“And heaven and nature sing…”
But did that mean I was softening? Letting Operation: Naughty List end too soon?
“And heaven and heaven and nature sing.”
A hundred or more voices blended in song, lilting toward the star-studded sky. Janie’s face lit with enthusiasm, her off-key rendition rising above the others in a near-shout. Even Mason sang with abandon. Olivia wrapped her arms around her kids, while Kat leaned into Dad’s side. Lydia rested her head on Ryan’s shoulder and closed her eyes, singing softly.
But Nick’s lips didn’t move as the song continued. I frowned. Maybe he needed this present, this truce. More than that, maybeIneeded it. He wouldn’t realize my giving it to him would be a gesture. An end to the war I’d waged this Christmas.
But I would know.
The question was—was I ready?
I brushed red and green confetti off my jacket sleeve. Ending Operation: Naughty List felt way too much like losing control. But honestly, what had I really accomplished other than annoying Nick with holiday shenanigans? Well, scaring him awake via a giant snowman—that one had been fun.
Letting my hurt and frustration fuel Operation: Naughty List had seemed like a good idea at the time, but I’d never realized how heavy revenge weighed. I was pretty sure there was a scripture about letting God have vengeance, and for good reason. I wasn’t built for this.
My heart slowly aligned with my head, and I knew.
It was time.
Of course, that meant I’d have to figure out for myself whatto do about Christmas after I let this grudge go. If Nick wasn’t on the receiving end of my crazy, there was no sense in pouring energy into fake-loving the holidays anymore.
But first things first.
The song ended and the crowd began to disperse, a sudden blur of colorful scarves and off-key whistles and squeaking strollers. Nick had finally snapped out of whatever trance held him captive, and he chatted with Ryan and Lydia. But his eyes weren’t quite the same as they’d been earlier in the evening.
The fact I could tell something had shifted in him was very, very unsettling. Did I already know him that well? But how could I know someone who wasn’t being real with me?
Not that I had been either.
Dad looped his arm around Mom’s shoulders and dropped a kiss on her head before looking at us kids. “I’m going to get her home, find something to eat besides this padded hot dog you all call dinner.”
“They had plain hot dogs too,” Axel offered.
Dad ignored him. “Who’s up for a Christmas movie?”
“Me!” Janie and Mason shouted at the same time. They immediately started yelling about jinxes and pokes and owing each other sodas. Olivia sighed and I grinned at her. That sugar rush was going to take a while to wear off.
“We’re down for a movie. Just going to check out a few more booths before we head to the house.” Ryan took Lydia’s hand. “Kat, you riding back with us?”
Kat wrinkled her nose as she wrapped her giant jacket tighter around her. “I’d rather not, lovebirds.”
Olivia held up her hand to stop further protest. “I’ll take her. What’s one more child?”
Kat stuck out her tongue. Olivia released a smug smile. “Case in point.”
I shot Nick a glance, but he was looking down at his phone. We’d ridden over with Ryan and Lydia, but everything in Nick’s body language screamed he was ready to get out of here now. Whatever had distracted him, he clearly wasn’t into more shopping. Maybe we could ride with Mom and Dad instead. But…“What about Chloe and Axel?”
Ryan pointed to our parents. “They’re with them.”
Chloe and Axel obediently stepped closer to Dad. Okay, so that wouldn’t work. Nick seemed to be realizing the same thing but was too polite to request anything different.
Why, again, was I trying to help this man? Just because I was ready to drop Operation: Naughty List didn’t mean I had to be his best friend. He’d still hurt me. I was just preparing myself to be the bigger person, that’s all.
“Ready when you are,” Chloe chirped at Dad with a smile.
“Yes, siree.” Axel tipped an imaginary hat. “Ready to mosey down the road at will.”
