WHILEELLIE ANDASHERtook Nick, Colton, and Jacob out to the farm to show them around, Maisie suggested an impromptu couple’s shoot with Kyle and Nat. Maisie’s gaze might have lingered a little too long on Nick as he walked away with the others but no one would blame her; the man was a piece of art. Muscular but lean, tall with broad shoulders, and a confident stride in his step. Those broody eyes that kept finding her across the room.
She didn’t want to still be so attracted to him but she also didn’t want to love double fudge brownies the way she did. Some things were out of her control. She was just a mere human. But she could keep her distance so she didn’t get reeled back in; she could remind herself what it felt like to wake up and have him gone and find outafterhe was some sort of hockey superstar.
Kyle and Natalie came into the living room where she was standing next to a gorgeously full tree that towered over her, reaching upinto the high ceilings and surrounding her with the sweet scent of pine.
“Hey,” Natalie said, smoothing her hands over the length of her ivory-colored dress. It was flowy and whimsical but hugged her baby belly sweetly. “Is this outfit okay?”
Kyle wore jeans and a dark-green sweater that softened Natalie’s choices even more.
“You guys look great. Come over here by the tree first and then I want to do some on the staircase.”
The light from the tall windows and the festive vibe Ellie created with decorations were the perfect backdrop. Maisie got lost in capturing the love Kyle and Nat had for each other and for their unborn baby. Happiness for her sister and longing for a little piece of what these two shared twisted together as she took photo after photo.
She was deep in her happy zone when Natalie jumped up from the couch where she’d been nestled into the crook of Kyle’s arm, both of them looking at each other.
“Mom,” Natalie said, moving past Maisie.
Turning, Maisie felt like she was pushing against waves, pulling herself out from photographer mode. Her mom embraced Natalie and Kyle while Maisie set her camera down and went over to greet her with a hard hug of her own.
“Oh, you all look so good. I’ve missed you,” her mom said. She released Maisie and went back to Natalie, focusing on her stomach. “I can’t believe you’re having a baby. You’re feeling well?”
“I’m good, Mom. We’re good,” Natalie said, leaning in for another hug.
Maisie looked toward the entryway, then back at her mom. “Where’s Dad? Is he outside? The others are doing a tour of the grounds.”
She and her mom didn’t always agree on the best paths forward—it didn’t sit well with Laura Smart, PhD, that her youngest child hadn’tpursued a collection of degrees like the rest of the family—but she loved her and was thrilled to see her. If they steered clear of the subject, things were a lot smoother.
“Your dad was asked to step in on a surgery. He’ll join us on Christmas Day, unless we’re lucky and he can come the day before.” Her mom’s cheerfully proud voice didn’t match the way she avoided their gazes. Clapping her hands, she looked at each of them. “That’s what happens when you’re the best at something. You’re in demand. Now, how about we go see the grounds. I’d like to see my son and other son-in-law, not to mention meet our hostess.”
Kyle walked ahead as Natalie looped arms with their mom, while Maisie picked her camera up and tried to squelch her disappointment. It would have been nice to spend the extra days with her dad, to have him be part of the fun leading up to Christmas. As a renowned surgeon, missing family activities came with the territory. Surprisingly, it was every bit as upsetting as when she was a kid. While she knew her mom got irritated when her dad missed out on important things, her pride in what he did, who he was, and their joint contributions to a variety of communities—medical and academic, mostly—overshadowed any upset.
They donned jackets and boots and Maisie trailed just a bit behind, snapping photos of her family, the mountains, and the tree farm. The day was crisp and bright, the kind that filled your soul and heart with energy.
They heard Asher before they saw the group. The kid was hilarious, chattering nonstop like he was some sort of junior Olympian speed talker.
“And Uncle Nick got me my own skates,” Asher pronounced loudly as he, Nick, and Jacob came around the side of a dark-green, open-shed-like outbuilding. Maisie snapped another picture, this time of the two men looking down at Asher, Jacob’s face a mask of amusement and Nick’s one of intent listening.
When her camera made a sound, all of their eyes came to Maisie but it was only Nick’s that yanked the breath from her lungs.
“Mom!”
Jacob hurried forward and swept their mom up in a hug. Maisie was the youngest but Jake was her baby. She and Natalie loved to tease him about it.
“Where’s that wonderful husband of yours?” their mom asked when Jacob set her on her feet again.
“Uncle Colt is with my mom. They’re selling a tree cause that’s what we do here,” Asher said, coming to stand in front of Laura.
Their mom flashed a smile then looked down. “Is that so? And who are you?”
Asher stuck his little hand out, his fingers red from the cold, and, Maisie suspected, some snowball rolling. “I’m Asher Kingston. And this is my Uncle Nick. He plays hockey. I’m going to play hockey too. But I’m also gonna sell trees.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Asher. Nick.”
Nick chuckled, pulling Maisie’s attention. His gentle laugh made his eyes crinkle and the sight knocked her back into a memory she didn’t want to have with her family by her side. Nick’s eyes went dark, like he could guess what she was thinking.
He stepped forward, scooped up Asher, and reached out a hand to shake their mom’s. “Nice to meet you.”
“Lovely to meet you, as well, Nick. I’m Laura. You play hockey?”
