay.
We helped with the other side of the porch, and the work was done in no time. This year, Dad bought blow-up decorations of The Grinch. That took a bit more time to set up, but we got him blown up, and Addy loved it. I couldn’t remember my parents decorating like this after Grace and I moved out.
It was Addy who made them want to celebrate the holidays and do all the traditional things. It was interesting because the Monroes seemed to carry on with the traditions even before Ember was born. It was a vital piece of their family. It made me want to create similar traditions with Addy.
She might not have a traditional family with a biological father, but I could give her my best. I could create memories she’d always cherish.
When we were finished, we ate a late lunch and talked some more before finally saying goodbye. I was excited to see Knox again tonight. It felt like I was going on a first date. I was a little nervous and excited, which was ridiculous. I felt comfortable when I was with Knox.
We got dressed in thick sweaters, jeans for me, leggings for Addy, and tall boots. I wanted to be warm in case we were spending part of the night outside.
When we arrived, there was a small line at the entrance. Heath greeted me. “You here to see Knox?”
“Yeah. Should we go to his cabin?”
He nodded toward the farmhouse. “You can head up to the main house. Mom wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Oh. Okay.” I smiled to hide my discomfort. What could his mom possibly have to say to me?
Heath flashed me a smile before moving to the car behind me. I moved slowly up the lane, following the line of cars, then veered off to the main house when the other cars continued to the barn.
“Why aren’t we going to Knox’s?” Addy asked, leaning forward from the back seat.
