Two weeks after that night at the Salty Dog, everyone in Harmony Harbor knew Sophie DiRossi was Liam’s girl. Including their daughter. Liam let Mia sound the siren as he stopped the engine in front of Greystone. Sophie stood in the open doors to the manor in a red dress with a welcoming smile on her gorgeous face. He’d seen her standing along the Christmas parade route with Kitty, Ava, and Dana before they’d hurried back to get ready for the onslaught. After seven years, at Sophie’s instigation, Greystone was reviving its long-standing tradition and opening its doors to the people in town. There’d be hot chocolate and cookies and a visit from Santa. Fergus had been about as thrilled as Liam to learn about the event. In the end, Mia’s and Sophie’s enthusiasm won Liam over. Fergus, who’d been assigned the role of Santa, not so much.
“Okay, guys, we better get in there before Sophie freezes to death. Leave the helmets and jackets on the seats.” As Marco helped Mia and Amanda out of their gear, Brie’s nephew Zach stared longingly at the siren. “Okay, buddy, give it a go,” Liam told the little boy, laughing when Sophie stepped inside the manor with her hands over her ears and closed the door.
He jumped out of the rig to help the kids down. “Did you have fun, sweetheart?” He didn’t have to ask. Mia had been grinning from ear to ear the entire parade route. But Liam was getting frustrated with her unwillingness to talk and had been trying to get her to speak.
She gave him an enthusiastic nod and mouthed, Yes.
“Sorry, couldn’t make it out. How about telling me with words?”
She gave him a look, pressed her lips together, and reached for Amanda’s hand. The two little girls set off for the manor.
“It’s scary how much she looks like her mother sometimes. In case you didn’t get it, she just flipped you off with her eyes,” Marco said.
“I got it, all right, and I’ve been getting it for the past week. She’s been playing Sophie and me off each other too.”
Marco slung his arm over Liam’s shoulders. “Still find it hard to believe my baby sis is a mom and that you’re a dad. It seems so…grown up.”
Liam understood what his best friend meant. Every once in a while, it hit him how much his life had changed the past month. It was nothing like he’d envisioned. It was so much better, he thought as Sophie ushered Mia, Amanda, and Zach inside and her eyes met his.
“Hey, beautiful,” Liam walked up to her, kissing her temple. “I missed you.” He dropped by whenever he had the chance, but he was just coming off a four-day rotation. Which meant he’d been sleeping at the firehouse when he’d rather be sleeping with her. They had some catching up to do, and he planned to do it tonight.
“I missed you, too, handsome.” She kissed him on the jaw.
“Seriously? I don’t think I can be friends with you anymore.” Marco looked down at Mia. “You have to put up with these two making goo-goo eyes at each other all the time, cara?”
Mia gave her uncle a woe-is-me look and nodded.
“I feel for you, kid. I really do.” He took her hand. “Come on, I’ll get you a hot chocolate. You too,” Marco said to Amanda and Zach.
“Just when I’m tempted to whack him, he does something sweet. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s really good with Mia.”
“Hate to break it to you, babe, but your brother isn’t doing it out of the goodness of his heart. In his mind, the kids are chick magnets.”
She raised an eyebrow. “From what I saw and heard at the parade, all you guys at HHFD are chick magnets.”
“It’s the uniform. Speaking of which, I’m going to get out of my gear.”
“I was kind of hoping you’d stay in it.”
“I’ll wear it for you later when we’re alone,” he said with a wink. “Did you leave my stuff in the study?”
“Yes, but your dad and Kitty are in there getting Fergus ready. I’m serious about you staying in uniform. I was hoping you’d man the raffle table and charm all the ladies into buying tickets.”
“You’re joking.” He sighed when she fluttered her eyelashes at him. “You’re serious. You’re lucky I love you. Tell me where you want me.”
She gave him a wicked grin.
“Don’t tease me,” he said, taking her by the hand. “I know you too well. I won’t get five minutes alone with you until this thing is over.” It was true. Sophie had an incredible work ethic. In the short time she’d been at Greystone, she’d made huge changes to the manor. All for the better. He was beginning to believe what everyone else did, that she could turn Greystone around. She’d already booked five weddings and two conferences for the new year. Over the past couple of weeks, people had been stopping him on the street to tell him to pass on their messages of support to Kitty and Sophie. The town’s economy had taken a lot of hits over the past several years, and they saw Greystone’s survival as a sign of hope for the future. Liam figured it was about time he got on board and let his daughter’s mother know he was not only Team Sophie but he was Team Greystone too.
