When he got a quizzical look in reply, he added, “It’s what married couples do. They make decisions together about stuff that’s going to impact both their futures.”
One side of her mouth curled up. “Sounds like we’re going to need at least one pot of coffee. I’ll get busy.”
Chapter 37
Deck My Halls
Christmas Eve found Nevein her ugly sweater, lounging on the leather couch in front of the Hunnicutts’ massive stone fireplace. This was a big couch built for big men, and the cushions nearly swallowed her. At her feet lay Pearl and Chance, Noah and Hailey’s dog. Charlie had left his pups at home—one of them got a little too squeaky when she was with her pack of cousins.
Hailey, in an even uglier sweater than Neve’s, sauntered over and handed Neve a glass of red wine. “How’s the arm?”
“Hurts like a mother—oh hey, Marilyn. Come join us.” Marilyn’s sweater was the least ugly of all the Hunnicutt Christmas sweaters. Neve wagged her head between Reece’s mom and the empty seat beside her, inviting the woman to sit down.
Marilyn smiled tentatively. “You don’t mind if I jointhe girl talk?”
“You’d better!” Joy piped up from Neve’s other side. “You’ve got the best dirt on these boys, and we want to hear all of it.”
Marilyn covered her mouth, but a giggle managed to escape. “Oh, do I ever! Charlie was constantly pulling off his diaper, and Noah would forever try to pee on the dog.”
“Omigod!” Hailey shrieked. “Poor dog! And what did Reece get up to?”
Marilyn’s hand fluttered over her heart. “Nowthatboy was either the ringleader steering them into trouble, or he was pulling themoutof trouble. And when I would give him what-for, he would conjure the face of an angel that had me ready to putmyself on timeout.”
The women shared a round of laughter.
“Not so different from now,” Neve quipped. She knew that angelic look well. It was the same one he’d given her when he’d first pretended to know nothing about the money appearing in her account; the same one he’d given her a few days ago when he claimed he could do nothing to stop the funds transferring over; the same one he gave her when he claimed to not have a dirty thought on his mind—right before ripping off her clothes and showing hereverydirty thought on his mind.
Marilyn patted her knee. “You’ve got your hands full with that one.”
Don’t I know it!But Neve loved her hands full of Reece. And she was the best woman for the job.
Marilyn settled beside her and looked around at her daughters-in-law. “Youallhave your hands full. I did my best, so blame their father when they don’t come to heel.” More easy laughter bubbled over. “Seriously, I want you all to know how tickled Hugh and I are that our boys chose so wisely.” A huge smile lifted her cheeks. Plop a red cap on her head and add a pair of half-moon glasses, and she would pass for Mrs. Claus. Neve wanted to hug her.
“I just love this,” Marilyn continued, gushing. “I love having you girls here.” She reached for each woman’s hand and squeezed them in turn. Neve was pretty sure she saw tears shimmering in everyone’s eyes—even Joy’s. She could feel them stinging her own.
The men began drifting over from the bar, where they’d been sampling fancy bourbons. Hugh cracked a genuine smile. “We’d better join the ladies before they get a chance to compare our deficiencies.”
“Whatdeficiencies?” Hailey asked sweetly. “As far as I can tell, Hunnicutt men are the gold standard every other man should aspire to.”
With a smirk, Noah pointed a finger at his wife. “I’m going to remember that the next time you’re mad at me.” The room erupted in laughter and applause.
Charlie dropped his arm around Joy’s shoulders. “Finally, Mom’s not outnumbered.”
Neve cast her eyes to her ringless left hand as she wrestled with a bout of impostor syndrome. She loved being here among the Hunnicutt clan, but did she truly belong?
The idea of wearing the rings had felt weird, so they’d remained in the vault where they’d been locked up soon after the wild wedding night in Vegas. Other than her promise to pay Reece back, Neve hadn’t mentioned them again.
Now it felt weirdnotto wear a ring. Maybe it was time to put the big rock back on her ring finger and chase the impostor mindset away.
“Neve, are you going to wait to re-open the clinic until after your cast comes off?” Hugh prompted, pulling her from her whirlwind of thoughts. “I expect you’re limited in what you can do, and surgery has to be off the table for a while, right?”
She glanced up at Reece, whose hazel eyes shone with encouragement. “Well, actually, I plan to open after the New Year. I have a new techanda new part-time receptionist starting then, so I’ll be busy training them. There will be lots to do.”
Hailey blinked. “You’re kidding! Where did you find the talent?”
“They were working for Dr. Bunting. When that situation, ah, fell apart, they reached out and asked if they could come work for me.”
Reece lifted his old-fashioned glass, and ice made a pleasant clinking sound. “They kept hearing from Dr. Bunting’s clients how great the Fall River Vet Clinic was, so naturally, they wanted in.Somegood came out of that whole mess.”
