Chapter 21

After Talon helped me carry my bags to my rental car, I called Daphne on my way to her house.

"Hello," Daphne said.

I could barely form words around the tears streaming down my face and the tightening of my throat.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

I took a deep breath, then said, "Aiden asked me to leave the inn. Can I stay with you tonight?"

Daphne sucked in a breath. "Why would he do that?"

"It's a long story. Can we talk about it when I get there?"

"Of course. Drive safely, and I'll see you when you get here." Daphne's voice was filled with concern.

When I pulled up, Daphne met me on the porch.

She ushered me inside. "Cole will get your things."

We settled on the bed in the guest room. "Tell me what happened."

I sighed. "Aiden's parents showed up at the wedding."

Cole set my bags next to the dresser, then said, "I'll get you two some water," before ducking out again.

"They made a scene, demanding to be allowed to stay at the reception."

Daphne's forehead wrinkled as she grabbed the tissue box from the nightstand and set it in front of me. "Were they even invited?"

"Nope."

"What did Aiden do?"

"He blocked them from going inside the ballroom, but they still managed to make a scene. Calling him trailer trash and saying he wasn't better than them. Then they asked for more money."

"Why would they show up on Marley's wedding day and act like that?" Daphne asked.

"This is how they are. It's the same reason he never wanted me to meet them when we dated. He eventually got them to leave. But I think them showing up there like that, causing a scene, brought back old memories. He thinks he's not good enough. That he'll always be that kid who grew up in a trailer."

Daphne shook her head. "No one thinks of him that way. He's a good man. He runs the inn. He's retired from the military. He's nothing like his parents."

"I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't listen. He blamed me for them showing up." I grabbed a tissue and dabbed at my eyes.

"How is it your fault?" Daphne asked.

"I posted the wedding preparation pictures online. Marley said capturing events like that would be good for marketing. I never thought his parents would see it and invite themselves. It was a beautiful moment I wanted to share."

Daphne held my hand. "How could you have anticipated his parents showing up? They haven't been around, have they?"

"Not since his grandmother kicked them out when Marley turned eighteen. She removed the trailer, and they weren't welcomed back. The mother mentioned something about Marley paying her off. Maybe after their grandmother died?"

Daphne shook her head. "I don't see how this is your fault. It sounds like he was upset by his parents showing up like that. He was surprised and took it out on you."

"I think he really believes that his parents will ruin everything, and he can't have a good life."

"So it's better to push all the good out of his life?" Daphne asked.

I closed my eyes. "I don't think he's ever going to move beyond his past."

"So what does this mean for you?"

Opening my eyes, I said, "I have to move on and figure out my life." My break was coming to an end. I needed to make a decision on my job and my future. Now that Aiden wasn't in it, that choice should be easier, but I couldn't even think about that tonight. I couldn't get past the pain. Aiden blamed me instead of seeking comfort. He'd pushed me away instead of holding on tight. "I can't get past the fact that he always does this. When he enlisted, when his parents showed up. He pushes me away. I can't stick around and let him do it to me again."

Daphne frowned. "You don't think he'll come around? That he'll realize he overreacted."

"I don't think so. He was adamant that it was my fault and that we couldn't be together. It was almost like he thought he didn't deserve happiness because of his parents."

Daphne was quiet for a few seconds, and then asked gently, "Are you in love with him?"

The tears fell harder. "We never said it to each other. I'm scared I never stopped loving him. What if he's it for me? I'll always be in love with a man I can't have. One who doesn't think he's good enough for me. Who can't heal from his past.

"It's not your job to fix him or convince him of anything. He needs to figure this out on his own."

"He never said he loved me," I said, trying to think back on our time together.

Daphne touched my hand which was twisting the tissue. "Did you feel his love?"

I thought about the way he'd been lately, how he'd held me tighter after sex, and how it had felt like so much more than a physical act. "I think so."

"He loved you even if he couldn't say the words."

I met Daphne's sympathetic gaze. "I need the words. I need so much more."

Daphne hugged me. "And you deserve that."

"What am I going to do?" I asked when she pulled away.

"You're going to get some sleep, and tomorrow, you're going to watch Izzy open her presents from Santa."

I laughed despite the tears drying on my face. "I'd love to see that."

Daphne smiled. "It's the best day of the year. Then you're going to eat the amazing breakfast I'm going to make, and then we're going to Dad's to see the rest of our family."

"It sounds perfect." This was the reason I'd come home.