“I’ll make it up to you tonight,” she promised as she led him across the lobby that had been decked out for the holidays. Beside the roaring fire in the stone fireplace stood a sixteen-foot tree decorated in multicolored Christmas lights. A red velvet wingback chair sat in front of the tree waiting for Santa.
“Something to think about while I’m twiddling my thumbs in the corner.”
“You won’t sell many tickets with that attitude.”
“I didn’t think you had that many left. Grams said sales have been great.”
“That was before we got the estimate for the new generator and an estimate from the plumber you recommended. Anything extra will help.”
“Right. Forgot about that. I’ll go over the plumber’s estimate and see if I can save you on labor. I can work with him on my days off,” he said as they walked past the staircase with gold pots of poinsettias lining either side of the red runner to the table set up beside it.
“I was wondering how you’d feel about me contributing some of the money you gave me for Mia.” He looked at her, and she winced. “I guess that’s a no. I probably shouldn’t have asked. It’s just that Greystone is Mia’s legacy too.”
He pulled out the chair behind the table. “It’s not a no. But how about we save this conversation for tonight, okay?”
She nodded, looking relieved. “Are we staying at the apartment or at your dad’s place?”
They’d been basically living together since the night at the Salty Dog. “Dad’s not working tonight, so we’ll be staying at the apartment.” He opened the cash box and leafed through the tickets. “How many do you want me to sell?”
“Twenty would be great.”
“Okay, I’ll see what I can…” He noted the Widow’s Club walking his way. They wore long red dresses, white fur shawls, and wide-brimmed bonnets. “Ah, Soph, why are your grandmother and the members of the Widow’s Club dressed like that?”
“They’re our entertainment. They’re singing carols.”
“Where are they…Hi, Mrs. DiRossi, Maggie, Mrs. Fitzgerald.” When he’d finally finished saying hello to all the women who were currently taking their places on the stairs, he looked at Sophie. “I’m moving the table.”
“You can’t. It’ll be great for business.”
It was good for business, but hell on his ears. The owner of Books and Beans approached his table. She was dressed as an elf and had been helping Fergus with the kids. “Hey, Julia. How’s Santa doing? Has he made any kids cry yet?”
She grinned. “Only two.” She looked over at the Widow’s Club, who were singing “God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen.” “They’re very—”
“Bad, and loud.”
“I was going to say enthusiastic.”
“That’s ’cause you’re nicer than me. Can I interest you in a couple of tickets?” He’d sold fifteen so far. He was hitting up the carolers when they took a break. He figured they owed him.
“I’ll take twenty-five,” she said just as the Widow’s Club started singing “Jingle Bells” and shaking bells.
He put two fingers behind his ear. “Sorry, I don’t think I heard you right,” he yelled, and got shushed by Rosa.
Julia blushed and pulled a check from the pocket of her red apron. “Twenty-five tickets, please.”
Liam looked from the check for twenty-five hundred dollars to the woman in front of him. “You sure?”
She nodded. “It’s for a good cause.”
“Okay, great.” He was so getting lucky tonight. He handed Julia a pen, and she got started filling out the tickets. She’d just finished signing the last one when a cold blast of air blew them off the table.
Liam frowned, wondering where the draft had come from. “Someone must have left the doors open. I’ve got them.” He moved around the table to help her pick them off the floor. Simon padded over and pawed at the tickets, leaving muddy prints on a couple of them. Liam nudged the cat aside to pick them up. “Do you want new ones?”
“No, that’s fine.” Julia glanced over her shoulder. “This elf better get back to work. There’s a line.”
He tore off the stubs from her tickets. “Here you go. Thanks for your support. Good luck.” As Julia headed off to help Santa, Liam spotted Mia in line. She was giggling and waving. At first he thought it was at him, but when he waved back, she looked like she’d just noticed him sitting there. He had to admit, like her still not talking, it worried him. But he wasn’t sure how Sophie would react to him suggesting Mia see a therapist.
Liam sold the last ticket just as Mia was about to sit on Fergus’s knee. He hurried his customer along so he could get over there in time to take a picture. Sophie joined him. “She wouldn’t let me help her with her list. Kitty and Jasper have been working on it with her.”
“I’ll get it from Fergus,” he said, watching his father’s best friend with his daughter. Mia shyly nodded at something Fergus said and handed him her letter. It made Liam think of all the Christmases he’d missed. Sophie had shared enough about her years in LA that he knew the holidays had been especially tough for her. Struggling to get by, she’d scrimped and saved to make Christmas special for their daughter. As his eyes welled with emotion, he looked up at the ceiling and vowed to make this a Christmas they’d never forget.
