“I heard that,” her husband told her.

The woman laughed.

Rina chatted with the family a few more minutes, then went to find Jesse.

“What do you know about Cameron visiting prospective adoptive families?”

Jesse handed Rina a cloth bag that she started filling with cat food. Each pet was being sent home with a month’s worth of food.

“You didn’t know?” she asked, sounding surprised. “He spent part of Thursday afternoon and most of yesterday out talking to people who’d said they were interested in adopting. He didn’t tell you?”

Rina shook her head. “No. He’s offering a certificate for a free exam, too.”

Jesse smiled. “He wants your holiday pet adoption to be a success. You should be happy.”

“I am, of course. It’s just strange.”

He hadn’t said a word. Not that she’d seen him in the past few days. She’d had the excuse of being busy. Now she just had to get through the holidays, and then she could start forgetting she’d ever fallen in love with him.

Jesse took the full bag of food. “It’s a good thing. Maybe you should just accept that.”

Rina nodded and got back to work.

By three in the afternoon, all the pets had been adopted, the pet food was distributed and more than a couple of the decorations had started to droop. Rina had accepted help for cleanup and then had sent everyone home. There were only a few chairs left to stack and she could handle that on her own.

She’d just collected her backpack to head to her car when the side door opened.

She opened her mouth to tell the people that the event was over, only to realize they weren’t prospective pet owners. Instead, Cameron and Kaitlyn walked toward her.

She hadn’t seen either of them in three days and it felt like years. She wanted to rush forward and hug Kaitlyn, be hugged by Cameron and taken home. She wanted to revel in the affection and laughter she always found in their house. But that wasn’t to be.

“I heard all the pets got adopted,” Cameron said as he approached. “Congratulations.”

“You had a big part in that,” she said, hoping she was looking friendly rather than desperately in love. “Thank you for your help.”

“It’s the least I could do.” He raised his chin slightly. “I like your shirt.”

She glanced down at the Adopt a Pet graphic. “I thought they were festive. It made the volunteers feel special and—”

As she’d been speaking, Cameron and Kaitlyn had started removing their coats. Now she saw they wore similar shirts, only the phrase was a little different. Cameron’s T-shirt said Adopt a Vet and Kaitlyn’s read Adopt a Vet’s Daughter. Instead of a drawing of a cat and dog, there was a picture of the three of them, taken at the end of the summer festival earlier that year.

Hope blossomed. Fragile, brave hope that grew inside her. “I don’t understand,” she whispered.

Cameron stepped toward her. “Rina, I’m sorry. I was blind and stupid and afraid. I wasn’t looking to fall in love, so I didn’t recognize it when it happened. I couldn’t see the beautiful, special, wonderful woman standing right in front of me.”

She drew in a breath. “It happens,” she managed.

He took another step and reached for her hands, taking them in his. His steady gaze was full of promise.

“When I kissed you that night, I felt all the possibilities and they terrified me. I was afraid loving meant losing and I couldn’t bear to lose you. You are strong and kind and the most giving person I know. I trust you with my heart. More important, I trust you with my daughter.”

Rina glanced at the girl, who was practically dancing in place. She’d obviously promised to be quiet, but was having trouble keeping her promise. As Rina smiled at her, Kaitlyn slapped a hand over her mouth and spun in a circle.

“I’m sorry I didn’t accept what you offered,” he continued, drawing her attention back to him. “I’m sorry I couldn’t see what you did for us. But I do know, and I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove myself. Kaitlyn and I love you.” He smiled at his daughter. “We want to marry you and be a family together.”

“Like we are now!” The words burst from Kaitlyn who rushed toward them.

Then the three of them were holding on as if they would never let go. Rina felt the pain draining away, replaced by the knowledge that dreams really do come true. Loving Cameron and his daughter had been the best part of her. It would continue to be so…forever.

Chapter Seven

Christmas morning came early. Rina found herself being gently shaken a little before six. She opened her eyes and saw Kaitlyn staring down at her.

“You were awake, right?” the girl asked anxiously. “Daddy said I wasn’t to wake you.”

Rina laughed. “I was awake enough.”

“Good. There are presents and it’s snowing! I know it won’t stick, but there’s snow on Christmas! Come on. Get up!”

Rina sat up and stretched. She was wearing red and white candy-cane pajamas, just like the ones Kaitlyn had on. Somewhere in the house, Cameron had on a pair, too. An early Christmas present from her fiancé.

As she got out of bed, her diamond engagement ring caught the light and sparkled. Another early Christmas present that Cameron had given her last night. And after Kaitlyn had gone to bed, things had gotten even better.

Usually she went home after dinner. They had agreed it would be better for her not to spend the night until after they were married in a couple of weeks. Then Kaitlyn had begged for Rina to sleep over on Christmas Eve and sometime around two in the morning, Rina had reluctantly left Cameron’s bed to spend the rest of the night in the guest room.

Noah trotted into the room, her nails clicking on the hardwood floor. Cameron followed, looking both handsome and silly in his Christmas pajamas.

“Merry Christmas,” he told her. “I have coffee brewing.”

“And hot chocolate for me,” Kaitlyn said. “And she was already awake. Sort of.”

“Give me five minutes,” Rina said, smiling at them both. “Then I’ll be right out.”

She used the bathroom and brushed her teeth, then stepped into slippers and joined Cameron and Kaitlyn in the kitchen. Outside, snow fell. A light dusting covered the deck and backyard. Only Noah’s pawprints disturbed the pristine beauty.

Before handing Rina her coffee, Cameron pulled her close and kissed her. Then he held out his arm so Kaitlyn was included.

“Group hug,” the girl said with a contented sigh. “Daddy, I’m really glad there are presents, but this is the best one.”

“For me, too,” Rina said.

“For all of us,” Cameron agreed.

Kaitlyn looked up at them and smiled. “See. I told you. We had to give Rina something so she knows we love her. And we gave her us.”