For such a huge dog, she was amazingly gentle. She was careful not to knock the kids down, though I couldn’t say the same for any furniture or accessories that lay in her path. Once they exhausted themselves, she jumped on the couch and lay down. Rusty glared at her from his perch, but she was oblivious to him. Heath crawled onto the couch beside her, wrapped his arms around her, and laid his head on her shoulder.

“I love her, Mommy. Thank you, Easton. Thank you, Mom, for letting us have a dog.” Heath’s brown eyes shone with such unfettered joy my heart squeezed. I never expected to see him this happy this soon, and I grudgingly had Easton to credit for his turnaround.

He’d gotten through to my son in ways his mother hadn’t been able to. Yeah, I was jealous, but I was also grateful. Heath had bonded with this man who happened to be his biological father. I’d watched it happen from day one, and that bond grew every day. His daughter already adored him.

And where did that leave me in all this?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Flames in the Fireplace

~~Easton~~

I was a shithead, but I had no regrets. I’d pissed off Caro, but I’d done the right thing, even if I’d gone about it in the wrong way. Mona fit into the family as if she’d always been there. She transferred her affection from Kaden to the kids in a split second. I actually think Kaden was a little hurt by her fickleness.

Caro didn’t have the heart to get rid of the dog, not as quickly as Heath attached himself to her.

“They were used for nanny dogs and water rescue. She’ll be a good protector and companion,” I said, parroting what Avery had told me. My cousin Riley, who was also Avery’s nephew, happened to have a Newfie. I’d been impressed with the dog’s calm demeanor and gentle nature. The hair and drooling were minor setbacks, the way I saw it.

The kids and I took Mona for a walk, while Caro and Junie baked some pies and Kaden worked on his Christmas dinner. When we got back, Heath and Hailey helped me set the dinner table with the Christmas placemats and napkins I’d bought earlier this week, along with the sleigh centerpiece.

Dinner was everything I’d expected, knowing Kaden’s culinary abilities. A few teammates who didn’t have families in the area joined us. We ate like kings and queens. My mom was a great cook, but this holiday meal had to be one of my all-time favorites for lots of reasons.

After we finished, I proposed a toast. Everyone held up their glasses of wine or water or milk, whatever they were drinking.

“To the best Christmas ever with family and friends. May the magic of the holidays stay with us year-round.” I sounded sappy, but I’d had a few and was getting sentimental.

“Hear, hear!” said the group at the table as we clinked our glasses together.