“Are the beams as dusty as I think they are?” Sophie asked, her voice husky.
“Yeah, I’ll need an extension ladder to get to them.”
“I’m not sure it will reach, son,” his father said from where he stood on the other side of Sophie, looking at the ceiling, his voice gruff.
“Perhaps a pole would help, Master Liam,” Jasper’s equally gruff voice came from behind them.
Liam smiled, wondering what the people filling up the manor thought of the four of them staring up at the ceiling. In that moment, he realized how much he’d missed his family. How much he’d missed out on by staying away from Harmony Harbor.
Liam tightened his grip on Miller’s leash and jogged around the pond before heading into the woods. The light from his flashlight bounced along the path to Mistletoe Cottage. If GG was here, she’d tell him he’d made a hash of it. And she’d be right.
As soon as the Christmas party at the manor had ended a couple hours ago, he’d brought Mia and Sophie to Mistletoe Cottage. He’d thought his daughter would be thrilled at the prospect of staying there for the weekend. She was until he had to explain that no, they weren’t moving in as she seemed to think. Then he’d made it worse by adding that it would be their last chance to spend time there because of the raffle.
He’d gone home to pick up Miller in hopes he’d bail Liam out. If anyone could smooth things over with his daughter, it would be the loveable retriever, who had a way with women. Until Mia and Sophie, Liam used to think he did too.
Something ran across the dark path ahead of them and cut through the woods. It was black and bigger than a rat. Miller took off, ripping the leash from Liam’s hand. “Miller!” he yelled, panicked. All he needed to do now was lose the dog. He chased after Miller, calling out to him as he ran. Up ahead he heard Miller yelping, and then he came running back to Liam with his tail between his legs. Liam knelt on the snow-covered ground to check over the trembling dog. “Something gave you a fright, didn’t it, boy? You’re okay.” He gave the retriever a rubdown before rising to his feet.
A few minutes later, they reached the stone cottage in the woods. Colored lights from the Christmas tree twinkled in the front window, the welcoming smell of wood smoke in the air. Liam had barely gotten the front door open when Miller bounded past him, galloping up the stairs. It was like he had Mia radar.
Sophie’s eyes went wide when she saw the dog. He hadn’t told her he was going to get Miller, just that he had a plan to cheer up their daughter. “Liam—”
She didn’t get anything else out because Miller had jumped into bed with Mia. Liam heard a hiss, and then Simon was flying at Miller. The dog yapped, batting at the cat with their daughter lying in the middle of the fight. Liam launched himself across the room and onto the bed. “Miller, down,” he said, shielding his daughter with his body. He pushed on Miller’s chest at the same time he raised his arm to block Simon’s flying leap. Both the dog and cat fell off the bed. Mia looked at Liam and started to cry.
“I didn’t mean to hurt—” As Liam attempted to defend himself, both the cat and dog made dramatic whining sounds from the floor. Mia sobbed harder, and Liam got to his feet. He’d messed up again.
Sophie rushed over to the bed and took Mia into her arms. “It’s okay, baby. Daddy was just protecting you. Miller and Simon are”—she craned her neck to look over the side of the bed—“um, they’ll be fine.” Both animals looked up at Liam and gave themselves a shake then jumped back onto the bed. “All right, you two, if you want to be with Mia, you have to learn to share her,” Sophie said sternly, looking from Simon to Miller then asked Mia, “Do you want them to stay?”
She gave her mother a watery smile and nodded. When the animals lay on either side of her, Mia put an arm around each of their necks. Sophie tucked the covers under Mia’s chin and gave the animals another stern look, wagging her finger at them. “Behave, or you’re out of here.” Miller whined, and Simon gave what could only be described as a haughty twitch of his ears.
Sophie turned off the light and followed Liam out of the room. He glanced at her as she closed the door. “Looks like I can’t do anything right tonight.”
“Don’t say—” She broke off with a smile and nodded behind him. He turned. Mia, wearing her Frozen nightgown, was standing in the doorway. She crooked her finger at him. He went down on one knee, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a butterfly kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart,” he said, stroking her hair. “I’m sorry I made you sad. I thought staying here for the weekend would be fun. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay? I checked out the pond. We’ll go skating.”
She rewarded him with a wide smile, nodded, and went back to her bed. Neither Miller nor Simon yelped or hissed when she climbed over them to get under the covers. They settled in beside her.
“How did Simon get here?” Liam asked as they headed downstairs.
“I have no idea. Not long before you arrived with Miller, I heard scratching at the bedroom window.”
