Wild Christmas (Wild Heart Mountain: Wild Rider’s MC #17)

12. Nate

12

NATE

M aisie is lethargic when I pick her up. We stop by the drug store to stock up on kids medicine. I head across the road, carrying Maisie to the local bookstore, but it’s closed for Christmas.

It will have to be flowers and chocolates. When I get to the counter of the local store, Larry’s wearing a Christmas hat and his nose is red like he’s already on the brandy.

“Is Santa coming to visit?” he asks Maisie, but she turns her head into my chest and burrows into my neck.

“Better get home before the snow gets any heavier. You don’t want to be out, especially in that toy car of yours.”

He chuckles like I haven’t heard that joke a hundred times. A Tesla isn’t the usual car for the mountains, but it’s safe for the kids and electric is the future. I have my bike when I want to joy ride.

Maisie lifts her head to beg me for some candy, and I’m so happy to hear her little voice that I get her one, and one for her sister too.

I swing past to get Dora from school. It’s a little early, but I want to get them home and off these roads before the snow gets heavy.

By the time we get to the cabin, the snow’s falling fast. I squint at the car parked in front of my charging post, not recognizing it. It’s not until I’m parked and out of the car that I realize Freya’s car is gone. A sinking feeling gnaws at my stomach, and I’m suddenly desperate to get the girls inside.

Sydney greets me at the door, throwing her arms around the girls and snatching them into a big hug. Seeing her aunt revives Maisie and she laughs and giggles, reassuring me somewhat.

“Where’s Freya?” I ask.

Sydney narrows her eyes at me in a look I know only too well. “She left.”

My stomach bottoms out. “You mean left left or left to go to the store?”

“Freya left?” Dora’s bottom lip wobbles. “Why did she leave Dad? We were going to have a Christmas dance party tonight.”

I give Sydney a look, because sometimes you have to put a spin on things for my kids. “We can still have a dance party.”

“No we can’t.” Dora stamps her foot, and her bottom lip juts out. “You don’t dance. Freya dances. Freya’s fun. You’re not fun, Dad.”

She storms off to her room and Maisie follows her, turning to give me a death stare, so I guess she’s feeling better. Now I’ve managed to drive the nanny away and piss off my kids.

Sydney’s looking at me with an amused expression on her face.

“When you say she left, did she…?”

“She had her suitcase with her. I told her she could go now that I’m here. I said you’d pay her, but I’m sure she wants to get home to her family.”

I run a hand through my hair. Her family is here, here with me. But I never got a chance to tell her that.

“I have to go.” I have to tell Freya how I feel before she thinks I’m some asshole who took advantage of her. But Maisie has a fever and Dora’s cross with me.

“I’ll take care of the girls.” Sydney reads my mind like any good sibling.

“Maisie has a fever, but I don’t think it’s serious. I gave her a dose of Tylenol. She won’t need any more for another four hours, but I’ll be back by then.” I hope I’ll be back with Freya.

I run a hand through my hair, thinking of anything else my girls might need.

“There’s stuff for dinner in the fridge. I was going to do tacos but use whatever you want.”

Sydney holds her hands up. “Nate, I’ll be fine.”

I grab the keys to the bike, because the thick tires are better in the snow. In my backpack I stuff the chocolates, and as I stuff the roses in, the petals come off.

“Shit.” I’m fucking this up already, and I haven’t even got there. Broken flowers aren’t going to cut it .

I couldn’t get Freya any books, but there’s something else she loves. I grab the last things I need and head out the door.

“Go get her!” Sydney calls after me.