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“Oh, yes. I seem to recall she did.”

“She wouldn’t tell me what she told you. I think it was a test or… something like that. For you, obviously. So, it would be useful to know if I’ve gotten it right. I mean I think I did. I got her a puppy. She’s been wanting one for a long time. Was that what she asked you for?”

Nick’s expression softened and he winked at Gus again. “If it’s a test, then perhaps we should see if I pass it?”

“Look, we both know your Santa thing is a cos-play side gig. That’s great, but I’m just trying to make sure she has a good Christmas morning. Okay? So, please, just tell me what she asked for.”

“Gus—can I call you Gus? Children ask me for lots of things, but it’s my opinion that parents always know best what their children need most.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sakes! Ex-cuseme!” said an elderly woman who’d appeared behind him, shoving past Gus with her elbow. “I need to buy a ticket if you don’t mind. Take all day…” she grumbled. “There are other people here who need to catch a bus, you know!”

Nick’s smile was every bit as welcoming to this migraine of a woman as he was to him. “Yes, ma’am. How can I help you?”

“It’s about time. I thought he’d never stop yapping.”

Nick just smiled at Gus who, buffaloed by the old woman’s interruption, held up his hands and backed up. “I apologize,” he said. “I didn’t see anyone waiting.”

“’Course you didn’t,” she said. “So tied up in your own troubles. Young folks these days. Can’t see past their own two shoes.”

Gus just shook his head. He wasn’t about to argue with her, and Nick seemed to have moved on without answering his question. Frustrated by the whole thing, Gus walked out of the terminal and out into the cold afternoon contemplating not only what Nick had said, but what he’d left unsaid.

Parents always know best what their children need most.

Need. Not want.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, thinking of Lissa. If she were here right now, she’d know exactly what Ella needed most. But he felt lost, as he did most of the time, focusing on what was right in front of him and not the bigger picture. Because the bigger picture had actually felt like an anvil pressing down on him. It was how he had gotten through his grief over losing Lissa, one breath at a time. One day. One job.

Her last visit had felt so real and yet so final. Maybe that meant it was time to move forward, see more than his own two feet. It was… remotely possible that the crabby old woman had a point. See, instead, the road before him and not focus on the broken road behind him that had brought him here.

He thought of Cami’s sparkle, her laugh, her kiss and how long it had been since he’d even opened himself up to someone like her. And it occurred to him, like an out loud voice saying it, that he could fall for her. Hehadfallen for her.

He might be in love with her.

Just thinking that caught him off guard.

But what kind of risk would that be for his daughter? What if she got attached to Cami and it didn’t work out? What if he—

Damn the voice in his head!

Here he was, judging Tara—practically a child herself—for leaving her baby with Cami and a loving family because her life was falling apart, when he himself was about to walk away from the possibility of love because of what? Fear? When he had so much more going for him than Tara had ever had. And when did his life ever promise him anything? There were no guarantees. There were only options. Take this road and not that. Go here, or don’t. Allow your heart to risk being broken again or keep it safe on high ground.

Maybe he’d always done that. Maybe even with Lissa.

Maybe with everyoneexceptElla.

*

Herding cats mustbe easier than directing a play full of six-year-olds.

But aside from the shenanigans going on backstage as they released all their pent-up energy, they all mostly knew their roles and as the church filled with families and relatives here to watch the pageant late that afternoon. Cami peeked around the corner to see her family there in the front. All of them… minus Ryan.

She frowned, scanning the room for him, assuming he must be sitting with friends. Heaven forbid he’d be forced to sit with family! But Will and Izzy were there. Liam. Shay and Cooper. And Ray Lane was sitting beside Sarah who was holding little Lolly, all dressed for Christmas, who looked like she was sleeping. Cami’s arms actually ached, watching her.

To the right, she spotted Gus and Luke, who caught sight of her at the same time. Gus smiled and gave her a small wave. She finger-waved back. Their eyes locked for a few more seconds than strictly necessary.

God, he looked good. Really good. Good enough to—

Focus!