Henry and Annabelle were so captivated by Stuart Little that Evan ended up reading the first two chapters. Just as he was sliding the bookmark in place, he heard dishes clattering in the kitchen. “Come on,” he urged the twins, “it’s time for dinner.”
“Potatoes, yay!” shouted Annabelle.
The kids skipped down the hall, and Evan followed, noting how much time he had left before he needed to leave for work. He wanted to be with the children as much as he could, especially if they were going to decorate the tree. He hadn’t bothered to do anything in his apartment, but by the looks of the bags of decorations Kylee had hauled into the house after her errands, he suspected the Maxwell cottage would soon be awash in Christmas cheer.
The soup was so creamy and comforting, he was beyond impressed. “You’ve really found your niche,” he complimented Kylee.
“Oh, it’s easy,” she said with a flush. “Just potatoes and a few simple vegetables. Nothing to it, really.”
“What?” said Evan, pretending to be aghast. “No goat cheese or prosciutto or olives?”
She scrunched up her face, but it didn’t stop a grin. “Sometimes a simple dinner is the best meal, I’ve learned.”
“I’ll say.” Evan had a second helping. The soup would sit well for the night shift, and he already felt a burst of energy after his relaxing time with the twins.
“Who’s ready to decorate the tree?” called Kylee.
Evan scrambled to clear the table of dishes before she could start. She looked at him in surprise. “You go ahead,” he offered. “I’ll take care of these.”
“Thanks,” she said, then shifted her attention to the living room, where the children were dancing around the old cardboard box containing the tree. A few minutes later, holiday music echoed from a Bluetooth speaker, and the children began to sing along to “Jingle Bells.”
Evan was startled to realize one of the voices wasn’t coming from the speaker. Kylee could sing. The sound was crystal clear, with perfect pitch, and smooth as butter. Tenderness bloomed in his chest at her sweet timbre, and he quickly wiped his hands on a dish towel and tiptoed into the room.
Henry and Annabelle were jabbing branches into brackets on a green pole while Kylee patiently helped them find the correct slots.
“You’re good at this,” he said, impressed.
“It’s just a big puzzle.” She grinned at him. Flickering electric candles they’d found in Mia’s Christmas decoration totes reflected from the mirror over the fireplace mantel. They made her eyes look golden and soft.
He looked away, deciding to focus on the tree-trimming project. “Any critters in the box?”
“No, sir.”
“I checked for her,” Henry informed him with pride.
Evan smirked at Kylee, but she shrugged. “I told you, I don’t do critters, and he was happy to help.”
“Good job, Henry. You are a brave boy,” Evan said.
“And I’m a brave girl,” Annabelle chimed in.
Evan picked her up and held her on his hip. “You are one of the bravest girls I know.”
“One of the few to climb the General’s Tree,” joked Kylee.
Evan laughed, set down Annabelle and dragged the container of ornaments over to the tree. He popped it open tentatively, stopped in surprise, then pretended to look concerned.
Kylee froze. “What is it?”
“Oh, nothing to worry about. You just finish putting up the tree.” He could have sworn she paled.
“No, seriously. What is it?”
“I want to see!” Annabelle ran over and jerked the box open. Her father’s old coonskin hat fell out along with two ball caps.
Kylee let out a scream that split his ears, and Evan put a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing as he held up the other to calm her down. He was too late. The fur hat went one direction, and Kylee went the other, scrambling like a running back and sprinting away for her life. Annabelle put the hat on her head and began to dance around, but Kylee was already down the hall and inside Mia’s room with the door slammed shut.
“What’s wrong with her?” asked Henry in concern.
Evan couldn’t stop laughing. Soon Henry and Annabelle began to giggle, too. In between gasps for air, he heard Kylee calling and finally managed to make his way down the hall but not without taking the coonskin from Annabelle first. He put a finger to his lips at her protest, and the three of them tiptoed to Mia’s bedroom.
Evan put the hat behind his back and rapped on the door. “It’s okay. You can come out now.”
“Did you get it?” Kylee’s voice was shrill through the door.
“I did.”
The door cracked open, and she peeked out. “What was that? Are the twins okay?”
“Yes, they are.” Evan sighed and tried to stay serious. “Because of me. I caught this!” He whipped the hat out and dangled it in the air, and Kylee shrieked and slammed the door shut again.
Evan and the children burst into hysterics.
“It’s just a hat, Aunt Kylee! It’s a hat!” sang Annabelle.
The bedroom door whipped back open. “What?” Kylee’s forehead was furrowed.
Still gasping for air, Evan waggled the hat, making the tail swing.
She swatted at it. “What is that?”
“Just Chip’s coonskin hat. You know, the one he bought at the Gateway Arch gift shop.”
“No, I did not know. That’s horrific!” she cried, but her cheeks started to pull into a smile. He chuckled again. “Oh! You!” scolded Kylee.
