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an answer.”

      “I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve been thinking about Christmas. If Brenna’s going to be living with us, we should buy her a present. A big one. It needs to be a proper Christmas. She can’t be the only one without a pile of presents under the tree and a stocking at the end of her bed.”

      Tyler, who didn’t want to think about stockings or beds in relation to Brenna and was still trying to work out how to get something other than fine out of his daughter, nodded. “Sure. Whatever. No, wait a minute.” He realized he hadn’t done anything about Christmas gifts. “Who says there is going to be a pile of presents for you? Have you sent a letter to Santa?”

      Jess slouched in her seat. “I stopped believing in Santa when I was six, Dad. And no one writes letters anymore.”

      “So?” Stuck behind a snowplow, he drummed his fingers on the wheel. “Send an email to the North Pole. Message him. Get him on Skype. Do whatever you teens do to communicate these days. The guy needs clues.”

      Jess laughed. “Skype with Santa. That sounds like something Kayla would dream up.”

      “It does.”

      “So you’re basically telling me you don’t know what to buy me.”

      “A few hints might be helpful. Do you really think I should buy something for Brenna? I never have before.”

      “She’s living in our house. She’s going to be waking up with us on Christmas morning. It’s going to be super awkward if we all have presents and she doesn’t have anything to open.”

      He turned left at the sign that said Snow Crystal Resort and Spa. “So maybe she would like to write to Santa, too.”

      “He’s going to be a busy guy.” She leaned forward to look at the ski slopes. “The lift is still running. Can I squeeze in one run?”

      “You have to do your assignment. What is it?”

      “English. We’re studying Romeo and Juliet. Kill me now.”

      “If your teachers think you should be studying it, then you should be studying it.” He slowed as he approached a couple pulling two kids on a sledge. “I have no idea what to buy Brenna for Christmas.”

      “Do you know she was always given dolls and stuff for Christmas? She hated dolls. We should get her something she’d love. I’ll think of something.” She was out of the car before he could ask any more questions, leaving him to follow.

      They walked into the house and were almost flattened by Ash and Luna. “You’d better take these two out for a quick walk.”

      “I’m going over to Grandma’s later. They can come. Can I sleep over?”

      “Sure.” Tyler saw Brenna’s coat hanging on the hook. “Are you eating with Grandma?”

      “Yes, but I’ll grab a snack because I want to get this stupid assignment done before I go.”

      He probably should have told her that the assignment wasn’t stupid, but she was already gone, her bag swinging against her hip as she walked into the den, Luna at her heels.

      He opened his mouth to remind her that the dogs weren’t supposed to be in the den, and closed it again. With Jess occupied, this would be a good moment to talk to Brenna.

      He took the stairs two at a time but heard the sound of the shower running and backed away again.

      He was in the kitchen, contemplating the contents of the fridge with something close to gloom when she walked into the room.

      Tyler almost swallowed his tongue.

      Her dress was black and stretchy. Stretchy enough to sit snug and tight against every curve and dip. It was a dress designed for the woman with the perfect body.

      And Brenna had the perfect body.

      A body he’d made a point of ignoring until recently.

      To make things worse, she’d added black stockings and a pair of shoes with heels that could have doubled as a lethal weapon.

      If Jess had walked in dressed like that, he would have grounded her.

      He slammed the fridge shut. “You’re planning on going through with it, then?”

      “Excuse me?”

      “This thing tonight. You’re going through with it.”

      “It’s called a date, Tyler. And I’m not only planning on going through with it, I’m planning on enjoying it, too. Is that a problem?”

      Yeah, it was a problem. Decking the chief of police was going to come with consequences. “The weather is bad tonight. Not the best night to be on the roads. You should cancel.”

      “Because of the weather? Josh grew up here, like you and I. He’s driven in this weather since he got his license. If we stopped for the weather, we’d stop living.”

      “It takes extra concentration, that’s all.” And he was willing to bet Josh would be distracted. Who wouldn’t be, with Brenna next to them? “Is that all you’re planning on wearing? You might want to pick something a little warmer.”

      “This is the only dress I own, Tyler.”

      He wondered how quickly he could get another dress delivered. “You should definitely wear a sweater. You need to cover up.”

      “I don’t have a sweater that’s fancy enough.”

      “I’ll call Kayla,” he said desperately. “According to Jackson, she brought half of New York City with her when she moved. He’s thinking of giving her a room especially for her clothes.”

      “I’ll wear my coat. And Josh’s car will be heated.”

      And she’d be in that car. With Josh. With those mile-long legs on display in those mile-high heels.

      “You might be better in snow boots.”

      “Snow boots?” She looked at him as if he’d gone crazy.

      “We had two feet of snow this weekend.”

      “But not in the restaurant, I hope.”

      “How are you going to get from the car to the restaurant?”

      “I don’t know, but I’ve been skiing Devil’s Drop since I was six, so I think I can manage to walk up a path.” Her eyes glinted with anger. “What is wrong with you?”

      That was a question he couldn’t answer. “I didn’t have the best day.” But nowhere near as bad as his evening was going to be. “Look, I was hoping we could talk about Jess. She said something today. Has she confided in you? Said something?”

      “Confided generally means someone doesn’t want you to disclose information.”

      “But this is Jess. If you knew something bad was happening, you’d tell me, right?”

      Her eyes skidded from his. “You should be having this conversation with her, not me.”

      “I’m having it with you. She’s my daughter, Brenna! She’s vulnerable. If you know something, you should tell me.” He broke off as the door opened and Jess barreled in with two thoroughly overexcited dogs.

      “I decided to walk the dogs now instead, so I’m going to Grandma’s and taking my English assignment with me.” Freezing air and snow followed her into the house. “Can you give me a lift, Dad?”

      Ash shook himself, sending snow flying, and then caught sight of Brenna and bounded toward her.

      “Sit!” Tyler roared, and the dog skidded to a halt and plopped onto the floor with an offended whine.

      “We’re on our third lesson with Dana. He’s trying so hard.” Looking proud, Jess toed off her

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