“I go there more for the free coffee and gossip. McCann said you handled his copyright claim fast and explained it to him in a way that actually made sense.” Uncle Phil looked my way. “Your husband’s running my firm better than me. If I’m not careful, he’ll roust me out and kick me off the payroll.”
“Did you tell him your news?” Betsy prodded.
“I’ve decided to move up my retirement date.”
Wyatt handed his daughter Camy another roll. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Nothing to worry about.” He reached for his wife’s hand and the two shared a smile. “Getting cancer has made me reassess. I’ve worked since I was fourteen, and it’s time to slow down. Retiring early would allow Betsy and me even more time to travel. We bought an RV five years ago and have barely got the thing dusty. We want to see all fifty states, visit relatives, make some more memories while we’re young and healthy.”
“That’s great, Dad.”
Betsy beamed. “I’m so excited to be a nomad. I might even buy a motorcycle to bring along.”
“What kind of timeline are you thinking?” Holden’s posture was so straight, he looked like a taut guitar string about to snap.
“A year from January.”
Holden’s spoon hovered over his bowl. “A year?”
“I think that would give me enough time to wrap things up, legally turn over the business to you.”
I expected Holden to give his uncle that carefree grin, or at least look something akin to happy. But his face went blank, much like it did when I brought up Mrs. Claus…or Wyatt.
“What do you think?” Uncle Phil settled back in his chair, the picture of a relaxed man.
Holden picked up his spoon and dipped it into his soup. “I think we have a lot of work to do.”
His Uncle Phil grinned. “And you’re just the man for the job.”
An hour later, Holden had disappeared with his uncle into the study to discuss a client, while Camy had convinced her grandmother to let her make cookies. I’d just dried the last soup bowl with a tea towel bearing the face of Santa Claus, as if I needed another reminder that the Claus family was on my naughty list.
Leaving the cookie assembly team to do their work, I slipped into the living room, where I found Wyatt standing at the fireplace watching the flames dance and crackle.
“Remember our first Christmas?” I asked as I joined him.
Wyatt lifted his head, and his smile could’ve warmed the coldest winter day. “You talked me into going skiing with you and your mom.”
It had been the only Christmas we’d ever traveled, and I’d been so happy she’d taken off from a national publicity tour. “We had that cabin in Vail. My mom stayed in the lodge most days, while we skied until the sun went down.”
He nudged me with his shoulder. “You kept falling in the snow, and I knew it was a ploy to get my undivided attention.”
I laughed at the ridiculous memory. “My flirting game never really reached what I’d call a competent level.”
“It always worked on me.” The fire cast flickering shadows in Wyatt’s blue eyes. “Those were good times. I miss them.”
Oh, me too, Wyatt. Me too. “And now? How are you holding up?” At his confused look, I rushed to explain. “Holden reminded me you were newly divorced.”
“Yeah, the single life is weird.”
Dude, you have no idea. “Do you share custody of Camy?”
“Actually, she’s with me more than Blakely. My ex-wife travels a lot for work, so I have her full time, and Blakely gets her every other weekend with some other days thrown in.” He picked up a poker and nudged a rogue piece of wood. “Holden’s a natural with my daughter, and the two are thick as thieves. I’m still binge-reading parenting books and wondering why everything I do backfires.”
“It’s can’t be easy raising a child on your own.”
“It’s not. And Camy’s confused and doesn’t understand where Mommy is.”
“What exactly happened between you and your wife?” I tapped the side of my head. “Jog my memory.”
“She decided we should see other people. Not that she told me. I had to find out the hard way.”
My hand found his. “I’m so sorry. Blakely had no idea what she walked away from. One day she’ll regret it.” Trust me.
“You think so?”
“I know so. She’ll go on dates and the man won’t ever measure up. She’ll think she sees you on a crowded street and find herself disappointed when it’s not you. She’ll lie awake at night recalling every sweet memory, every beautiful word you ever said. She’ll…” Wyatt’s eyes widened, and I clamped my lips shut. “I mean, maybe. She might.”
“Enough about my divorce woes. How are you and Holden?”
I didn’t even know how to answer. “It’s…hard. I don’t remember being married to him.”
“I’d like you to set up an appointment with the neurologist after Christmas. Something isn’t right.”
You’re telling me. “Thank you for your concern. I was so glad it was you who helped me after the fall.”
“Me, too, Annie. I hate to see you hurt.”
Wyatt was so kind and caring. I had no doubt he made the best doctor…and husband. Why did I have to get my wish to be reunited with him only to find myself married to his cousin?
“How’s work at the museum?” he asked, opting for a change in topic.
“It’s been better.” I quickly told him about my stalled promotion.
“Now that I’m on the board, can I be of any help?”
“I’ve created a small list of people I’d like to talk to as potential platinum donors. Do you have any connections to Mitchell Crawford?”
“The rancher?”
“That’s the one.” Mitchell Crawford owned thousands of acres in Sugar Creek and ran a ranching empire. He was known all over the state for his philanthropy, and I had him pegged as the perfect contributor to the museum. “That guy will not return a phone call.”
“He and I see one another at some city chamber events,” Wyatt said. “I’d be glad to talk to him.”
“Can you get me a meeting? He does contribute to the museum, but I’d love to have a chance to share what an even larger donation would provide—the education, the first class exhibits, the artist visits.”
“Then maybe he’d be more inclined to write a bigger check?”
“If he did, I wouldn’t turn it down. And it would thrill my boss.”
“I’ll set up a lunch visit for the three of us.”
“Seriously?”
“You let me handle it. I’ll see you get your meeting with Mitchell Crawford.”
“That’s amazing.” My spontaneous hug caught us both off guard, and I reluctantly let Wyatt go. “You’re amazing.”
Wyatt’s intense gaze studied mine. “Annie…did you ever think about me after we broke up?”
Literally every day. “Yes.”
“Ever wonder what life would be like if you’d said yes to my proposal?”