“We tricked you,” observed Henry with a grin.
Annabelle continued to sing, “It’s just a hat! You’re a scaredy-cat!”
“I am not,” grumbled Kylee. “I’m a T. rex, remember!”
Annabelle let out a falsetto scream and sprinted back to the living room.
Kylee rushed out the door to catch her but barreled straight into Evan instead. He caught her by the elbow and righted himself by wrapping his other arm around her waist. Kylee’s smile hovered on her face a few long seconds, and he leaned in and brushed a warm kiss across her lips. Lightning struck, but she pulled away even though she’d kissed him back.
Clearing his throat, Evan dropped his hands and followed her into the living room as if nothing had happened. As if they’d not just been in each other’s arms, staring right into each other’s eyes. He tossed his head to shake away what he’d done.
A few awkward minutes later, Kylee completed the top of the tree with the branch she’d dropped, while Annabelle started sifting through the ornaments. She picked out a handprint made of construction paper and held it up in the air. “This is mine,” she said solemnly.
Evan took a closer look. A small family picture of Mia, Chip and the twins had been snipped into a circle and glued onto the paper hand. “Is that your favorite ornament?” he asked, trying to tamp down his feelings while soothing any grief the children might experience seeing old pictures of their parents.
“Yes,” Annabelle decided.
Henry pulled out a glossy hand-painted reindeer. “Do they have reindeers in the stable with Joseph and Jesus?”
“No, champ,” said Evan. “Not that I know of.”
The little boy frowned. “Then I don’t want a reindeer.” He tossed the ornament back in the box and strolled over to the tree to watch Kylee unroll a string of new lights. “What are those?”
“They’re lights to make the tree sparkle.”
“Like the Christmas star?”
“Yes, like stars.” She glanced at Evan.
“The star told the shepherds where to go,” said Henry. “And the kings, too. And their camels.”
“Wow, you remember your lesson on the Nativity story, Henry,” said Kylee, impressed. “We’ll put one on the very top after we finish hanging the ornaments to remind us to look up when we’re lost.”
“Yes!” cheered Annabelle.
“And it will show us where to go.” Henry picked the reindeer up off the floor.
Evan looked at Kylee, and she faintly smiled when he caught her eye, but she held his gaze for so long that his heart started thumping again. He knew where he wanted to be, but did she feel the same way? In his heart, he knew she belonged in Lagrasse, and he wanted her to belong with him.
After the tree was finished, Kylee popped some popcorn, knowing it was better than giving the twins anything too sugary. Popcorn was also simple enough to make using the microwave, because her brain was stuck on loop of the kiss Evan had given her. And she’d returned it willingly as if she wasn’t leaving soon. It left her happy but confused.
Forcing herself to pretend it hadn’t happened, she marched the popcorn bowl into the living room. By the time the snack was devoured and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer read in Evan’s best voice, the children were hustled off to bed. Kylee suggested that Evan tuck them in, knowing their time together was drawing near to an end. More than likely, this would be his last Christmas season with them.
He would miss the children terribly, she thought with regret, as she cleaned the popcorn bowl and put it away. So would she. She couldn’t be selfish, especially not at Christmas. He should spend as much time as he wanted with them while they were still in Lagrasse, she decided. And she didn’t mind. They loved him, and she... Well, it was too bad that he and she were so different. Kylee dug around in the pantry for the broom. They had different ideas about what was best for the children, too. The kiss had been agreeable, too agreeable. Better to forget it.
With a sigh, Kylee checked the clock on the stove and padded into the living room with its glowing, soft white lights. The tree made everything feel cozy and relaxing. She sat on the couch, exhausted but content. Popcorn and potato soup, giggles and homemade Christmas ornaments. She could hardly wait to try making gingerbread houses. Oh, the joy of putting one’s own gingerbread walls together with frosting and a bounty of candy to decorate, or eat when no one was looking. Memories of building gingerbread houses with Mia came flooding back to her.
Evan tiptoed into the living room from the hallway. She watched him appraise the tree.
“Does it pass inspection?” Kylee teased.
“It may be several years old, but none of the wiring is bent or chewed. It passes.”
“And the lights are brand-new.”
“Yes. It was smart of you to do that. I do think I’ll miss seeing lights on the roof this year, though.” He glanced out the front window.
“Mia and Chip did that?” Lights on the roofline of the little cottage would be lovely. She sighed. “I think they’d be happy with the tree.”
“I think they’d be happy about a lot of things.” Evan eased down beside her on the sofa, and Kylee’s heart flickered. He smelled like soap and pine. She wanted to cuddle up beside his muscled arms and rest her head on his shoulder. Another kiss was a tempting idea. Instead, she trained her eyes on the tree. Her reaction was silly. Ridiculous. Schoolgirl stuff. But the butterflies in her stomach danced.
