“Great.” Robyn smiled at Holly. “Have fun with that tree.”

She left the cabin, and Alix gave Zac a look.

“Count us in? The most romantic experience ever? I thought you were going to tell her the truth?”

He shrugged. “I never said that. And who knows, maybe it will be the most romantic experience ever. Doesn’t sound as if you’ve had that many. Your frozen heart will melt, and you will succumb to my charms.”

Alix glanced at Holly, but the little girl was busy hanging decorations and didn’t appear to be taking any notice.

“I’m more likely to succumb to the charms of the dog team.”

He put the box on the floor and rose to his feet. “It will be cold, Carpenter. You’ll have to snuggle.”

She rolled her eyes and tried not to think about being that close to him. “You want me there for my warming properties?”

“Uncle Zac! I need you to lift me.” Holly stretched upward, decoration in hand, and Zac obligingly scooped her up and settled her on his shoulders.

“That was a thoughtful thing you did back there. Saving those special trips for when Christy and Seb arrive.”

Alix shrugged. “She’ll have a better time. Also I don’t want to think about the number of potential accidents Holly could have near a reindeer. We both know childcare isn’t really my thing.”

“What I know,” he said slowly, “is that you’re a good friend.”

Was she?

It should have felt reassuring to hear him say it, but now she was doubting it herself.

She felt a sudden urge to confide in him and tell him how worried she was that she’d blown everything, but Holly chose that moment to tug on his hair.

“Closer!”

Zac winced and stepped closer to the tree.

Holly hung the ornament carefully and then gestured to the box. “I want to put one right on top.”

Alix lifted the box so that she could choose.

Fearless as ever, Holly lunged toward the tree and almost lost her balance. Destabilized by the sudden shift in weight, Zac almost lost his balance, too, and Alix grabbed his arms.

He steadied himself and clamped the child firmly in place.

“Thanks. How does Christy keep her alive?”

“I don’t know.” It was one of the things that had scared her most when her friend had asked her to look after Holly. She was used to troubleshooting issues at work, but those challenges had done nothing to prepare her for this particular child’s ability to get into trouble. “It’s a challenge.” For a moment she forgot she was working hard to keep him at a distance, and they exchanged a smile of mutual sympathy and understanding. And then, that simple connection turned to something else, something more intimate, and she immediately wished she hadn’t lowered her guard, because now he was looking at her in that unflinching, direct way that gave her nowhere to hide. She didn’t know whether to be excited by the discovery that she could feel something so intensely or annoyed with him for making her feel something so intensely.