how you choose to live your life is no one else’s business. You get on with your life and let them get on with theirs.”
“What if they’re all judgy?”
“Then that’s their problem.”
“I guess I don’t want people thinking bad things about me.”
“The people who matter are those closest to you, and the person who matters most is you. As long as what you’re doing feels right to you, and you’re not hurting anyone, I don’t see that there’s anything to worry about.” He stroked his fingers over her cheek and stood up. “Let’s go help Brenna move her stuff. Friends. Family. They’re the people who count, Jess. Keep them close.”
“Do you think there’s something wrong with me that I don’t feel anything?” She blurted the words out. “Because I’ve kind of wondered about that. Like maybe I’m cold and unfeeling or something?”
He cursed under his breath and dragged her into his arms. “There’s nothing wrong with you, honey. Carly arrived, and you were sent away. That’s going to make things complicated. No one would blame you for resenting her a little bit.”
“That’s not it.” Her voice was muffled against his chest. “I don’t resent her. If anything, I’m grateful. She’s the reason I’m here, and I’d rather be living with you than with Mom. And I guess I feel guilty because maybe I’m supposed to be sad or something.”
“Right.” Tyler’s throat felt scratchy and raw. “Well, then, that’s good because everyone is happy. You don’t have to feel guilty about that. Now let’s stop talking about deep stuff because it’s making my head ache. Tell me about your day.”
“Mine was good. Better than yours.” She sniffed and pulled away. “Tell me about the reporter. Grandma was worried you might kill him.”
“I tried. He got away.”
Jess laughed. “He was a good skier?”
“He was lucky.” Aware that she hadn’t really answered the question about her day, he made a note to tackle it later. “Let’s go pick up Brenna.”
“Both of us?”
“Sure. She looked pretty sick about having to move out of Forest Lodge, and seeing you might cheer her up.” Reasoning that a third person in the mix would be better for all concerned, Tyler scooped up his keys. “Let’s go before she trudges all the way over here with her cases. We can help her pack up the lodge if she hasn’t already done it. Zip your coat up because it’s freezing out there.”
“I’m not three years old, Dad.”
“Good. Because there is no way I’d be changing your diaper and mashing up your food.”
“I stopped wearing diapers when I was two years old.” Jess grinned. “You don’t know a thing about babies, do you? Can we take Ash and Luna? I don’t like leaving them.”
“Jess, we’re driving two minutes down the track. They’re not going to die of neglect in two minutes.”
“Yes, but it’s snowing, and anything could happen. They might worry about us, especially Luna. Huskies are a social breed. She likes to know where I am at all times. They’re family, and you said family is important.” She grabbed the dogs, and Tyler resigned himself to another drive with panting dogs.
“Come on, then, although where Brenna’s luggage is going to fit, I have no idea, and if Ash howls or scratches my car, I’m taking him to the pound.”
“I know you don’t mean that because you and Uncle Jackson were the ones who rescued Maple.”
“Yeah, well, Maple was cute and vulnerable. Ash is a bruiser.”
Jess buried her head in Ash’s fur. “Ignore him, sweetie, he loves you, really.”
“I do not love him.” Relieved to see her smiling again, Tyler walked to the door. “He’s a smelly, rabid apology for a dog.”
“He is not rabid!” She followed him to the car. “I saw Dana today. She’s going to help me train him.”
“That is the first piece of good news I’ve had today. That animal is in dire need of training, that’s for sure, and no one has more experience with Siberian huskies than my cousin. Fasten your seat belt.”
“She said if I go over there she’ll teach me about sledding. That would be so cool. I’d love to take the team out in the forest. Have you done it before?”
“Yeah, but it’s too slow for me. When they breed a turbo-charged husky, I’ll try it again.”
“But a whole team of dogs pulling you through the forest—that’s so cool. Tourists pay a fortune for it. If Dana’s your cousin, and she’s your grandfather’s sister’s granddaughter, what relationship is she to me?” Jess sprang into the seat next to him, and the dogs piled in after her, smacking Tyler in the face with wagging tails.
“Probably second cousin or—I have no idea. Don’t ask difficult questions. Save them for Grandma. And get those dogs in the back. Last time I checked, neither of them could drive a car.” Shaking his head, Tyler reversed out of the space and drove down the track. The snow had accumulated during the day, but the roads that ran through the resort had been plowed and the snow was piled thick and deep at the side of the road.
Jess whooped with delight. “So much snow. Will I still be able to race tomorrow?”
“Yes, providing the visibility is good.” He pulled up outside Forest Lodge.
Through the huge glass windows, he could see a lone suitcase sitting in the middle of the floor.
“Brenna obviously hasn’t finished packing, so let’s get inside and help her.” He sprang from the car and the dogs followed, sending snow flying as they bounded up the steps of the lodge.
Opening the door without knocking, Tyler walked in, and the dogs pushed past him.
“Sit. Sit.” He grabbed Ash by the collar and pushed the dog’s rump down onto the wooden floor. “Stay. If you mess this place up my brother will kill me, and then I’ll kill you.”
Jess unwound her scarf from her neck, sending snow flying. “If Uncle Jackson killed you first, you wouldn’t be able to kill Ash.”
“Then you’d have to kill him for me. Stay with them and make sure they don’t jump on the sofa.”
“It says on the website that well-behaved dogs are allowed in the lodges.”
“Exactly. Ash and Luna are the worst-behaved dogs on the planet. That’s why they’re living with me and not Grandma.”
“Because they played rough with Maple?”
“Yeah, well a miniature poodle and two bruiser huskies aren’t a good mix. They treated every game like football, and Maple was the ball. Brenna?” Where the hell was she?
He knew she was upset, which was why he hadn’t fought against Kayla’s all too obvious
