Page 22 of Daddy's Little Christmas

“I ruined it,” I said quietly. “The lighting.”

He let out a low, almost amused breath. “You didn’t miss anything important. Lights turn on. People cheer. Tree stays a tree.”

That earned a weak huff of laughter from me.

We stopped near the darkened storefronts, the noise behind us muted now. He didn’t let go right away. Didn’t rush me.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said honestly. “Thanks to you.”

His arm finally loosened, but he stayed close. Grounding. Steady.

“Anytime,” he said. Then, after a beat, quieter, “You did the brave thing. You came.”

Something in my chest warmed at that. Spread.

I looked up at him, really looked this time. The lines at the corners of his eyes. The gray threaded through his hair. The calm certainty in the way he held himself.

“Why do I feel like that mattered?” I asked before I could stop myself.

His mouth curved, soft and knowing. “Because it did.”

He studied me for a moment, like he was deciding something.

“Where are you staying?” he asked gently.

“The Hearthstone Inn,” I said. “Mae’s place.”

“Good,” he said without hesitation. “I’ll walk you back.”

It wasn’t phrased like a question.

And somehow, that didn’t make me bristle. It made my shoulders loosen.

We started down the street together, the noise from the square fading behind us. Snow drifted lazily through the glow of thestreetlamps, settling on his coat, on my scarf, on the quiet between us.

I realized my steps had slowed to match his.

“You okay now?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, and meant it. “I don’t usually… bounce back that fast.”

A corner of his mouth tipped up. “You didn’t bounce. You grounded.”

I glanced at him. “That’s a thing?”

“It is if you let it be.”

The Hearthstone came into view, its windows warm and lit, looking suddenly like the safest place in the world.

We stopped at the foot of the steps.

Graeme turned to face me, hands easy at his sides, not crowding, not retreating either.

“Get some rest,” he said. “You did a brave thing tonight.”

Something in my chest tightened—not panic this time. Something softer.