There’s a loud bang. Holly gasps and starts to jump into my arms, only to have the power go out. We smack heads, both of us crying out in pain. She lets out a soft whimper, and automatically my embrace tightens around her. “Are you okay?”

“Uh huh. I’m scared.”

“It’ll be okay. I’m sure your dad can fix it.” That’s what dads do; they fix everything. I stand, and Holly’s legs go around my waist. She’s not letting go of me, even if I wanted to put her down. I shuffle my feet toward her door, hoping I can get there without stepping on anything. She’s seven, and the clutter in her room reflects that.

When I heard Aiden needed a tree stand I didn’t hesitate to bring it over. I want to feel useful while I’m here, and honestly I’m a bit tired of everyone handling me with kid gloves. My mom won’t let me cook or use the oven, out of fear I’ll burn myself, which is ridiculous. She’s worried I’ll do something to mess up my next movie role. Calvin refuses to let me drive, which I get. It’s his job to be by my side and protect me. Dominic… well, he doesn’t care what I do, as long as he benefits from it somehow. Yes, it seems rude, but I made a promise to him when we were younger that he’d get to relish in the perks of my success, and he hasn’t let me forget it. My dad, on the other hand, had no qualms tossing me his keys. Of course, the look he gave me threw me off kilter a bit. Instead of staying and asking him why he was making funny eyes at me, I hightailed it out of Mr. Steve’s with the tree stand in my hand.

I intended to drop the stand off and head home, at least that’s what I kept saying to myself as I drove over here. When Holly invited me in and asked me to stay, I couldn’t say no. Maybe I should’ve, but there’s something between Aiden and me that I feel is worth exploring. I’m not looking for a relationship, and according to every woman in town, neither is he, but I’d like to re-establish the friendship we once had. I know I’m to blame for the lack of communication. I didn’t stay in touch with anyone, but being back here now, I want everything to be different. I’m going to make the necessary changes to keep Ramona Falls a part of my life.

Much like Holly’s bedroom, the hallway is pitch black. The noise down the hall has my heart beating a bit faster than normal, and the howling wind can be heard through the walls. Holly’s grip tightens with each step I take toward the living room. I don’t know why, but I’m treating this like a scene from a movie. Although, I’ve never done any horror movies and if I have to feel like this — uneasy and unsure, I’d rather stick to rom-coms and romance.

“Fish?” I call out and receive no response.

“Where’s Daddy?”

“Probably outside.” I finally make it into the living room where the large picture window does give off a bit of light from the moon reflecting on the snow. Holly and I sit on the couch and wrap up with the afghan that’s draped over the back.

“My mommy made this,” she says, putting the blanket up to her chin.

“It’s beautiful.”

If the power weren’t out, sitting here would be peaceful with the heavily falling snow, even though it’s impossible for me to get home. The morning after a storm is my favorite time. There’s nothing better than driving down a tree-lined road, under a canopy of snow with the sun shining bright against the snow. Storms like this are a photographer’s dream. They’ll be able to capture nature at her best once the sun rises.

The kitchen door flies open, startling Holly and I. I set her aside so I can close the door, only for Aiden to walk in with his arms full of wood. “Let me help you.”

“Can you shut the door?”

“Of course.”

Aiden dumps the pile of wood into the box by the fireplace and drops down to his knees. “I bet you ladies are cold.”

“We are, Daddy.”

He looks over his shoulder, toward Holly and pauses. “Do you need me to do anything?” I ask.

“Can you make sure her coat is ready? I haven’t used this fireplace for a few years, and I’m not sure what kind of draft we’re going to get.”

“Yes, of course. Do you have a flashlight, Fish?”

“Cupboard next to the refrigerator.”

Right. Got it. Except I don’t, and I’m trying not to panic. I fumble through the kitchen, barely escaping a toe-stubbing accident and use my hands to guide my way until I’ve reached the cool metal of the flashlight. I press the button, and it comes on instantly. “So much better,” I say with relief.

I do as Aiden asks, making sure all of Holly’s stuff is ready to go in the event we have to evacuate. It’s only when I pick up my coat, does my cell fall out of my pocket. I bring it to life; surprised I still have cell service here. It’s always been questionable here.

Numerous texts are sitting there, unread. Most of them are from Calvin, asking if he needs to come pick me up. The last thing I want is for him or anyone else to drive in this storm, and honestly, I don’t want to leave Aiden and Holly.

There’s a soft glow coming from the fireplace, illuminating Aiden. His back is to me, giving me the perfect opportunity to stare at him. Under his bulky clothes I imagine his muscles are straining each time he stokes the fire and how much he must feel a sense of pride for making sure his little girl has heat.

My phone vibrates again with a text from Calvin. I open it and reply with: I’m fine. See you in the morning, before shutting it off. The weather turned what could’ve been a quick night into the slumber party Holly wants to have.

“The fire feels great,” I say, standing next to Aiden with my hands hovering toward the opening.

