Addison sighed dreamily. “If only I was also a literary agent. I’d get you and James all the best deals.”
“He needs you more than I do. Tell Chloe we said hey, and after Christmas, we’ll figure out a time for you girls to visit. I miss our slumber parties.”
Addison and Chloe had visited Buckeye Falls countless times over the years. At first, Addison bristled at the small-town and slower pace, but the more they visited the more she fell for Buckeye Falls’ charms. Chloe was from a small town in Pennsylvania, so she relished the chance to slow down and smell the roses ... and eat at the diner.
“We might take you up on that. I’m craving some of that midwestern home cooking.”
James huffed as he walked past Alice. Leaning into the phone, he said, “You miss me cooking for you.”
“God, I do love that kitchen. I keep threatening to move in while you guys are on the road.”
Alice took the phone back, and said, “You have a standing invite. We love hosting you both.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Addison’s voice garbled as she got lower into the subway station. “I’m about to lose you, so I’ll let you go. Love you both. Merry Christmas!”
James and Alice said, “Merry Christmas, Addy!”
Alice disconnected and handed James his phone. “We really should get a time for them to visit on the calendar. It’s great being back here, but I miss our city friends.”
James tucked his phone in his pocket and nodded. Stepping near, he pulled Alice in for a hug. “Can you take a writing break? I was thinking of having a lazy afternoon. Just you, me, a pizza, and some cheesy Christmas movies.”
Alice squealed, pulling James down for a kiss and running her fingers through his hair. His inky locks felt like silk in her hands, and she wiggled closer. “Maybe we can take a brief detour to the bedroom on the way to the couch?”
James dipped, wrapped his arms under Alice, and hauled her in the air. “Wife, that is the best idea you’ve ever had.”
Just as they headed down the hall, a tangle of limbs, the doorbell rang. “Were you expecting anyone?” Alice asked between kisses, her hold still firm on James’s collar. Their tenth wedding anniversary was on the horizon, yet she still felt like a newlywed.
“The only person I expected to see is in my arms.” He winked, closing the distance for another kiss.
Alice swatted his chest and sighed. “Aww, babe. That’s really sweet.”
“I have my moments.”
The doorbell rang again, this time followed by a series of knocks and a muffled “We know you’re home. We see your cars.”
“It’s the kids,” James said, disentangling his wife from his torso. “I didn’t know they were coming.” The smile he flashed Alice melted her heart. He loved those kids and enjoyed hosting them as much as she did.
Alice straightened her shirt and followed James to the door. By the time he unlocked the deadbolt, Otis had pushed his way inside. “Hey, Uncle James.” James managed to snag a fist bump before the boy dove onto the couch, sending a pair of decorative pillows flying in the air. “You guys have lunch yet?”
Madeline followed her brother inside, carrying two tote bags and an eye roll. “Thanks for helping, O.”
Otis grunted as he found the remote and turned the TV on. “I was thinking maybe pizza?”
Alice snorted and closed the door, following Madeline into the kitchen where James was already pulling out cans of pop for the kids. “Are you sure he’s not my son? I’m pretty sure I did that routine with your parents.”
“Maybe it’s payback?” James teased, handing his wife a glass of wine. “Looks like I’ll order two pizzas.” He winked and headed to the living room. “Otis, you feeling pepperoni or sausage today?”
With the boys distracted with pizza toppings, Alice helped Maddie unload her bags. “What is all this?” she asked, holding up a bag of flour.
“Mom and Dad are busy with ...” Madeline huffed as she tossed a bag of chocolate chips on the counter. “Stuff, and I wanted to bake cookies.” She upturned the rest of the first bag on the counter, causing a bottle of vanilla extract to roll toward Alice.
Scooping up the bottle, Alice helped line up the baking supplies. Her niece was quiet, jaw tense as she carefully nudged a shaker of cinnamon in line. “You want to talk about it?” she asked, bumping Madeline gently in the ribs. “I happen to be a pro when it comes to family drama.”
“It’s not drama necessarily,” she hedged, “but they’re so busy getting Dad ready for his new job, plus all the holiday stuff.” Madeline sighed, a lot more heavily than a girl that age should have to.
Alice’s heart stopped. “Are things bad at home?”
Madeline shook her head so forcefully, her blonde ponytail hit her cheek. “No, nothing like that. It just doesn’t quite feel like Christmas, you know? We haven’t baked yet, and Grandma and Grandpa are still on their cruise.” She reached out and snatched Alice’s hand, squeezing it once before folding the tote bags into tidy squares. “I’m just glad you and Uncle James are back. I was starting to feel like Christmas wasn’t going to feel as festive.”