“You’re doing a great job with the kids,” he said, oblivious to her thoughts. He exhaled. “I owe you an apology.”
“No, you don’t,” she replied.
“Actually, I do. I wasn’t any different. I was trying to do everything by myself, too—keep an eye on your mom, watch the twins, take care of the house, do my job...”
Kylee realized how much Mia had had on her plate and was suddenly grateful for Chip. “I’ve told you before, you don’t have to apologize for what happened, Evan. No one blames you, so stop blaming yourself.”
He looked over at her, eyes glowing in lighting that shouldn’t have been so romantic. She resisted the urge to reach up and cup his jaw, and a shiver zigzagged down her spine in protest. They stared at one another for several long seconds.
“I should have known Mia would not have trusted her children around anyone less than worthy,” she said at last. “You’re a good person, Evan.”
“And the same goes for you.” He held out a hand, and she took it, but instead of shaking it, he wrapped his fingers around hers. “I hope you don’t mind a few visits now and then,” he warned. “I’ve always wanted to see New York.”
Kylee sat up, surprised at how her heart soared at his touch—and the idea. Her mind began to spin with possibilities, plans. She pushed them away. “I’m sorry about the kiss. We shouldn’t have.”
“No?” Evan interrupted.
She shook her head. “No, we just got carried away. Right?”
Evan pulled his hand from hers. “Right.” He exhaled. “Look, I was wondering if you’d put off taking the kids up to New York for just one more week.”
“That would mean leaving after Christmas,” she said, heaviness plopping onto her heart like a paperweight.
“Yes, I know,” Evan admitted. “The thing is, Henry and Annabelle played Mary and Joseph at Nativity practice.”
Kylee furrowed her brow. “Why?”
He sighed. “I told them the children would be gone by Christmas, but they did so well and were so cute. Kylee...” Evan turned sideways and curled a leg up onto the couch. “Annabelle took the role very seriously, and Henry, he was really sweet. He remembers his dad doing it last year. He remembers,” emphasized Evan.
The inflection stabbed her chest. Of course she didn’t want the twins to forget their time with their father. “I’m sorry, Evan, but I already have the plane tickets, and there’s the gingerbread house show.”
“Oh.”
Kylee was filled with disappointment when she could have sworn he inched away.
“They’ll love it,” she insisted, reminding herself she shouldn’t be kissing or hand-holding with the twins’ godfather. “Annabelle will be thrilled. Mia always wanted to go, and I did, too. I’d always planned—” Her throat caught. “I’d planned to take Mia someday. The twins will love it,” she reasserted. “They’ll have the best time. I’m sorry, Evan. We can’t stay for Christmas.” A small voice in the back of Kylee’s mind suggested she invite Evan, too, but he was going to care for the cottage until she decided what to do with it, and he had his shifts at the firehouse.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Kylee was sure he could hear her heart pounding, and for all the wrong reasons.
Evan got up suddenly from the couch. “Well, I guess that’s that then. I hope you don’t mind if I keep taking them to the practices until you leave, though.”
“I don’t.”
Evan stood there awkwardly for a moment, then announced, “I better get to work.”
“Did you want to take the leftover soup?”
“Yes, but I—no. You keep it. Annabelle loved it, and I’m sure she’d be happy to have it for lunch tomorrow.”
Kylee felt like something was wrong. If only he understood how important it was to give the twins a Christmas they wouldn’t forget so they didn’t dwell on their parents too much. He didn’t seem to appreciate all she was offering them. “Okay,” she said, regrets piling up like neglected files.
She got up and walked him to the door, and when she locked it behind him, her knees felt weak. It was a feeling that frightened her, more than a kiss, because she knew when she left town she’d never feel it again. Her heart wouldn’t jump when he walked into a room. Her shoulders wouldn’t relax at his soft, comforting voice. She wouldn’t have his advice, his listening ear or even be able to see his wacky sense of humor when he interacted with the children every day.
Kylee braced her heart. She needed to remember how important the holidays were for the children, too. Evan really loved the twins, she realized. Truly. She felt her throat tighten. How she felt about him couldn’t matter. She’d be fine without him in New York. She’d always been able to work things out on her own.
Kylee began packing things for the twins to take to their new home. Evan would see that the lawn was mowed. The house could be rented out and the money stashed away for maintenance and the twins’ futures. Mia’s room was sufficiently decluttered, and the kitchen was organized and cleaned out except for the cookbooks. Those Kylee would ship to New York. They were a part of her sister that she could hold on to forever.
Packing up the twins’ things kept her mind off the momentous task of raising them while balancing a demanding career. She tried not to think about working less overtime or how she would handle drop-off and pick them up at school each day. She certainly wouldn’t be the first one in the office anymore, and she wouldn’t be the last to leave, but she couldn’t imagine not making sure the kids saw her face each morning and evening. She didn’t want them to feel alone.