“Thanks. As I said, I don’t normally use it.”

“Why not? It’s a great source of heat.”

Aiden shakes his head slightly and doesn’t answer. I use this as my cue to go back to Holly. She’s lying down, watching her father as he builds a fire, but as soon as I sit, she crawls into my lap and nestles into me.

“What’s it like to make a movie?” she asks.

“Oh boy… well, it can be a lot of fun, but can also be a lot of work. I have to memorize my lines and say them repeatedly, all while someone is telling me what to do. However, I get to play dress up all the time, and someone is always playing with my hair and doing my makeup.”

“That sounds fun.”

“It can be.” My fingers start moving through her hair. She looks up and smiles.

“What else?” Aiden asks. He sits down in the middle of the couch, his leg touching mine. I make zero effort to move.

“Well, let’s see. Sometimes I get to travel and go to these amazing places to shoot the movies. Other times, they’re done on a studio lot.”

“What’s that?” Holly asks.

“It’s a giant place where a lot of television shows are filmed, along with commercials, movies, and a few other things. Someday, I’ll show you.”

“You will?” she asks, sitting up straighter. “You mean I can come to your house?”

“Of course, you and your dad can come anytime you want.”

I can feel Aiden’s eyes on me. I’m hesitant to look at him, knowing I’ve overstepped. It happens. I get excited. I haven’t been able to be me in a long time. I mean sure, Holly’s asking about making movies, but somehow her questions feel different. She’s not doing it to be intrusive. She wants to know about me and my life.

“Tell me, are you a Girl Scout?”

She nods, and a yawn quickly follows. “A Brownie. I’m earning my badges.”

“I was a Brownie too when I was your age. I couldn’t wait to become a Girl Scout so I could sell cookies.”

“Cookies are my favor…” another yawn cuts off her words.

“Why don’t I take you to bed, Holly.” Aiden reaches for his daughter. Only she snuggles deep into the hole between my body and the back of the couch.

“No, I want to stay with Delaney, and I don’t have a nightlight.”

“It’s late,” he states.

“I’ll go to sleep right here.” Holly closes her eyes, causing Aiden and me to chuckle. He shakes his head, clearly admitting defeat. When he doesn’t reach for her, I adjust slightly, giving her more space, and making sure she’s covered.

There’s a long bit of silence, where only the crackling of the fire, the whistling wind, and our breathing fills the void.

“How’s work?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“I’m wondering if we should announce our intent to marry tomorrow while I’m at church or wait until the tree lighting ceremony.”

I can’t hold back my laughter, even though I’m trying. Aiden and I both look at Holly, fearful that I might wake her. For a kid who closed her eyes to pretend to sleep, it didn’t take her long to pass out. “I can call Calvin and ask him to come get me.”

He shakes his head. “No, it’s not worth it. No one should be driving in this stuff. I’ll find a way to deal with your brother.”

“He’s as bad as my mother.”

“He did learn from her,” Aiden points out. “After the incident at the mall, he serenaded me with the hero song.”

“No, he didn’t?”

Aiden doesn’t even have to confirm what he told me. I know Dominic well enough to know he’d do something ridiculous like that. “I’m sorry. He’s just…”

“Dominic—”

“The donkey.” I interrupt Aiden to finish. “I should ask my parents if that’s why they named him Dominic. Maybe they had a premonition before he was born.”

Aiden does everything he can to hold back his laughter. Holly stirs, causing us both to cover our mouths. “No more jokes.” He begs.

“I can’t help it. Dom tortured me while I was growing up. I can at least poke fun at his name, especially at Christmastime. I think tomorrow I’m going to play it loudly and make snorting sounds when he comes home.”

Aiden’s eyes go wide. “Please, invite me over. This is something I have to see.”

“Deal.”

Aiden gets up to stir the fire, and I use the chance to readjust Holly, so I’m a little more comfortable. He takes the spot next to me, sitting so close our bodies are touching. He smells like wood, fire, and Christmas, all wrapped up. I’m tempted to inhale deeply, but don’t want to come off as a weirdo. Instead, on the inside, I’m giddy as a schoolgirl sitting next to her crush.

“What’s your one regret?” I ask him.

He takes a deep breath in and exhales slowly. “I don’t know if I have any. I think that once you have a child, anything you wish you had done differently goes out the window because of the love you feel for them. What about you?”

“I would’ve told Dom to leave us alone.”

“Laney…”

“No, just listen, Fish. For a long time, I always wondered if I missed my opportunity at my happily ever after. Hollywood is rough on life, love, and happiness, but I always thought I’d keep the small town girl with me even out there, and find my one and only. But it wasn’t until you pulled me over that day and I looked into your eyes that I finally felt like I was home again. I know neither of us is in any place to be more than friends, but I do wonder if I had made different choices, how life would’ve been.”

Aiden doesn’t respond with words but does with the most fantastic gesture possible. He clasps his hand with mine and leans into me.