Small Town Christmas (Blue Harbor #4) - Olivia Miles Page 0,49

keep her happy this holiday. Being a single parent is challenging.”

Cora nodded. “My dad struggled after my mother died. He never complained, and he tried not to show it, but I know it couldn’t have been easy for him. Especially at the holidays.”

“Is that why you took over?” Phil asked.

Cora thought about this. “Partly. But it helped me to hold onto something, and, well, it helped my dad too, I’d like to think.” She gave a little smile. “It’s funny that all kids really want is to please their parents.” Even though her mother was gone, she still felt that way.

Phil gave a knowing look. “It doesn’t always come easy. At least, not for me.”

Cora tipped her head, letting him talk.

“My dad had high expectations of me. I’m afraid I still haven’t lived up to them yet,” he said with chagrin.

“But you have a successful job! A beautiful daughter.” Not to mention his other notable attributes, not that she’d be flattering him with those opinions just now. “One that is having the time of her life, in case you haven’t noticed. And it’s all thanks to you.”

“I wish I could take credit for it, but I don’t think I can.” He gave her a meaningful look until she was forced to look away. She could feel her earlier blush returning, damn it!

“Georgie mentioned that she usually spends Christmas with her mother,” Cora said, hoping that she wasn’t prying too much. Georgie spoke openly about her mother, and her life, but Phil was definitely more private about things.

Phil nodded, and then shrugged his shoulders. “It’s true. When my ex moved out to California, we had an agreement that we’d share the holidays. But the first holiday that was supposed to be mine, I had a business emergency that required me to be out of town. Couldn’t let the deal fall apart.” He paused for a moment, his mouth tensing. “Long story short, after more legal battles, Georgie has stayed with her mother for the majority of the time. I’ve been able to get out to California for a couple long weekends, and Georgie has flown out for a school break or a few days each summer, too.”

“That doesn’t sound like a lot of time,” Cora said, frowning.

Phil arched his eyebrows. “It’s not, and it hasn’t been easy. My work is demanding. It’s definitely been difficult to balance with a personal life. Having Georgie halfway across the country hasn’t made things any easier.”

Cora smiled. “Well, at least she’ll be closer now that her mother is moving back to the Midwest.”

Phil’s smile was tight. He didn’t say anything as he scooped more ice cream onto his spoon.

“Daddy?” Georgie appeared beside him, the evidence of a melted ice cream snowman on her mouth and chin. “I’m hungry.”

Phil slanted a glance at Cora, who tried not to giggle. “Hungry? You just ate a sundae.”

“Yes, but now I’m hungry for real food. Like, dinner.”

Phil’s entire expression went blank. “I was supposed to swing by the grocery store today.”

“For more of those microwavable meals?” Georgie cried, loud enough for more than one patron to hear and turn to stare.

Cora sputtered on her last spoonful of ice cream. Phil’s ears had gone red now.

“Well, for other things too. It’s Saturday night. There are places in town to eat. How does that sound?”

“I want to be near the Christmas tree,” Georgie said. “Before you know it, it has to come down.”

“Tell me about it. I still haven’t decorated mine yet.” She glanced at Phil, feeling her heart speed up.

Georgie looked at her with surprise. “I thought you didn’t have a tree?”

Cora shrugged. “Well, someone thought I needed one.”

“I can help!” Georgie exclaimed. “We can order pizza and help, right, Dad?”

Cora slid her eyes to Phil who was giving her a funny look. “I happen to know a thing or two about decorating trees, thanks to this Christmas lady I met,” he said. His smoky eyes glimmered. “And I do think you were the one who said that decorating a tree is something that should be shared, not done alone?”

Despite the ice cream, Cora felt as warm inside as if she’d just drank a mug full of hot chocolate. “Okay then!”

It was, as Phil might call it, a date.

*

With Phil’s assistance and Georgie’s advice, they selected ornaments from the store and carried them upstairs to the bare tree that was waiting in Cora’s front window. Phil made a call for the pizza while Cora and Georgie strung the lights, and