Free Mistletoe Wedding by Melissa McClone

beaten me from the time she was three. The kid is too smart.”
    The little girl gave Meg a really-mom look. “A person can never be too smart, Mommy.”
    “See.” Meg shook her head. The ends of her silky hair swayed, making him wonder if her hair was as soft as it looked. “I don’t stand a chance.”
    Brooklyn ran to her room. Dusty chased after her.
    “I’m not sure who has more energy tonight, her or the dog,” Ty said.
    “I’d say it’s a toss-up, but she’s going to start fading fast. Almost bedtime. A good thing, because I have work to do.”
    That was his cue to leave. Ty remained seated. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Tonight had been an unexpected, but fun break from hanging at the bunkhouse. Not that he didn’t like being with Zack, Dustin and Eli; Ty did, but different was good, too.
    He glanced around the cabin. Meg had added pillows and throws to the lodge pole furniture that came with the cabin. The bookcase next to the television was new, as was the leather trunk full of games and toys sitting under the front window covered with paper snowflakes. The small touches gave the place a homey feel. The bunkhouse wasn’t a total man cave, but this cabin was comfortable and not in a frilly, feminine way.
    “Looks like you’ve settled in nicely,” he said.
    “Getting there.” A satisfied smile graced her mouth. No lip-gloss or make-up that he could see. “The next thing we’ll add is a Christmas tree in front of the window. I love when the lights reflect against the glass.”
    Ty had never thought about the reflection when positioning a tree, but he liked that, too. “Go to Scott’s Tree Farm. You can cut down your own.”
    “That’s the place Nate recommended.”
    “He’s friends with Carson Scott.” Ty remembered thinking Brooklyn would enjoy the place, but he’d invited them to the stroll. No sense taking them to get a tree, too. He wouldn’t want Meg to think he was interested in her. “There’s more to do there than buying a Christmas tree, so make sure you have time to look around. And dress for snow. Like you’re going skiing.”
    “I will. Thanks for the heads-up,” she said. “I’m in no rush for a tree. The one in the lodge is enough for Brooklyn right now. Maybe we’ll go the weekend before the wedding. I don’t want to have to clean up a ton of dried needles after the twenty-fifth.”
    “Practical.”
    “Trying to save myself work. Goes with being a single mom.”
    “Or parent.” Being practical had saved Ty when he was raising Rachel. “I remember those days.”
    “I bet. Think how ready you’ll be when you have your own family.”
    He raised his hands in front of him, as if to ward off her words. “That’s not something I want. It’s fine for others like Rachel and Nate. Caitlin and Noah. Hell, even Zack and Charlie. Once was enough for me.”
    Ty waited for her to voice disappointment or condemnation or the list of reasons he should change his mind. That was what the women he dated did.
    “I can understand that,” Meg said.
    He drew back, surprised. “Really?”
    She nodded. “You gave up your youth to be a stand-in dad for your sister. Why would you want to do that again when you have time for yourself and everything you want?”
    Man, Meg was cool for getting that. “Exactly.”
    “I’m not looking to remarry anytime soon. I’m not interested in dating, but I’ve learned to never say never. Something you might keep in mind, in case you do meet the right girl someday and want to have a family.”
    He saw her point. “To be the right girl, she’d have to not want kids. No offense.”
    “None taken.” Meg sounded sincere. “I would love to have more kids someday, so Brooklyn could have a brother or sister. I worry she’s lonely. But I don’t want the other stuff that would entail.”
    “Other stuff?”
    “A guy. Relationship. Marriage.”
    “You don’t always need a guy. Science can work wonders these days.”
    “I’ve survived a