Free A Daddy for Christmas: Holiday Romance (Holiday Romance Collection Book 2) by Danielle Lee Zwissler

now only 39 days until Christmas, and Jacob had reminded them of that on the countdown ever since Megan and Brice got back from their trip to Brice’s Cabin.
    “You know, we are going to have to take him to get a real Christmas tree,” Brice said, quietly. Megan smiled as they walked hand in hand. Jacob was at her mom and dad’s place for the weekend.
    “He would love that. I would, too. But, why don’t we wait until we are past Thanksgiving before we start talking about that?”
    Brice grinned. “All I can think about is Christmas, that boy of yours is driving me crazy with his countdown.”
    Megan smiled again at Brice, and snuggled in closer. “I know. He is so excited.” Megan couldn’t help but think of Jacob’s Christmas list with just a picture of Jacob and Brice on it. She wanted to talk to Brice about it, but it was too soon, and Jacob had already said he wanted a dad a million times anyway.
    “A penny for your thoughts,” Brice said, as he looked down at Megan.
    Megan sighed. “I think I’ll keep this one to myself.”
    Brice stared at Megan for a moment before looking away. “Okay. So, I didn’t get to tell you last night, but I have to work on Thursday. I couldn’t get out of my shift. I tried to switch with Ted, but he had plans already with his family.”
    Megan frowned, and let go of Brice’s arm. “But it’s Jacob’s play.”
    Brice took a deep breath and then spoke, “Megs, you know I want to be there. I feel awful about it, but I’m the only one without a family, and, well, this is the holiday season.”
    “You had plenty of time to get the day off, Brice.”
    Brice couldn’t believe she was acting this way. Megan turned and headed back toward her house. “What are you doing?”
    “Going home. I have to figure out what I’m going to tell my son.”
    Brice sighed irritably. “You are kidding me, right?”
    Megan turned around, her eyes were wet. “No, I’m not kidding, Brice! He was really looking forward to you being there!”
    “I know.”
    “Well then, why aren’t you?”
    “Why are you shouting at me? I told you, I couldn’t get off work. I don’t have a family, Megs. Everyone there has a family.”
    “What the hell does that mean?” Megan seethed. Brice flinched.
    “Honey, you know what we are together, but it’s not on paper yet, and the guys, well there’s seniority.”
    Megan’s heart thudded in her chest at what Brice had just said. She stopped. “I’m sorry I yelled.”
    Brice put his arms around her and squeezed. “You know I’d be there, if I could. I can tell Jacob. I should tell him.”
    “No, I’ll talk to him tonight. We just won’t see you there is all.”
    “Megan,” Brice said softly, bringing his hand up to her chin to tilt her face up to his. “You know I want to be there.”
    Megan nodded.
    ***
    Brice felt like shit. He did try to get off for the Thanksgiving play. Jacob was playing a major part, and it was all a big surprise that he’d been talking about for weeks. Brice felt himself looking forward to the night as well, but when he found out what day it was, he could have crawled into a hole. It was one of his doubles, and he didn’t say anything to Megan, but he had already taken off for her twice in the past three weeks because she had been getting panic attacks at work.
    Brice was sitting in his squad car at the corner of the Fifth and Vine when he saw the truck pull up. A few minutes later, a dressed up couple exited the vehicle with two boys in tow. Brice smiled at the one boy as he was hopping all around like he had ants in his pants, but when he looked at the other boy, his heart clenched. It was Jacob.
    What was Jacob doing?
    Then the man held his hand out and Megan took it, and followed him and the kids across the street to the Maple Diner.
     
    Brice could feel his palms sweat, he could feel the nerves in his body unwind, and he found himself out of the squad car, and leaning against the window to the diner for a better