Cole set two glasses on the nightstand. "Do I need to kick Aiden's ass?"

I laughed despite the tears. "No."

"I think he's kicking himself right now. He shouldn't have reacted like that." Then to Cole, she said, "His parents showed up at the reception, causing a scene. He blamed Fiona."

"He said I couldn't understand where he was coming from because I grew up with a loving family," I said, trying to get some clarity on what he'd meant by that.

Cole leaned a shoulder against the door jam. "I grew up with an alcoholic father and a mother who enabled him. I was embarrassed by him because he never showed up for anything, and the few times he did, he was drunk. I think he thought he was sober, but he wasn't."

Daphne stood and wrapped her arms around his middle.

"I'm so sorry, Cole," I said.

"I have an idea of where he's coming from. He needs to work through his past before you two can be together."

"He's pushed me away before, and I don't think I can keep coming back only to have my heart broken again."

Cole nodded. "That's something only you can decide."

I didn't want to know if he thought Aiden would change his mind. I had to operate on the assumption that he wouldn't. That he believed he wasn't good enough for me.

Daphne smiled. "No matter what happens, we're going to enjoy the holiday tomorrow."

"Thank you for letting me stay here."

"Get some sleep. Izzy will be up bright and early tomorrow," Daphne said as they backed out of the room, closing the door.

I forced myself to go into the adjoining bathroom to wash my face. It was red and puffy. I just hoped I didn't look this bad when Izzy opened her presents in the morning. I wanted to enjoy the day with my family, even though I knew the scene with Aiden would be replaying in my mind.

I patted my face dry, then opened my suitcases to search for my pajamas. I missed Aiden. I missed the inn. I'd been looking forward to spending the evening with him. It physically hurt to be separated from him, to replay the words he'd said in my head.

The ridiculous part was that it had nothing to do with me. It was all him. He thought he had to pay for the sins of his parents or he wasn't deserving of something good in his life. But it wasn't true.

Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything to fix this for him. He needed to figure it out for himself. I pulled on my softest pajamas and got into bed. I vowed to enjoy the holiday with my family. To not let Aiden's choices get me down. Even though I knew it was a losing prospect.

* * *

The next morning, I woke up to bouncing and an excited voice. "Aunt Fiona, get up."

I groaned and rolled back over, pulling the comforter over my head.

Someone tugged on the blanket until it slid off my body. "Come on. I want to open presents."

I rolled onto my back and reluctantly opened my eyes. Izzy was a streak of red-and-green-plaid pajamas as she raced out the room yelling, "She's up!"

Assuming that was my wake-up call, I brushed my teeth, then pulled a brush through my hair before joining Izzy, Cole, and Daphne in the living room.

"Santa came!" Izzy said to me while she posed for pictures in front of the tree by the window. Presents spilled out from underneath the low branches.

I placed my envelope for her on top of one of the packages.

Daphne handed me a cup of coffee. "Are you ready for this?"

"I will be. Thank you." I blew air over the steaming liquid, hoping to cool it. I felt good that I'd taken the time off work to be here.

I sat on the couch and watched while Cole handed Izzy present after present. There would be more at the Monroes house and at my dad's later today. And I had a feeling Cole bought a lot more for her than she usually received.

When she opened a box with a new bike helmet, she looked confused.

"That's from me. You're growing so fast, and you need a good one to protect your head," Cole said.

"I love it," Izzy said before she hugged him tightly. Then she set it aside for another one.

"Cole likes to purchase the practical presents," Daphne said to me, but I heard the warmth in her tone. Izzy hadn't grown up with her biological father, but Cole had stepped into the role.

When all the presents were unwrapped and she was playing with some figurine horses that were in her stocking, Daphne said, "We spoiled her this year."

"You mean Santa spoiled her," I reminded her.

"Nothing but the best for my girls," Cole said as he leaned down to kiss Daphne.

It was so sweet; my heart clenched. I wondered if I should have stayed at my dad's and let them have this morning to themselves. This was their first Christmas together in their new house.

"You forgot my present," I said to Izzy as I stood up and waded through the mounds of wrapping paper to find the envelope. "It's not as exciting as a box, but I hope you like it."

Izzy grinned at me as she tore it open.

"What is it?" Daphne asked from the couch where Cole now sat next to her.

Izzy's eyes widened. "It's a gift card for riding lessons."

