I shivered at the contact, but ignored it as I wrapped Abby in the too big jacket and helped her out. Joey and Bear were already racing to the house with Bailey, seemingly eager to forget their troubles for the moment.
“They don’t know Mom isn’t coming back for us.” Abby tucked her hand into mine and looked up at me. “Should I tell them? I don’t want to make them sad, but they keep asking me about Mom coming back.”
Tucker squatted in front of her. “We don’t know for sure that she isn’t coming back, yet. I’m going to try to find her.”
Abby’s face hardened and she shook her head. “Don’t. She doesn’t want us. She hates us. I don’t want to go back with her.”
My heart ached and I blinked back tears. “We’ll talk about it later, okay? Right now, let’s go see what your brothers are getting into.”
She let us lead her into the house and I watched the anger on her face slip away as she took in the Long’s home. Her eyes went wide and no amount of twelve-year-old cynicism could put a damper on the amazement of the winter wonderland we’d walked into.
There was a two story tall tree in the living room loaded down with lights and ornaments. Beneath the tree were mountains of gift-wrapped presents with ribbons and bows and a toy train circled its way around them on a track. Delicate looking snowflakes hung from the ceiling, making the whole place feel like a snow globe. Garlands and more red bows wrapped around the staircase and stockings hung from above a fireplace that crackled with dancing flames. More music drifted throughout the rooms, creating a scene not unlike a picture perfect Christmas card.
For a few moments I felt nostalgia, like I was back with my mom and dad again. The warmth the Long family home emitted was impossible not to feel deep in your bones. Laughter rang out from the kitchen and I was immersed in a big, happy family. Then, the pitter-patter of little feet racing across the hardwood floor preceded a string of tiny kids running through.
Tucker scooped one of them into his arms and grinned at the boy. “Caught you. What do you think you’re doing?”
Mason, Lucas’ son, laughed as Tucker tickled him and then put him down. “Come play, Tucker!”
“In a little bit, I will. Go, have fun.”
I heard Elizabeth’s voice and then took the brunt of her weight as she threw herself into hugging me. I sucked in a large breath of air and pushed her away. “Are you trying to kill me?”
She grinned from me to Tucker. “It was so nice of you to bring Lettie, Tucker. We’ve been working on her for weeks trying to get her to agree to come today. Apparently, I wasn’t cute enough for her.”
My cheeks heated and I grabbed her arm. “Elizabeth, this is Abby. Abby, this is one of my best friends, Elizabeth. She’s married to Alex. You’ll meet him soon.”
Abby stared at Elizabeth’s swollen belly. “You’re having a baby.”
“Yes, ma’am. The third one. This little kicker is going to be our first girl. I’m looking for help naming her. You want to give it a try?”
I could see Abby immediately warming up to Elizabeth, so I squeezed her hand and let go. “Try to come up with something ridiculous. I’d love for her to have to call her newborn baby girl something crazy.”
“Like watermelon?”
I laughed. “Exactly. You’re on the right track now.”
CHAPTER 4: Tucker
I watched as Elizabeth led Abby off towards the couch, towards her stack of baby naming books. I already knew she’d been pestering everyone all morning long with them. Alex had made it more than clear that he needed backup to help him escape Elizabeth’s baby naming obsession.
I breathed in the smells around me and groaned when I got was coconut cake, and nothing else. I turned to Lettie, unable to help myself. “You smell amazing.”
She turned to face me with pink cheeks. I couldn’t tell if it was the cold or my words. “Sherriff, why are you smelling me?”
It was a good question. We’d known each other for years and I’d never smelled her that much before. Sure, I’d noticed the woman in front of me. I would’ve had to have been blind to not notice her. I’d never taken the time to really look at her, though. Finding your mate as a bear was supposed to be instantaneous and I’d never been too interested in getting serious with a woman who wasn’t my mate. Yet, looking at Lettie, I had to reconsider.
“I don’t know. I can’t seem to help myself.”
She took a step back, which my bear interpreted as a challenge. When I stepped closer to her, her lips parted and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Dang, just when I thought she couldn’t get any hotter.