Liam had a fairly good idea who’d darted past them on the path now. “Poor Miller, I think Simon terrified him.”
Sophie laughed. “Miller outweighs him by a hundred pounds.”
“I outweigh Mia by at least a hundred and fifty pounds, and she terrifies me.”
“She does not.” Sophie joined him on the couch in front of the fire. “You’re wonderful with her, and she adores you. Stop beating yourself up over tonight. It was a sweet gesture. She’s just weirdly attached to this place. It doesn’t help that she’s convinced she has a chance to win. Nonna isn’t helping matters. I explained to her about the rules, but every time we go over to her place, she insists on taking out the ticket and the two of them do another novena.”
“Do you think it would help if we started looking for a place of our own?”
“I don’t want you to rush into something just because—”
He lightly pressed a finger to her lips. “Stop. You know I want to be with you and Mia. Going back and forth between my dad’s place and the apartment might be confusing her. Once she feels more settled, maybe she’ll start talking…and, ah, stop waving and smiling at imaginary people.”
She stiffened. “It’s not uncommon for children to have imaginary friends, Liam.”
“Yeah, I know that, babe. But you have to admit...” He took in the defensive jut of her chin. He had to switch gears if he didn’t want to ruin his plans for the night completely. “You know what? Why don’t we just forget about everything and enjoy our weekend together?”
She drew her feet up on the couch and snuggled against him, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Good idea. We won’t have a lot of time alone together once all the wedding craziness begins.”
He stroked her hair. “Bethany still driving you nuts?”
Sophie nodded. “She calls at least five times a day with something else she wants to change or add. It’s like talking to a wall. She won’t listen to reason. I actually had to call Michael yesterday and explain that it’s too late to make more changes. I felt kind of bad, but I didn’t know what else to do. I was afraid Dana was going to quit if I didn’t intervene. Michael sounded stressed.”
“No doubt. I don’t know why he…Probably should keep that to myself if I want to get lucky tonight.”
She lifted her arm and moved over him, sitting up to straddle him. “Oh, you’re getting lucky tonight, handsome,” she said with a smile, and undid the top two buttons of his shirt. She pressed her lips to the skin she revealed. “So, are you going to tell me how you charmed all those women out of their hard-earned dollars?”
“You keep moving around like that on my lap and kissing me, this conversation will be over before it starts.”
“Talking’s overrated,” she whispered in his ear, and added another torturous wiggle.
He wrapped an arm around her and rolled her beneath him. Covering her with his body, he gave her a long, passionate kiss before raising himself on his elbows to look down at her beautiful, flushed face. “I’ve got something else that I think will ensure I get really, really lucky tonight, and maybe first thing in the morning too.” He reached under the couch and pulled out the document he’d signed with Mr. Wilcox this afternoon, confirming his vote to keep Greystone and the estate in the family. He handed the paper to Sophie.
She frowned then took it from him to read. She slowly raised her eyes to his. “You’re on Team Greysto—” She couldn’t finish because she was crying. Liam rested his forehead on hers and groaned.
Liam sat on the jump seat across from Marco, feeling pretty good, all things considered. They’d just responded to a call; a Christmas tree had caught fire at the town hall. No one was injured, and apart from being unable to save the tree, there wasn’t any damage to the premises. For Liam, it also marked his third week on the job without a flashback.
“Hazel was a little testy considering we saved the town hall from burning down,” Marco said.
“Probably because her and Paige’s latest attempt to shut down Greystone failed.” Sophie had been fielding visits from health and safety inspectors for the past week. “Last I heard they’ve been reaching out to my cousins, so hopefully that’ll keep them busy, and Sophie won’t have to deal with anything other than the wedding party this week. They start arriving tomorrow.”
“I’ll be glad when this wedding is over. Rosa is practically living at the manor, so she’s hardly working at the deli. Our payroll doubled last month. And Ava and Sophie roped me into cooking for the wedding.”
“You and me both. Bethany, her mother, and Maura are already running your sister off her feet. She’ll probably sleep through Christmas.”
“Your cousin should—” Marco broke off when Liam held up a finger and answered his phone.
“Hey, Soph, we were just talking about—”
“D-Daddy.”
Hearing his daughter’s voice for the first time, Liam’s eyes welled up. It took some effort to be able to say, “Mia. Sweetheart, you don’t know how happy I am to hear you say my name—”
“Are you kidding me? She’s talking? Let me hear.” Marco reached across to hit speaker on Liam’s phone.
“Daddy, there’s a fire. I can’t wake Mommy up.”