"I know you can ride at the farm, but I thought it would be good to have some instruction. That stable also participates in competitions if that's something you'd like to do when you get older."

Izzy flew into my lap and hugged me. "I can't wait. Will you be here for my first lesson?"

I tensed. "I don't know when that will be, but I'd love to catch it."

Daphne shrugged and mouthed, "You shouldn't have."

But I just smiled because it felt good to give my niece what she wanted, and I knew it was expensive for Daphne, especially when she was trying to get her business off the ground.

While Daphne cooked breakfast, I helped Cole clean up the wrapping paper. I was so grateful to be here with my sister's family, but I couldn't shake the melancholy feeling about Aiden.

This morning, he'd texted, Merry Christmas, but nothing else since. I wasn't sure how to respond since he'd essentially kicked me out of the inn last night. Was he going to pretend that he hadn't gutted me?

I didn't have the luxury of taking time to think about it because today was for family. I'd have a moment to wallow tonight when everyone was asleep. I wouldn't let myself think about how much it hurt. I kept trying to push those thoughts to the back of my mind, but my heart ached, and my chest felt as if there was a hole in it.

That afternoon, I went to my dad's while Daphne, Cole, and Izzy headed to the Monroes to open presents there.

When I arrived at Dad's, Jameson greeted me at the door. "My favorite sister."

I smiled against his chest. "That's the same thing you tell Daphne."

Jameson stepped away, a grin on his face. "And I usually get away with it. It's rare you two are in the same place at the same time."

I winced. "I guess that's my fault."

"We haven't seen much of you since you've been staying at the inn," Dad said as I walked into the kitchen.

"I was helping Aiden and Marley renovate the movie theater, but that's done now." And I was positive he wouldn't want me helping with the rest of the projects. "I stayed with Daphne last night and got to see Izzy open her presents."

"I bet that was fun," Dad said with a smile on his face.

"It was nice."

"How long will you be staying after the holidays?" Dad asked.

"I'm not sure. I said I'd be back on the second." Now, there was no reason to extend the trip.

"I kind of hoped you would fall in love with this place and stay," Dad said easily.

I shook my head, my heart heavy. "I enjoy being here, but my job is there."

"Are you going to stay there or look for something else?" Jameson asked.

"I'll go back and look while I work. That's the smartest thing to do."

"Do you always do the smartest thing?" Jameson asked with a tone that said he already suspected the answer.

I stiffened. "I try to do the logical thing."

Jameson snorted. "It's more fun to do what you enjoy."

"And you enjoy firefighting, substitute teaching, and driving buses?" I asked.

Jameson grinned. "Those kids are the best. A school approached me and asked if I'd coach the football team."

"Are you serious?" I asked him.

Jameson was good at football, probably good enough to play in college, but he hadn't wanted to. He hadn't taken the college scouts seriously. Dad thought he should have listened to what they had to offer, but Jameson wouldn't. He said he was going to college for an education which none of us believed because he was more of a float-through-life kind of guy.

"You're going to do it?" Dad asked.

Jameson nodded. "Absolutely."

"You should probably be a teacher," I said thoughtfully.

"I like what I do," Jameson insisted.

I wondered if he'd felt pressured by his brothers to do something for the community like they did. I would think teachers are like that, but my brothers might not. Was he embarrassed that he wanted to help kids in this way?

Did Jameson have difficulty deciding because he was worried what we would think of his choices? If so, that changed how I looked at him. And I wished he'd follow his dreams and not worry about what his brothers would say. Surely, they'd be happy for him if they knew?

"You can't go back to school and change your career now," Dad said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"You have to pick a career at some point and stop switching around," Dad said.

It was Dad's typical criticism of Jameson. He couldn't decide what he wanted to do. Somehow, staying in the same career for life would prove something. "He should make the change if it's right for him."

Jameson held up his hands. "Stop it, you two. I said I was going to be coaching a kids' football team. I'm not changing the course of my life here."

Dad frowned. "Are you going to have time for something like this with your hours at the firehouse?"

"I'll make it work. The athletic director said something about an assistant." Then he glanced at his phone. "The school seemed to think it was impressive that I was a firefighter."

Even if Dad didn't realize it, his comment was a dig at this family who'd made it seem like his job wasn't as important as theirs. "It is impressive, Jameson. You do good work."

Wes walked into the kitchen. "Who does good work?"

His best friend, Sutton, followed him, wearing a dress and carrying a bakery box.

"Jameson."

