Page 11 of Enduring Christmas

His little girl seemed to pause and think about it. Xenobia took the opportunity to address him.

"I'm not in the bull shopping market."

He gave a twisted smirk. "Then, hands off the beard, Sweets."

She drew back at the affront. Luke wanted a relationship, not to be toyed with. A single father could trifle with a woman in front of his daughter. He wanted Xenobia, but he needed the next woman in his life to be committed to a lifetime of loving him and his child.

"Not my new ice skates. Not my Frozen II Castle. Not my Barbie. Not my new coat. Not my Kindle. Not my-,"

"Wow," Xenobia said. "Santa is going to need a second sleigh just for your gifts."

"But that's what Christmas is about, Miss X-n-o-bia. Gifts."

"Oh no baby, Christmas is about the blessing of the Christ and spending time with people you love, knowing that having them in your life is the best gift of all."

Luke stilled, remembering when he believed the same.

"We learned about baby Jesus in a manager at church," Shiloh said, proud to add to the conversation.

"Manger," Luke said, gently correcting his daughter.

"That’s what I said, Daddy, Jesus's manager."

Xenobia grinned. Technically, Jesus and God were a management team of the highest order.

"Who's your gift?" Shiloh asked, her expression one of eager excitement.

Struck speechless, Xenobia looked to Luke. She thought Rook had been the blessing of the lifetime. And he had left her with more scars than she ever imagined. She was doomed to keep his memory alive yet bury his lie like she'd buried his body. Who had been a blessing to her life?

"I have a lot to be thankful for."

At her distress stopped storing the food and tiding the ingredients.

"Like what?"

"Pumpkin, let Miss Xenobia rest."

Why all of a sudden does she feel so overwhelmed trying to think about all the people that have been good to her. Had his husband's betrayal somehow obliterated all the wonderful people she'd met in Endurance? Having a spa day with Ivy, Kelby, and Autumn? Her friends in the Lady Guardians' motorcycle club? The joy she had working with the children back in Shell Cove.

"I'm thankful your father was at the lake. He was there when I needed him."

Unlike her husband. Who’d chosen to spend their third Christmas with his mistress.

That one decision had cost him his life. And in some ways, hers too.

"My daddy will always be there when you need him. Isn't that right, daddy?"

"Yeah, pumpkin," Luke said studying Xenobia with a crease between those thick brows. "I'll be here whenever you need me."

Shiloh chattered on about her gifts and pancakes, but Xenobia kept her eyes lock with Luke's. His words playing over and over in her head. Her husband had said the same thing. He'd even vowed it. And then, he'd slept with another woman and died with her panties still in his pocket.