Sophie’s eyes widened. “No way.”
Bearing more gifts, Cole stepped into the house, saw Bobbin, and snickered. “I can kind of see his button nose, but where’s his corncob pipe?”
“Just because you’re family does not mean you can make fun of my cat.” Isabelle narrowed her gaze, then gave him a hug, too. “Welcome home,bro.”
“Can’t say as I was in a hurry to get back,sis.But Sophie would never have forgiven me if we weren’t home for Christmas. You know how she is about her favorite holiday.”
Isabelle knew.
A few minutes later, Cliff arrived. While Sophie told them about her favorite parts of her Paris trip, Cole smiled indulgently at his wife. Their mother had gotten up early, styled her hair, put on makeup, and even a dab of perfume. Her father had been smiling at her from the time he’d arrived. Things were far from perfect. Maybe they never would be. But as Isabelle glanced around the table at the delicious breakfast they’d made together, she said a silent prayer of thanks that her family was there and safe.
After they’d cleaned up the kitchen, they opened presents. Sophie and Cole opened the first Christmas ornament with their names and wedding date on it, which Isabelle had made for them, and gushed about how much they loved it. Sophie had shopped during her honeymoon and had put together a Paris box for Isabelle with an Eiffel Tower snow globe, a scarf, and a fancy box of delicious macarons.
Isabelle sniffled at the snow globe, refused to let thoughts of Zach ruin her morning, and passed her macarons around to share with everyone. When they’d finished, and although she’d been snapping photos with her phone, Sophie pulled out her camera, the same one Isabelle had given her for her sixteenth birthday.
“Everyone huddle together in front of the Christmas tree. We need a new picture for the wall.” When they were there, awkwardly huddled, Sophie added, “On the count of three, say Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.”
“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,” they all said in unison as the camera flashed.
Sophie checked the photo, then smiled. “It’s perfect.”
After loading up their gifts, they headed to Aunt Claudia’s for a multi-family gathering.
Isabelle smiled at all the right times. Laughed at all the right times. Was fairly positive she gave the right answers at the right times. But that didn’t keep Sophie from following her into the kitchen when she went after more cider.
“Call him.”
She didn’t bother pretending that she didn’t know who her sister meant. “No.”
“You should at least thank him for Bobbin’s gift and wish him a Merry Christmas.” Sophie gave her a suspicious look. “If he gave the cat a costume, what did he give you?”
The pendant burned at Isabelle’s throat so hotly that Sophie’s gaze dropped to it.
“Not that I don’t know. I noticed your necklace when we first came into the house this morning and have been dying to get you alone to get the scoop.”
“It’s just a necklace,” Isabelle assured, trying not to reach up to touch the pendant again.
She’d fallen asleep clutching the silly snowman the night before, had dreamed Santa had stuffed Zach into her stocking, giving him to her forever. Maybe she should lay off the hot cocoa before bed on Christmas Eve.
“A necklace from Zach,” Sophie clarified, emphasizing Zach.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Sure, it does,” Sophie countered. “You’re wearing it, aren’t you?”
“Sophie, I—” Isabelle paused, then gave in to touching the snowman as if it were some magic talisman that would give her the ability to go on. She met her sister’s gaze, then acknowledged the truth. “I miss him.” Once the words came out, they overwhelmed her. “I more than miss him. I—”
Doing a little happy dance, Sophie squeed. “I knew it!”
“It doesn’t matter, Sophie. He’s gone.”
“So what? We live in a world filled with transportation options.” Sophie’s eyes twinkled. “If you want Zach, go find him.”
Breathing had become difficult, but she managed to ask, “And then what am I supposed to do? Hit him over the head and inform him that he’s the only thing I want for Christmas?”
Sophie giggled. “That might work. You have been extra good this year.”
Adrenaline built in Isabelle, messing with logic. She met Sophie’s gaze.