"You mean with his job as a firefighter or a bus driver?" Wes asked.

"Firefighter," Jameson grumbled.

When Sutton set a box on the counter, Jameson dove for them, grabbing two before anyone else could react. "I love you, Sutton."

"Stay away from my friends," Wes said, but Sutton merely laughed.

"I didn't want to come empty handed." Sutton kissed Dad's cheek. "I got your favorite."

"You're always welcome here with or without food." Dad pulled down plates and set them next to the box. "Try not to eat like cavemen."

"We can't help it," Jameson said as he licked his fingers.

Dad pushed the napkins in his direction.

Sometimes, I wasn't sure he'd ever grow up. I rolled my eyes as I hugged Sutton who'd been at our house a lot when we were growing up.

"Now, what's this about Jameson's job?" Wes asked as he carefully set a donut on the plate and grabbed a napkin.

I sighed. "Stop giving him a hard time. You're going to give him a complex."

"I don't have a complex, and I don't need to be defended," Jameson said grumpily. "I love my jobs."

"Why do you have so many?" Wes asked.

"I like to keep busy," Jameson said.

"Jameson was just telling us that he's going to be coaching a kids' football team," Dad said.

"No shit?" Wes asked, and if I wasn't mistaken, there was a tint of respect in his voice.

Jameson nodded. "They approached me."

"That's great." Wes bit into his donut.

Dad busied himself pouring coffee for Wes and Sutton and milk for Jameson. "I'm happy to have most of my kids home for the holidays this year. That means more help with the turkey."

"Should we wait until Daphne's here?" I asked, knowing she was a better cook than all of us.

Dad looked at the counter where there was a piece of paper with something typed on it. "She left me written instructions."

I stepped close so I could read them. We worked together to follow the steps. Jameson put on holiday music, and we laughed and teased each other. I just hoped the turkey was edible when it was done cooking and not too dry.

When the turkey was in the oven, Wes said, "If it doesn't come out right, it's Daphne's fault. She should be here."

Teddy walked into the kitchen. "Where is Izzy? I want to see my favorite niece."

I hugged him. "They're at Cole's family's house. They'll be here soon."

Teddy grumbled.

"You're going to have to get used to Cole being in Daphne's life," Dad chided.

Teddy shook his head. "Izzy's ours. We shouldn't have to share her with the Monroes."

Dad braced his hands on the counter. "Then you know what you need to do."

"And what's that?" Teddy asked.

"Give me more grandbabies."

The guys groaned, and Jameson said, "Don't be ridiculous. You already have two."

Wes sipped his coffee. "None of us are ready to settle down."

My face heated, even though I knew they were talking about themselves. Whenever Dad gave the boys a hard time for not settling down, he wasn't referring to us girls. He knew we had a better chance of that than them.

Teddy scowled as he opened the box to find one donut left. "I don't want to have kids. I just want to see Izzy. Now that Daphne's not living here, we see her and Iz less."

"That's what happens when you meet someone. You become part of their life, and it includes their family," I said reasonably.

"Well, I don't like it."

Dad cleaned the crumbs off the counter. "What are we going to do with that cottage now that it's sitting empty?"

"You want it?" Wes asked Jameson.

Jameson shook his head. "I prefer the apartment over the garage."

"I'm not planning to stay in town," I said even as my chest tightened at the thought of going back to my old life.

Dad's face fell.

"Should we rent it out?" I asked. "It would mean more money for the farm."

"I don't know if I want a stranger living on the farm," Teddy said.

I racked my brain to think of someone we could offer the space to who wasn't a stranger. "Charlotte Monroe needs a place to stay. She's living at the inn temporarily."

Teddy's gaze narrowed on me. "No."

I placed my hands on my hips. "Are you saying that because she's a Monroe? You know she's a cousin, right? And has very little to do with the farm."

"I don't mind if she lives here. She's hot," Jameson said.

Teddy frowned. "How do you know that?"

Jameson shrugged. "I met her when I was hanging out with Daphne and Cole."

"Now you're hanging out with the Monroes?" Teddy asked him.

Jameson sighed. "Daphne is marrying one. I figured I should get to know my future brother-in-law better."

Dad drew up to his full height. "Cole is adopting Izzy. Whether you like it or not, he's a member of this family. And you need to get over this ridiculous feud."

His words effectively ended the debate on Charlotte living in the cottage. I had a bigger issue. I needed to figure out where my life was going and soon. I was due to go back to work in a week.