LITMIR.BIZ

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brought the holidays back into his life.

      He started the engine, but he wasn’t ready to go home yet. He didn’t want to be alone with Isabella. It was a few weeks till Christmas – he’d have to start thinking about setting up visits between Tyler and the Forresters. Isabella wouldn’t be happy about that. She’d done a decent job of bringing his nephew out of his shell in a short time. But the fact remained: Tyler was six years old and needed a family. He needed two parents who loved each other. He needed a mother. And Jordan couldn’t offer him any of that.

      So, Santa be damned. The Forresters were his best hope to fill Tyler’s needs.

      ***

      Isabella was more nervous than she’d been on her first day substituting at Snow Pass Elementary. She watched out the window as a black sedan pulled into the driveway and parked. A tall, striking man with dark hair got out of the driver’s side and walked around to open the passenger door. Already, Isabella was keeping mental points, and she had to admit that this was ‘one’ for Zach Forrester. He was a gentleman…good.

      As Abby Forrester stepped from the luxurious car, she stared up at the house, visibly admiring the stone architecture that was Jordan’s creation. She was pretty, Isabella thought. Not beautiful, like she imagined Kim had been, but fresh and clean. There was no makeup on her face, and her hair was past her shoulders, nearly as dark as her deep-set eyes. She looked like a mom. One point for her.

      Isabella had pulled her own hair back into a ponytail and changed into a gray skirt and sweater just moments before the couple arrived. She checked her reflection in the mirror on the wall of the foyer as the doorbell rang. It was almost like open house, meeting her student’s parents for the first time – something she hadn’t had the privilege of doing at Snow Pass, having arrived well after the school year began. But this wasn’t school, and these weren’t Tyler’s parents.

      Not yet, anyway.

      She opened the door, greeting the Forresters with a polite ‘nice to meet you’ and ‘Merry Christmas’. They were carrying several brightly wrapped packages of various sizes and Isabella led the way to the living room where they placed them under the tree.

      “Would you like some coffee?” Isabella’s smile was guarded.

      “Yes, thank you,” Abby replied.

      Isabella motioned for them to sit down, then went to the kitchen. It was as if she was outside her own body, doing something that had to be done, but she loathed having anything to do with it. She couldn’t help but think she was betraying Tyler.

      As she poured the hot coffee, tears filled her eyes. She was so emotional, with Tyler’s heartbreaking situation, the holidays – and maybe even because, so far, the Forresters seemed perfect. Which was good, except that it would probably sway Jordan’s decision in their favor.

      Isabella composed herself and entered the living room, setting their cups down on the table. “Here you are.”

      She took a seat opposite the couple on the couch, smiling with a false brightness, feeling as if she were preparing for an interview. Which, she supposed, she was. And it would be the interview of her life. A six-year-old boy’s future depended on it.

      “So, have you known Tyler long?”

      Zach Forrester remained silent, his gaze moving to his wife, who seemed ready for Isabella’s questions. “Oh, yes,” she said. “I’ve known him ever since he was born. Actually, Kim and I met at the doctor’s office the day she confirmed her pregnancy. And eight months later, I was there when Kim gave birth.”

      Perfect, Isabella thought. Another point. “How well do you know Jordan? You’ve met him?”

      This time, Zach answered. He sat forward, clasping his hands together while resting his elbows on his knees. He lowered his eyes and nodded his head. “Yes – I know him. I went to boarding school with his brother Derek, and I worked with him when he was co-owner of Butler Enterprises.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “He left after Derek and Kim got married. We haven’t spoken much since then.”

      Isabella met Zach’s gaze. She saw kindness and a touch of uncertainty in his striking blue eyes. He seemed vulnerable in a way, and she found it endearing. Despite the fact that she wanted to dislike him, she felt the opposite. But Abby Forrester was unreadable, mysterious. Isabella turned to her.

      “Do you have children of your own, Mrs. Forrester?”

      “Call me Abby, please,” she responded with sugary sweetness. “And,” she continued, “to answer your question – sadly, we don’t. Although it’s not from a lack of trying.” She smiled at her husband, who seemed slightly embarrassed by her remark.

      “And to answer your next question, Zach and I have been married for five years, but we met at Kim and Derek’s wedding. They asked us to stand up for them when they eloped.”

      Ohhh. Take a point away from each of them – even if they were just being loyal friends.

      “It took a few years, but I finally got Zach to come around,” Abby finished, laughing nervously. “By then, Jordan had…made a new life. I haven’t had the chance to get to know him very well.”

      Isabella wondered why she sounded so tense. Another point down. The Forresters had broken even, and Isabella was surprised to find herself disappointed by that. After all, if Jordan decided to send Tyler to live with them, she wanted to be certain Zach and Abby Forrester were stable parents.

      “How do you feel about pets, dogs in particular?” Might as well throw it in there. After all, she hoped to give Tyler something he wanted for Christmas. And he might be moving in with them, eventually.

      “Love them,” Zach spoke up, displaying a devastating grin. “So, you’re Tyler’s teacher?”

      Isabella returned his smile. “Yes.” She nodded. “He’s a wonderful boy.”

      “He is,” Zach agreed.

      “How did you come to this arrangement – if you don’t mind my asking?” Abby interjected. Isabella had already anticipated the question.

      “Well,” she started, “Jordan and I agreed it would be good for Tyler to have as much support as possible during this difficult time in his life. So, I’m staying in the guesthouse until after the holidays.”

      “But why you – his teacher? Or are you and Jordan…?”

      “Abigail.” Zach’s voice was low but firm. “That’s none of our business.”

      Isabella took a deep breath. She’d expected this question, as well. “It’s all right, Mr. Forrester. And please, call me Isabella.” She smiled again.

      “Call me Zach,” he returned.

      “All right,” she agreed. “And since we’re on a first-name basis now, I’ll answer. I understand your concern for Tyler’s welfare.” She looked at Abby. “I’m staying in the guesthouse, and I’m here for Tyler. Jordan asked me to stay, to help Tyler get through his first Christmas without his parents.” She met Abby’s cool stare. “Jordan and I are not a couple.”

      “That’s right.”

      Everyone turned to the front door as Jordan entered. His eyes were guarded, and Isabella found it impossible to read them. But, she imagined he wasn’t pleased that she had guests without his knowledge. Especially these guests.

      “Zach, good to see you again.” Jordan moved into the living room. Zach stood and the two men shook hands.

      “Good to see you, Jordan,” Zach replied. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

      Jordan hesitated, then looked down. “I didn’t have a chance to talk to you at the memorial. Thank you for arranging it.”

      Isabella sensed his uneasiness and made an attempt to change the subject. “The Forresters were Christmas

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