“She’s amazing.”
“I’ll take your coat for you,” Barrett offered, and Mom’s brows rose.
“Why thank you, Barrett,” she said, turning her back to him as he helped her out of her jacket.
I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously, to which he gave me an incredulous look. “What? I can be a gentleman.”
When you want something.
“Merry Christmas!” Kat called out from down the hall.
“Kat!” Mom exclaimed, hurrying to hug her. “Merry Christmas, hun.”
“Barrett, could ye go gather some firewood fer me?” Ethel called out.
“On it!” Barrett called out as he slid past Mom and Kat to head for the kitchen.
I caught sight of Dad eyeing the hallway skeptically. It wasn’t as if it was the first time he’d been here, but dread curled in my stomach at the look in his eyes.
“Come on; everyone’s in the kitchen,” I said, starting down the hallway. “Mitera’smade some snacks for us to enjoy. Would you guys like a drink?”
“Something warm if you have it, please,” Mom said, rubbing her hands together.
They followed me into the kitchen where Ethel was still working to prepare dinner, the scent of roasted turkey and spiced apples filled the room. The aroma dragged a hum of excitement from Dad, and it was a relief to see him warm up to something.
“Oh it smells wonderful in here,” Mom said.
Damien lifted his gaze, and he smiled as we neared the island. “Hot cider anyone?”
“Oh that would be lovely,” she said as she stepped toward Damien and gave him a hug. “I hope you’ve been well.”
“Busy but can’t complain.” He ladled some of the steaming drink into a glass for her, dropped a stick of cinnamon and slivers of fruit on the top, and slid it over to her. She thanked him before taking a sip, and I stopped at his side, pressing a kiss to his cheek as he handed me mine.
“Wow, this is so good,” Mom said, and Dad came to a stop at her side before she offered it for him to try.
“Been workin’ on it all mornin’,” Ethel said, glancing back from where she, Anna, and Thalia were peeling potatoes.
“Would you like one, Mr. Hites?” Damien offered.
He looked at him for a moment, and I feared he might turn him down, but he nodded. “Sure.”
Damien began preparing his drink, and I snuck over to Ethel to peer over her shoulder, finding a blend of purples, oranges, reds, and whites laid out on the sheet pan of vegetables. “Are those the carrots we harvested from Anna’s garden?”
Anna smiled warmly. “They are.”
“They’re gonnae taste delicious,” Ethel said as she finished peeling her potato.
I pressed a kiss to Ethel’s cheek, and she chuckled. “Everything you make is delicious.”
“Comin’ through!” Barrett called as he backed into the door, arms loaded down with logs.
“Need help?” Dad asked, and I blinked before sliding a nervous glance at Damien, who looked equally nervous.
“Sure,” Barrett said, and Dad followed him into the living room.
I hurried over to Mom’s side, leaning in to whisper, “Is Dad okay?”
She let out a breath, setting her glass on the countertop. “He’s been a bit moody the past couple of days. Stress at work has him on edge, and he’s been worried about you.”
