They sat on the sofa, wrapped up in each other until they fell asleep. James woke first, carefully carrying Alice to the bedroom and tucking her in beside him. As his eyes closed, he thanked his lucky stars for the millionth time that fate had brought Alice, and the crazy Snyder clan, into his life.
CHAPTER 8
The Eleventh Hour
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“That’s the last ofthem,” Beckett said with a sigh. He leaned back at the kitchen table, studying the stack of Christmas cards that were finally ready to mail. “I think they’ll only be a week late at this rate.”
Mallory groaned, swapping Maybelle to her other arm. “At least they should arrive before the New Year. And can people really blame us? We had a baby, for Pete’s sake.” She jostled the child in question, earning a giggle from the tiny redhead.
Beckett stood, collected the stack, and put them in a box. He leaned down and kissed both his girls on the forehead. “I’m going to go to the post office and mail these, otherwise we might as well wait for Maybelle’s graduation announcements.”
“Perish the thought. I’d never hear the end of it.” Mallory followed Beckett to the door, holding out his hat with her free hand. “Do you mind picking up the stuff to make your famous apple crisp? I know Max said all the food is covered, but I hate not bringing something.”
“You got it,” Beckett agreed, opening the door to a whoosh of cold December air. “Gosh, this feels like snow weather.” He sniffed the air and exhaled slowly. “Smells like it, too.”
Mallory giggled. “How can you tell?”
Beckett looked up to the gray sky and smiled. “Gram always said you could smell the snow, because the air is a little sweeter, a little heavier. She threatened to bottle the scent if she could, saying it would be more popular than our apple candles.”
Maybelle sneezed at the cold air, earning coos and kisses from her parents. “Enough snow talk,” Beckett said. “I better get going so I’m back in time for dinner. What time are Evan and CeCe coming over?”
“Five, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re early for a little Maybelle time.”
“Then I better hurry.” Beckett flashed her another smile, making Mallory weak in the knees. “Love you, Mal.” Kissing the top of his daughter’s head, he added, “Love you, too, little Belle.”
Mallory closed the door and settled the baby into her pack and play. “Please behave for Mommy for two seconds, okay?” Maybelle cocked her head and coughed, a sweet little sound that made Mallory sigh. “And you better not be getting another cold. We can’t get Auntie CeCe sick.”
Taking the moment alone, she got Maybelle set up with some toys and turned onWhite Christmasfor company. Beckett would be home before she knew it, and his gifts wouldn’t wrap themselves. Just as Mallory taped the last corner of wrapping paper on a new pair of work boots, the front door flew open.
Knowing Beckett would never make such an entrance, she scooped up Maybelle and shouted, “In here, Ev!”
Evan and CeCe shuffled into the living room, Evan’s hand pressed to CeCe’s lower back. “Have a seat, babe. Right here,” he said, not stepping back until she was on the couch.
CeCe rolled her eyes and kicked her feet, now unable to reach the ground. “I know where the couch is, Ev. Please save the babying for a month from now when the kiddos come.” Evan gritted his teeth, stifling a retort, as he fluffed pillows and rested them behind his wife. He shook open a blanket and draped it over her legs before stepping back and thrusting his hands on his hips, nodding when he felt she was protected.
