The ability she had to see past all the smoke and layers of shit he had to erect to continue to be able to make his music always set him back, even as he appreciated that ability more than he could say.

“Never saw much need to pretend. I love making music. I’m lucky to be able to make it and that I continue to be able to make it. My success means a lot to me.” He paused to watch Miles for a bit. “Up until September it was pretty much the most important thing in my life. I have other priorities now. But music is still one of them.”

She didn’t speak, but he knew she listened.

“I’m glad he suggested Seattle. He normally works out of three cities, Portland being the closest, and I wasn’t sure how it would be to work in New Orleans while you and Miles were at home. Before September this just wouldn’t have entered my reality. But I can’t imagine not seeing you or Miles for months.”

“Good. I can’t imagine not seeing you for months either. In fact, I’m utterly sure I’d hate it.” She shrugged. “But I’m a realist and I know you’ll have to tour to support the record. So you will be away for months. We’ll get through it. Miles and I will be waiting when you get home.”

He couldn’t put into words just how happy it made him that she referenced a future with him in it.

“I can schedule it for when Miles is out of school and you can come with me. Erin has mentioned a possible willingness to go out on tour as well. Bringing along Todd, Ben and Alexander. It could work.”

She smiled, open and thrilled. He kissed her because there was nothing he wanted more than that.

“I take it you’re in for such a project? They have tour buses that are pretty nice. We can set you up a wireless workstation. Obviously you’d be unable to do piano lessons while away from home. But there are pianos in most venues so you could play regularly. Miles can have his own room. A bodyguard would travel with us. That’s part of all my tour contracts and it’s nonnegotiable.”

“Stop being so gruff with me. I already agreed.” She stood and jumped into the water. “Come on in. Play for a while with me and your boy.”

18

Adrian watched Miles as he struggled to stay up on his snowboard and then managed to do it after wiping out several times.

Gillian wisely kept quiet until he reached where they’d been waiting for him, and then she threw her arms around their son and gave him a kiss on the cheeks. “You did awesome!”

Miles’s grin was infectious as he looked to Adrian. “Yeah?”

“Totally. I can’t believe yesterday was the first time you’ve ever been snowboarding and you’re already kicking ass.”

Gillian elbowed him in the ribs.

“Er, butt.”

Gillian had never been snowboarding either. She had picked it up a lot faster than Adrian had assumed she would.

Elise, Brody and Rennie had all decided to ski while Erin stayed back at the house with Alexander, Ella and Martine. Ben stayed back with her, and Todd was out on the slopes for a while before they all went back for lunch.

It wasn’t just Christmas but also Brody and Elise’s first wedding anniversary. Adrian loved that they were all together and that Miles and Gillian could be there as well. It was his favorite present so far. Well, actually, his second favorite, as Gillian gave him a scarf and hat she’d knitted herself. He wore them both right then and planned to as often as the weather permitted.

She’d made something for him with her own hands. Which was better than anything else he could have wished for. Of course she’d also given him a huge box of yellow lined writing pads. The ones he always used for song-writing. Several boxes of the pens he preferred, blank CDs and new strings too. Everything he needed all the time, but he usually had to get himself.

Of course she appeared befuddled with how much he liked it. But she seemed to be easing a little on other things. She’d accepted, quite happily, the new parka he’d given her, and currently wore the earrings he’d put on her pillow that morning when she’d been in the shower.

Spoiling her was his new favorite activity outside hanging with Miles.

“Let’s go on another run and then we’ll head back to the house.” Todd boarded up to where they all stood. “Erin just sent a picture. Everyone is having a great time. Ella sends her love. Cope brought in more wood, she says.”

“I’ll head back now, if you don’t mind. My eyes hurt from the glare and I’m too old for this.” Gillian grinned and reached out to squeeze Miles’s hand.

“We can all go back.” Adrian didn’t want to watch her go.

“That would be silly. Erin is fine. Ella and Cope are there with her. Miles is getting the hang of this now. Go on and have another run with Todd. I’ll see you boys later.” She kissed Adrian quickly.

Todd tossed her a set of keys. “Take my car back. I’ll ride with Adrian and Miles.”

She nodded her thanks and Adrian watched her go, holding her board, looking more beautiful than any woman had a right to be.

“Don’t worry, she had a good time,” Miles said as they got back into the gondola to head up for a last run.

“You think? Also, am I that obvious?”

Todd’s guffaw told him he was indeed obvious.

“It’s obvious you want her to be happy.” Miles shrugged. “Shouldn’t you? Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”

He put an arm around his son. “Indeed it is.”