Tanya Michaels - Mistletoe Mommy

“I’m guessing that stability didn’t last?” Adam’s voice was comforting. Deep, compassionate, but not thick with the oppressive pity she’d feared.

She shook her head. “I could tell it was going to fall apart. She started getting restless, irritable. I was trying to get her attention one day to find out if I could go to a slumber party, and it was like I couldn’t get through to her. So I just kept saying ‘Mom,’ repeatedly, louder and louder. She slapped me. I don’t think she meant to.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Brenna.”

“Neither of us told Fred about that. She was gone a week later, and I…I really liked Mistletoe. I loved having a little brother and not being an only child. And maybe because he was already a father, I bonded with Fred a lot faster than I did with the other men who’d been in her life. When I thought the cycle was starting all over again, I was terrified I’d have to give them up. But I didn’t. She just took off for parts unknown. Without me.”

The memories with her mother in them were crystal clear to this day, but the memory of Fred handing her the note, so Brenna could see for herself that her mom had no intention of coming back-that she didn’t want me-was hazy. Like something warped and half-remembered from a bad dream.

“By the time Fred could legally divorce her, his first wife was sick and they were already headed down the path to reconciliation. I had something new to be terrified about. At least my mother’s ‘Dr. Jekyll, Mrs. Hyde’ cycle was a known quantity. But Maggie? I guess I’d read too many fairy tales with evil stepmothers, because the entire time she and Fred were dating, I expected her to insist it was either her or me. But Maggie’s wonderful.”

“I should expect so. For you to turn out the way you did in spite of everything speaks to their being loving parents-and your being an extraordinarily strong woman.” Adam gave her an assessing look as if seeing her for the first time. Or as if he was glimpsing something he’d overlooked before.

Brenna squirmed under the penetrating scrutiny. But she relaxed slightly as he began trailing his hand up and down her back. Lord, his touch felt good.

“Most people,” he concluded, “having gone through that kind of emotional turmoil, wouldn’t become as bighearted as you are, so generous and giving.”

Brenna snorted, then checked herself. Been spending too much time with Eliza. “You haven’t known me that long. Kevin and I split up because I was too aloof and inaccessible.”

“Inaccessible? You? Did he suffer some kind of trauma to the head?” Adam’s confusion seemed authentic rather than feigned on her behalf.

She chuckled, snuggling closer. “You’re good for my self-esteem.”

“Brenna, you’re a beautiful woman with the smarts and discipline to start her own successful company, you’re good with animals and children, and you kiss like no one’s business. Why would your self-esteem need my help?”

She thought about telling him that he saw her differently from others because, with him, she was different. Maybe it was easier to be herself with Adam because she’d always known he was leaving. Since there was no chance of him becoming a long-term fixture in her life, there was minimal risk. Or was it more than that? He evoked reactions from her other men didn’t.

She didn’t know why. Nor did she care to analyze it further, her psyche having been sufficiently probed for one night. “You’ve been a great listener, and I’m looking forward to seeing you Tuesday night, but I should be going.”

“One kiss goodbye?” he asked.

In answer, she pressed closer to him. He tilted her chin up with his finger and captured her mouth.

White heat flashed in her blood, purging unpleasant memories and emotional uncertainties, leaving only sensation. She gripped the front of his shirt with both hands and held on for the ride, kissing him back urgently, coasting on a rising swell of desire. Adam leaned into her as if he couldn’t get close enough, and somehow she found herself in a nearly horizontal position, the swing rocking hectically beneath them.

She felt as if she were drowning in the most pleasurable way, breathing in only Adam, letting him blot out all else. Submerged in bliss and craving more, she slid his hand to her breast and arched into his palm.

If they’d kept going at that frenzied pace, she might have ended up making love to him right there on the front porch of the Chattavista Lodge.

Instead, they both sprang apart when, around the corner, the door to the main entrance opened and shut. Breathing hard, they stared at each other, wide-eyed in the shadows. Brenna remembered how Quinn had spoken of “sparks,” but this hadn’t been some tiny ember alighting randomly where it might become more or might just as easily be snuffed out. This had been a tidal wave of pent-up need that she’d never even noticed until she was in Adam’s arms.

“That was your idea of a goodbye?” she asked incredulously. Because it had felt much more like hello, the start of something cataclysmic and inevitable.

