PRETEND -MARRYING

A second later, Kiera pops up. She gives me a thumbs up to show she’s ok. And then she goes back to crossing the field, this time more carefully.

I glance at Nicole. “You’re good with kids.”

She shrugs off the compliment. “I used to babysit my little cousins back in Texas. Girls Kiera’s age want to test out being a little more independent. And they’re normally tougher than their parents think.”

“You mean tougher than their dads think,” I say.

“Nicole slides her gloved fingers between mine. “I like that you want to protect her from everything, Nathan. And I think Kiera does too. It’s one of the things that helps her be so brave.”

“You think?” My voice sounds gruff, even to my own ears.

Amelia smiles up at me. She double checks Kiera isn’t watching, then sneaks a kiss. It’s sweet and chaste. Like freshly fallen snow.

Then she pulls back, and we both start walking after Kiera, holding onto each other to avoid slipping on the packed snow.

My chest feels weirdly warm over Nicole’s words.

I