“You told me to buy presents. I bought presents.” Had he forgotten anything? He hoped not.
“Did you buy Brenna a present yet? There is still time to get to the store if you haven’t. I can help you.”
“I’ve got it covered.”
“Are you sure?” She looked at him suspiciously. “What is it?”
“A present is supposed to be a surprise.”
“Please tell me you haven’t bought her something lame.”
He thought about the gift he’d hidden away. “I hope it’s not lame.”
“But you don’t know?” Jess looked worried. “Dad, you’d better tell me.”
“I’m not telling you, and the stores are closed now so it’s too late. If she doesn’t like it then there is nothing I can do about it.”
“It’s not something for the kitchen, is it? Because women hate that.”
“No.”
“Something to do with the mountains?”
“In a way.” He rose to his feet. “You have to stop with the questions now, Jess.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I want Christmas to be really special.”
“I want that, too. Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “You’re awesome.”
“That means you’ve forgotten to buy me a present.”
“It doesn’t mean that. I’ve bought you a present.”
“Will I like it?”
“I don’t know. I hope so. If not you can lodge a complaint with Santa.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“HE’S BEEN!”
Brenna woke after a night of little sleep to find Jess at the door in her pajamas, a bulging red sack in her hand. Ash nosed his way past her and jumped onto the bed. Luna gave a whine, glanced at Jess and then followed.
Jess piled onto the bed with the dogs, and Tyler appeared in the doorway, yawning. His chest was bare, but he’d pulled on a pair of jeans.
It was the first time they’d seen each other since the night of the ice party, and Brenna glanced at him briefly, horrified by how awkward everything felt.
How were they going to get through the day?
He didn’t appear to have had any more sleep than she had. Those blue eyes were tired, his jaw dark and unshaven.
It was killing both of them, her being here. She felt terrible. He felt terrible.
And she couldn’t bear the thought of him feeling terrible.
It wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t feel the way she wanted him to feel.
For both their sakes, she needed to move