Page 56 of One More Yule Log

“You don’t even like him. You never have. When Papa was alive, you two fought about him. You called him an alcoholic!”

Ben frowned at her—the expression much more confused than angry—and then his eyes went wide. “Oh. No. No, baby. Workaholic. He works all the time. Not an alcoholic. God.”

She scowled. “Oh. Well, that’s not good either, is it?”

Gray had to stuff his face with a piece of chicken to keep from laughing. So of course he choked.

Ben was right there, slapping his back, holding one of his arms up. “You okay, honey? Damn.”

He nodded. He could breathe; Gray just felt stupid. Liv brought him a glass of water, and he got them all working together, at least.

“Gray,” Liv said, so serious. “Chicken is for eating. Air is for breathing. It’s important.”

Ben began to chuckle, the laughter shaking his whole body.

Gray nodded, whooping for air, just hanging on to the man and little girl he loved so.

“Oh, little men. How am I supposed to deal with you?”

He laughed harder. Liv was so damn cute. He shook his head, wheezing.

“I guess you’ll just have to forgive us and love us, Liv.” Ben met his daughter’s eyes, and she shook her head.

“I love you, Daddy, even when I think you’re wrong. That’s my job. I’m a daddy’s girl.”

“Oh, good.” Ben got up to kiss her head just like Gray had earlier. “Anyone else want their gravy heated up?”

“Please.” Gray handed Ben his plate.

Liv shook her head. “Can I please have some ranch?”

Ben nodded, then grinned at Gray. “Texan genes.”

“Yep.” Gray got up to get the ranch out of the fridge. “Good thing I like those.”

“Yeah, it is.” Ben gave him a sweet, warm smile. “I’m tickled.”

“Me too. You’re going to figure this out, love. I’m here to help.”

“I can make my cake for your party, Daddy.”

Ben blinked hard, and Gray couldn’t blame him. Liv was just so damn cool. “Oh, thank you, honey. I want one for here at home, though. I want to have it with you.”

“Yeah? Well, I can make two. One for your party and one for you.”

“Oh? Would you do that for me? Really?” Ben grabbed her and squeezed her tight. “I love you. That’s so cool.”

“Well, duh, Daddy. You’ll need desserts.”

“I’ll help with that,” Gray said, trying not to get all choked up.

“You guys are the greatest. Seriously. I don’t know what I’d do without both of you.”

“You’d be miserable. You’d cry a lot. Like a lot a lot.” Liv blinked at Ben.

“I would,” Ben agreed.

Gray grabbed his water before he choked again. He handed out ranch, Ben sat with warmed gravy, and they all actually ate. Like a family.