While her 3-year-old usually wasn’t a fussy toddler, given the lack of sleep the night before and the God-awful snowy weather that day, Natalie couldn’t really blame her. Which explains why instead of holding her hand like she usually would, she’d been carrying her ever since picking her up from preschool.  With Emma’s little head resting against her shoulder, the blonde was about to open the door of Spruce’s shop when his kids ran out, nearly colliding with her.  “  Hi boys, “ Natalie said with an almost-giggle before she stepped inside, flashing a smile in the man’s direction.  “  where do you find your inspiration for that names I still can’t understand, “  she teased, dropping her bag on the chair.  “  I’ll get that one and one chocolate brownie for miss fuss over here, “ Â
Spruce rolled his eyes, but smiled. His boys were a headful each, but he loved them more than anything in the world and as tough as it was to raise them on his own since he and Michael divorced when they were babies, he wouldn’t change a day. “I wasn’t even making them work that hard, but they couldn’t wait to get out of here,” he said with a small laugh.  “You’ve got it,” he told her, plating up the order.  “After 13 years, it’s not easy, Oak actually came up with that one, not bad for an 11 year old, right?” He handed the plates over and pulled up the stool he kept behind the counter so they could catch up a little.  “How are things going? This little angel is giving you trouble? I can’t believe it.”
















