Tyler refrained from pointing out that with all the fairy lights and tinsel, there was a strong chance he’d need to wear his sunglasses indoors. “I think it’s great.”
“Santa needs to know which house to call at.” Jess pushed a pair of toy antlers onto a long-suffering Luna. “There. She’s my reindog. Where have you been, Dad? We were expecting you back hours ago.”
Tyler stood for a moment, wishing he could postpone the conversation. He didn’t want to be the one to ruin the happy moment. “I had a few things to do.”
The laughter in Jess’s face was replaced by anxiety. “You saw Mom?”
“Yes. We had a conversation. A conversation that was long overdue.”
“Does she want me to go back with her?” Jess wrapped her arms around Luna. “She came here.”
“I know. Uncle Jackson told me everything. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
“Brenna was awesome.”
“She’s always awesome.” Ash sprang at him, and Tyler pushed him down, his gaze fixed on Brenna. “Thank you for what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything. Simply had a conversation that was also overdue.”
Was it his imagination, or was there something different about her? She radiated a confidence that he normally only saw when they were out on the mountain, and she was smiling as she gathered up branches of mistletoe from a pile on the floor. “So how did the conversation go?”
“Better than I was expecting.” He turned his attention back to Jess. “She doesn’t want you to go back with her. That’s all sorted. You’re living here with us, and that isn’t going to change. She’s flying back tomorrow afternoon, but she has a gift for you, and she wants to give it to you in person. She wants to talk to you. I told her I’d ask you. If you’d rather not, that’s not a problem. I’ll fix it so you don’t have to see her.”
Jess stroked Luna’s fur. “Why didn’t she give it to me this morning?”
“I think she had a lot of things to work through in her head.”
“And she’s done that?”
“I think she’s taken a step. Talking to Brenna gave her a few things to think about.” He wondered what they’d said to each other. What truths had been exchanged that might explain the new, subdued Janet he’d talked to that afternoon?
“Where would we meet her?” Jess was looking worried. “Here at the house?”
“I thought somewhere public might be better. I suggested the café in town.”
“Wouldn’t people gossip?”
Tyler shrugged. “That’s not our problem.”
“I guess not.” Jess kissed Luna on the head and took her time before answering. “Maybe we should see her. We could take Luna. She could wait outside. What do you think, Brenna?”
“I think you should do what feels right to you.” Brenna was back on the ladder, this time hanging a large bunch of mistletoe over the kitchen door. “Don’t be late for the ice party, though!”
“We won’t. I’m so excited. Kayla has arranged to have a big ice sculpture in the shape of a moose as a joke because Dad’s always teasing her.” Jess slapped her hand over her mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you that!”
Tyler grabbed the ladder again. “I promise to look surprised.”
“And there are going to be fireworks. And Dana is offering sled rides, and Élise is cooking amazing food then the next day is Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day! I can’t wait! Have you finished your Christmas shopping, Dad?” Her gaze slid briefly to Brenna and back to him. “Because you really need to get it done.”
And that, he thought, was his only remaining problem.
He had no idea what to buy Brenna.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“WE’RE FULL! NO MORE room at the inn.” Kayla danced in the snow outside the Outdoor Center and Élise rolled her eyes.
“Me, I do not understand why you are so happy. It means we will all be too busy to open our Christmas presents.”