that turned out really badly.” Smiling, he lowered his head and kissed her. When he finally lifted his head, she blinked dizzily and locked her hand in the front of his shirt.
“You always do that when you’re losing an argument.”
“I wasn’t losing anything.”
“What were you saying?”
“I was saying that a person can’t interfere with other people’s love lives. What happens between two people is a personal thing.”
“What if two people are perfect for each other and nothing ever happens?”
“Then maybe it’s not meant to happen. They’ve known each other since Brenna was four years old. If something was going to happen, surely it would have happened by now.”
“It would have done if your brother wasn’t so blind.”
Jackson gathered her against him. “He isn’t blind.”
“Don’t defend him.”
“I’m not defending him. I’m just saying he’s not blind.”
“Then why hasn’t he made a move?”
“It isn’t a conversation I’ve had because I figure it’s his business, not mine.” He eased away from her and gave her a pointed look. “But I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“Are you telling me you’ve never thought they’d be perfect together?”
Jackson hesitated. “They have plenty in common, that’s true, but Brenna is the settled type. I wouldn’t exactly describe Tyler as settled, and I wouldn’t want either of them to be hurt.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But you think they are good together.”
“They’re best friends. But there is a difference between being friends and being lovers. You can’t make it happen because you’d like it to.”
“Maybe not, but I can help things along by at least putting them in the same place. Sometimes people need a little help to see what’s right in front of them.”
“Presumably my mother is also in on this, given that we are about to be visited by ‘hordes of relatives from England,’ none of whom we’ve heard of before?”
Kayla pulled away from him and picked up her purse. “She wasn’t in on anything, but maybe she thinks Brenna and Tyler need encouragement, too.”
“All right, what’s done is done—” Jackson pulled her back to him and this time his eyes were serious “—but promise me you’ll leave it alone now.”
“I really do need Forest Lodge. I thought you’d be pleased that we’re so busy.”
“You haven’t promised.”
“Heads on beds. That was my brief when you gave me the job last Christmas.”
“We’ve come a long way since then.” He stroked his thumb over her cheek. “You’re not going to promise, are you?”
“I’m going to try really hard, but if I hang extra bunches of mistletoe around the place, you’re not to blame me.”
He shook his head. “What you’ve achieved here is beyond impressive. I still can’t believe that last Christmas I was awake at night wondering if we’d even have a business left in a year’s time.”
She slid her arms around his neck. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. But the only relationship I want you invested in is ours. Got that?”
“Mmm.” She pressed her mouth to his. “Maybe. But what about all the mistletoe? Shame to waste it.”
“I’m sure we can put it to good use.”
TYLER FINISHED THE run, delivered the reporter back to the main house for a debrief with Kayla, took a bumps-and-trees class he’d committed to in a weak moment and ended his day rescuing a toddler who had face-planted in a snowdrift.
By the time he arrived home, he felt like a bear with a thorn in its paw.
“Dad!” Jess shot out of the den, Ash and Luna at her heels. “Is it true?”
“Is what true? That I’m never skiing with a reporter again? Yeah, that’s true. They ask me stuff I wouldn’t tell my mother, and then wonder why I want to bury them in a snowdrift.” He shoved the dogs down. “How many times do I have to tell you not to let the dogs into my den?”
“Grandma says Brenna is coming to live with us?”
“Not live, exactly.” He dropped his gloves on the table. “But how would you feel about her staying awhile? I should have checked with you first, but she was in a bit of trouble so I wanted to help out.”
“Dad, you don’t need to ask! I love Brenna. It will be so cool having her here. Especially over Christmas. Christmas is always more fun when there are lots of people around. It will be great, hanging around the Christmas tree in our pajamas.”
Thinking of Brenna in her pajamas, Tyler unzipped his jacket. He hadn’t dared think about what it would be like to have Brenna living here. “Maybe it’s not a great idea.”
“It’s a great idea. It will be like being a family.”
Which presented him with a whole new problem. “Do you mind it being the two of us normally? Do you miss your mom and half sister?”
Jess shrugged, and her sweater slid off her skinny shoulder.
Tyler felt a rush of frustration. “Is that a yes or a no? Whatever you’re thinking, say it straight-out. I can take anything, but don’t give me door slamming, hormones or one of your shrugs. You know I don’t speak teenager.”
“I’m not giving you hormones! And I don’t miss Mom.” Jess pulled Luna into her arms and buried her face in her fur. “Living with her was too stressy. And if I’m honest, Carly doesn’t feel like my sister. I mean, she was only weeks old when Mom sent me away, so it’s not like we know each other. I wasn’t even allowed to hold her in case I dropped her. I don’t hate her or anything, I just don’t feel anything much. I guess you think I’m a bad person now.”
Tyler, who had been judged by people for most of his life, heard the insecurity in her voice and frowned. “I think you’re a great person.”
Jess looked up at him. “I guess I worry about what other people think about me having a half sister I never see. Mrs. Kelly in the store asked how the baby was doing. When I said I didn’t know, she looked all disapproving.”
He was willing to bet the disapproval had been aimed at Janet, not