She knew what that was like. She’d make sure they knew they were loved. And she’d make certain Evan never had a reason to think she couldn’t get the job done.
Kylee cared what he thought, she realized, and she cared about him. A lot. Wouldn’t her little sister be delighted that they’d become friendly? A whisper of regret tugged at her heart, but she refused to let it bother her. With two little people added to her already busy life, she certainly didn’t need to wish for anything else—especially with someone who thought Lagrasse was the center of the universe. If she ever settled down and got married, it would be with someone who cared more about her than himself, loved the children and could cook... But Evan wasn’t for her. He’d be wonderful for someone someday. Just not her.
On Tuesday, Kylee wrapped presents in Mia’s room while the twins giggled during rest time, waiting impatiently for Evan to arrive so he could continue Stuart Little. Dinner was already warming in the slow cooker—a simple but elegant minestrone. She’d asked Evan to pick up a baguette at The Last Re-Torte to go with the soup.
When he knocked on the door, her heart flip-flopped with anticipation. She was getting too used to this—the cottage, the homemaking and the man who dropped by almost every day. Her life was in New York, not here in Lagrasse.
“Come in,” she called, and heard Evan’s key jiggle in the lock at her invitation. He burst in, shaking himself dry from a light sprinkling of rain that left glistening spots in his hair. His dark blue uniform shirt was speckled with water. He held up a bag. “I bought the bread.” He grinned. “And I didn’t take one bite out of it on the way here.”
“That was very thoughtful of you,” she joked. Taking the bag from him, she swung her gaze away when their eyes met. She shouldn’t be so happy to see him after the way he left Tuesday, when he’d asked her to let the twins stay in town until Christmas, but she was. She shouldn’t look forward to having dinner with him, but she did. And most concerning of all, she shouldn’t be hoping he would stay a few minutes after the children went to bed so they could talk. “Did you manage to get some sleep?” she asked him.
“I did. How’s the packing going?”
“All right.”
“And you’re sure you don’t mind if I take the children to the Nativity practice tomorrow? The annex was already reserved for tonight.”
She shook her head. “As long as they understand they won’t be there for the final performance.”
Evan bobbed his chin in a sharp nod. “I’ll make sure.”
Kylee didn’t miss the disappearance of his smile as he looked away. “It’s just a Nativity,” she said as she put the bread on the counter. “I can find one for them to see in New York.”
He leaned against the kitchen wall with his hands in his pockets. “The Nativity is our tradition. Chip and I worked on the sets together and included the kids when they came along. When Henry was an infant, they used him as a real baby Jesus.”
“That’s so sweet,” Kylee said. Then she took a deep breath. “I think it’s best that we leave before Christmas. I know moving in the middle of a holiday will be distracting, but I think it’ll keep their mind off of the fact that their parents aren’t here.”
“Would it be such a bad thing, for them to remember?” Evan looked quizzical.
Trying not to look at his firm arms folded across his chest, she turned to dig around in the sink for a dish to rinse. “I don’t want them to be sad.”
Evan remained silent as if he disagreed, or maybe he’d surrendered to the idea.
Kylee dropped her hands to her sides. “Evan, you do not have to do penance by seeing these kids every day and worrying about every little thing.”
“They’ve been a part of my life since they were born. It’s hard to think about life without them,” he admitted.
“You can call them whenever you like. Maybe read to them every night via video chat,” Kylee suggested.
His face lit up. “That’s a great idea!” He surprised her by throwing his arms around her waist and lifting her into the air. Then as if realizing what he’d done, he froze, and she slid down until her feet touched the floor, and they stood face-to-face.
The feeling of his heart beating against hers seemed to turn her legs into jelly. She couldn’t think, she couldn’t make herself pull away. It was breathtaking, electric and peaceful all at the same time.
Evan moved first, and Kylee broke contact, unable to look him in the eye, swiveling her attention back to the pots and pans in the sink. She cleared her throat. “Yes, that’s fine. I mean, it would comfort them and help them get adjusted to the change.”
“Right,” he agreed, his soft tone daring her to look at him and address what just occurred.
“Uncle Evan! Are you here yet?” Annabelle called from down the hall.
Evan remained still. Kylee could feel his gaze on her and wondered what he was thinking. She kept her eyes on the dishes in the sink.
“Guess I’ll go read to the kids now,” he said. “Thanks for letting me take them to practice tomorrow.”
“Sure.”
“You can come along if you want.”
She finally turned and met his stare. “No, thanks. I still have a lot of packing to do. And video meetings for work.”
“Suit yourself.”
He walked away, and Kylee’s eyes burned with unshed tears. She hated that Evan would miss Christmas with the twins. She hated that she would miss him, too. She took a deep breath and exhaled. But she had to make memories with her sister’s children, who were now her responsibility.