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“Why would you want a house like that for just yourself?”
“I wouldn’t, which is the point. But I told my lovely sister I planned to settle down here in Snow Hill and find myself a wife and have a couple of little Rhodes kids of my own someday, and that led to her calling my realtor and ‘adjusting my preferences.’”
Robin’s face cycled through several emotions as he spoke. First, there was the furrowed brow that made her look frustrated and confused—well, andadorable—like she was working on the kind of math problem that stumped even the smartest kids in class.
Then, her head snapped back as the shock of hearing his admission to wanting a family worked its way through the rest of what he’d said.
But hey, it was true, and he didn’t mind telling her. Not only did he often find himself chattier when she was around than when she wasn’t, but her status as his sister’s best friend meant she’d not only hear about it from Holly, but she’d witness it as he tried to make it happen.
It was too bad that kind of information would likely make him less appealing for her, considering her past. But just like he wasn’t one to question a good thing, he also wasn’t one to try to change an impossible situation into a possible one simply because he wished he could.
After the shock, Robin’s face finally twisted into something that looked like she was trying hard to fight a smile. “That is so veryHollyof her.”
“You know her well.”
“Let me guess, she said it wouldn’t make sense for you to get a bachelor pad only to turn around and sell it when you meet the right woman to settle down with.”
Jack lifted a finger and pointed at her instead of replying with words.
Robin giggled and tossed a lock of that luscious hair over her shoulder. “Well, I can see her logic there. But at the same time, it’s hard to miss how idealistic that plan is.”
He tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
“Just that her plan only makes sense if you were able to find the right woman, marry her, and decide to buy a house that would suit your goals of growing your family in such a short time that you’d regret the bachelor pad purchase. That’s not likely to happen, is it?”
Since Jack was currently standing within arm’s reach of the beautiful single mom he wished he could do all that with but couldn’t, he simply nodded. “You might be right. We can’t all hope to find love, get married, and start a family as quickly as Holly did.”
“Exactly. If that’s not idealistic thinking, I don’t know what is.”
Jack cleared his throat and looked down. “Speaking of kids, how’s Abby? Does she have her snowmen out yet?” he asked, remembering his reaction the first time Robin’s daughter had shown him photos of her massive collection of snowmen figurines. He’d been both wildly impressed and mildly horrified.
Robin’s shoulders rose with pride as she beamed. Funny how the mere mention of her daughter erased whatever was left of the awkwardness between them. “She’s doing very well, thank you, and yes, she pulled them out last night and nearly made us late this morning because she wanted to rearrange her display. It wasn’t amazing and perfect enough for her, and we had a big dramatic standoff about it.”
“On second thought, maybe I should rethink my plan to raise kids in Snow Hill. The freakish obsession with all things Christmas might be damaging to their health.”
Robin barked out a shocked laugh and swatted him on the arm. “Take that back. I grew up here in Snow Hill, and I’m not damaged, and neither is my daughter.”
“Okay, you’re right. Present company excluded. But I don’t know about Abby. She’s just as whacked-out over Christmas as the rest of this town, and since you aren’t as bad from what I can tell, that means it might be something in the water and it’ll only get worse for younger generations.”
Robin shook her head. “Jack Rhodes, you’d better lower your voice when you say stuff like that. The people of Snow Hill won’t take very kindly to a newcomer waltzing into town acting like he’s too good for Christmas.”
Someone snorted behind him, and Jack didn’t need to turn around to know it was one of the people she’d spoken of. He wrinkled his nose at Robin with an unconcerned shrug. “Every Christmas town needs a grinch, and I’m happy to fill that role. As far as I can see, you guys don’t have one now that Holly beat the Christmas spirit back into Nick’s life.”
Jack’s brother-in-law had once hated Christmas because he’d gotten his heart broken by a different movie star during the holiday season. That was also what had caused him to keep Holly at arm’s length when she’d first come to town to film a movie. Ever since he’d begrudgingly fallen for her—despite his best efforts not to—he’d resumed his love for the holidays and was way more cheerful this time of year than any grown man had a right to be.
InJack’smind, anyway.
But as much as he teased Nick for that out loud, he also knew himself well enough to know his feelings on the matter had begun to shift. Not about Christmas, because his own past heartache concerning the death of his Christmas-loving parents was at the root of it, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t warming to the idea of letting the love of a good woman bring some semblance of peace and joy into his life. It was just too bad it wouldn’t bethiswoman.
“Well, I think you’ll make the perfect grinch for Snow Hill, and I speak for all of the residents of this town when I say I can’t wait to watch you squirm every year while we holly-jolly all over your sour mood.”
He dipped his chin. “Happy to be of service to the community. Both in that wayandon the job.”
The words were out of his mouth before he’d had a chance to stop them, and just like he feared, the reminder of his new role in town brought an end to their smiling banter. Robin’s lips turned down as her grin faded into something considerably more neutral. Her posture changed right along with it—from relaxed, like she was simply chatting with a friend, to cool and businesslike, as if she were already in the meeting she was gathering supplies for.
Before Jack could steer the ship back on course, Francine called out Robin’s name to let her know her order was ready. Robin’s shoulders slumped as if she were saved by the bell, but Jack internally groaned.
Every time he visited Snow Hill, he imagined what it would be like when he saw Robin again after however long it had been since the last time. He’d picture their conversation, and he’d wonder if maybe this would be the time when she’d see him as the kind of man who would do whatever he could to come home to her at the end of every shift. The kind of man who was worth loving despite the badge, and trust that being together would outweigh stressing over the small chance that something bad could happen to him on the job.