“If I was doing it wrong,” he said with studied innocence, “I’d be happy to practice until I get it right.”

“Wow, you doctors really are perfectionists.” Her blithe tone was an act, because inside she was reeling.

If being with Adam got any more perfect, how would she merrily bid him farewell in a week?

Adam waited until Tuesday morning at breakfast to have The Talk with his kids. “Hey, guys, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

Geoff nodded, not even lowering his fork, and both girls looked up from their plates in silent expectation.

“At the beginning of our trip, I said I wasn’t ready to date anyone. That…may have changed.”

“Dating like Mommy and Daddy Dan did?” Morgan asked.

“Yes,” he said slowly, “but just because they got married doesn’t mean I will. Especially not anytime soon.”

Morgan sniffed. “I think you should marry Brenna.”

Eliza gasped. “He’s only known her for two weeks! And Brenna isn’t interested in him.”

“What?” Adam couldn’t stop the question from escaping.

“She told me,” Eliza said matter-of-factly. “We were talking about how she didn’t think dating was worth all the trouble and-”

“You’re so full of it,” her brother accused. “Brenna told me that she does like him!”

Adam whirled around to face his son. “You were discussing this with her, too?”

“No need to thank me, Dad. Just being your wingman.”

Adam’s mouth opened, then closed again. No sound emerged. Wearily, he looked at Morgan. “By any chance, did you also have a chat with Brenna about whether or not she should date me?”

“Nope. We mostly talk about Ellie the cat.”

“Okay.” He took a deep breath, determined to get the conversation back on track. “I’m not marrying anyone. Not now, possibly not ever, we’ll just have to see. But I would like to go out with Brenna tonight.” Although technically they’d planned to stay in.

“No!” Eliza looked outraged.

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t think you should date her.”

“After everything she’s done for you and your brother and sister?” Adam was startled by how forcefully she objected to the idea. “What can you possibly have against her?”

“But you said you weren’t going to.”

“I know. And I’m sorry for any confusion. I’ve changed my mind, though. I want you to know I didn’t do it lightly,” he told her. “I talked to your mama, too. And Brenna herself. And now I want to talk it over with you kids, keep you fully involved in what’s going on in my life.”

“Are you in love with her?” Eliza challenged.

The obvious answer was no, but somehow he got distracted giving it. He was too busy remembering the first time he’d seen Brenna, there on the side of the road. The sound of her wry, husky laugh. The party she’d thrown for Morgan. The way she kissed.

“Eliza, men and women don’t start dating because they’re in love. They date to find out if they’re compatible, to see if, under the right circumstances, they could love each other. None of this changes how much I love you guys, though.”

Morgan tried to ask, “What ‘right circumstances’?”

But Eliza overrode her with, “A week from now you’ll be back at that hospital.” She spat the word at him like an obscenity. “Even if you think you’re ‘compatible,’ what’s the point?”

His mind skittered to the kisses he’d shared with Brenna on the porch swing. They had unfinished business, but that was hardly an appropriate answer.

“I’m not sure yet,” he admitted. “Some things you just don’t know until after the fact. But I’ve known almost since I met her that Brenna Pierce is a special person. Does anyone disagree with that?”

A moment passed, and no one said anything. She’s won us all over. Miracle of miracles, the four of them agreed on something.

“Then it’s settled,” he declared. “I’m seeing her tonight.”

JOSH HAD DONE a great job as a rafting guide-keeping them safe and informed, but entertained, too-and the kids were thrilled to see him Tuesday evening.

“Everyone got their shoes on?” he asked as he stepped into the suite. “Nat’s waiting down in the car.”

“Almost ready,” Morgan called from the girls’ shared bedroom. “Eliza’s helping me fix my hair.”

Adam faced Geoff. “Why don’t you grab my wallet off the nightstand? I want to make sure you guys have plenty of money for the food and the movie tickets.”

When it was just the two men, Josh said cheerfully, “Give Brenna a hug for me, and you two have fun tonight. Just…be careful. This is kind of my fault.”

Adam blinked. “I don’t follow.”

Josh glanced away, his expression almost guilty. “I’ve been nagging her for a couple of months to go out with somebody, anybody. And now here you are.”