“No! I’ll be fine.”
When I step outside, I am surprised to see the light snowfall has turned into thick flurries, the snow raining down hard and fast. Wrapping my jacket tighter around my torso, I run to the car to grab the presents, nearly tripping over my boots, then hurry back inside.
Snowflakes cling to my jacket and hair, and my teeth chatter from the cold.
“It’s getting pretty ugly out there!” I say to Tina as she emerges from the kitchen.
“The snow has been very unpredictable these last couple days! But I was just looking at the weather app, and it’s supposed to stop shortly, and be clear for the rest of the evening.”
“Good to know.” I shrug off my jacket, and hang it on the coatrack.
“Interested in a round of rummy?” Tina asks with a quirk of her brow, handing me my eggnog.
“Absolutely!”
Looping her arm through mine, she leads me back to the living room and says, “I think we’re gonna get along just fine, dear.”
Chapter Eight
Ican’t remember the last time I laughed so much. Lincoln’s family is amazing, and I’ve had the best afternoon getting to know them. Between helping his mom in the kitchen, and her insisting that we sit in front of the fire and watch a Christmas movie while stringing popcorn garland, it almost feels like home.
“Are you ready?” Lincoln asks with a coy smile. Winding his arm back, he lets a piece of popcorn launch, and I try to catch it in my mouth, failing miserably as it tumbles down my shirt instead.
Laughing, I pick up one of my own. “That was a terrible shot, let me show you how it’s done.”
The popcorn goes flying as a warm feeling embeds in my heart.
Picking up another cranberry, I string it onto my garland strand, continuing the pattern that I’ve been working on.
“You seem like an old garland pro,” Tim comments, watching me as he strings his popcorn on his own strand.
With a smile, I tell him, “This isn’t my first rodeo.”
“Old family tradition?”
“Something like that.” Wanting to change the subject, I ask, “What about you guys? What other family traditions do you have for Christmas?”
“When Lincoln was little,” his mom interjects, “we used to make hot cocoa and drive around to look at lights every Christmas Eve. Now that he is grown, our Christmas Eves look a lot like this, which is just fine by me.”
“It’s been a great day, thank you so much again for having me.”
“Oh darling, the pleasure is ours! When Lincoln told us he was bringing someone home to meet us, we were thrilled. Even though he warned us that it is very new, we are so grateful just to meet you.”
A wave of guilt washes into me, and I look over at Lincoln for reassurance. He offers me a tight smile, the guilt clearly wearing on him, too.
Changing the subject, he says, “Mom, dinner smells delicious. How much longer do you think we have?”
“Oh! I think it’s probably all set to go now. Why don’t we get it set up?”
“Let me help!” Pushing to my feet, I abandon my popcorn garland and follow Tina into the kitchen.
Handing me a pair of oven mitts and a stack of potholders, she tasks me to lay them out on the kitchen table, then grab the casserole dishes. Christmas Eve dinner is all the traditional holiday foods and everything smells divine.
One by one, we arrange candied yams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, corn, turkey, and cranberry sauce onto the rustic dining room table. It’s a feast for an army, not a family of three and a guest.
“I hope your pants are stretchy.” Tim chuckles, walking into the dining room. He pats his stomach for good measure.
“Wow, Mom, this is way too much food, as usual. Anything I can grab to help?” Lincoln asks, following his dad.
