Patrick grinned and popped another piece into his mouth. “Christmas miracle.”
The back door burst open, bringing in a gust of cold air and two of Boone’s friends carrying firewood. Puck’s dog and chicken were with them. The German Shepard shook, spraying water everywhere, while the chicken clucked and went to sit on top of the garbage can.
“Close the door quickly,” Demarien said, waving a hand toward the coffee pot. A stack of towels sat next to it. “Dry off and get some coffee. It’s cold out there. Thank you for getting the wood.”
“No problem,” Dave responded, dumping the wood into the bin next to the door before taking off his coat. “It smells so good in here.”
“Anything you need?” Cooper asked. Boone’s shy friend was opening up more during this visit than during the last one. The large man was a gentle giant and intimidating at first sight. However, once you knew him, you knew he was a teddy bear.
Demarien gave the man a soft look, then turned hostile. “Puck, get your stupid chicken out of my kitchen,” he yelled.
“Screw you! She was there first.”
By afternoon, the house settled into that perfect holiday chaos — football on low volume in the den, Haley and the kids building something questionable out of gift boxes, Wilma-Jean asleep in an armchair with a blanket over her face. The smell of turkey, ham, butter, pine needles, and coffee blended into something warm and familiar.
As dinner finally came together, everyone crowded around the long dining table. Plates clattered. Chairs scraped. People argued playfully over who made the best mashed potatoes.
“Where the heck is Dad?” Demarien asked, not for the first time. “He said he was fetching gifts, but that was hours ago.”
Abuela said something, speaking too fast for Boone to understand her.
Felix’s eyes widened. “He is?”
“He’s what?” Boone asked.
Felix shook his head, hiding a grin. “It’s a surprise.”
Boone looked around at everyone talking over one another. Joe wasn’t there, but it was still a good meal. Abuela was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. The kids showed off new toys, and Demarien threatened anyone who touched dessert before dinner.
Outside, cold rain continued falling, but inside, the house glowed gold with light and noise and warmth, the kind that had nothing to do with the fireplace at all.
“Are we too late?” Joe asked, breathless as he hurried into the dining room from the kitchen.
“Where have you been?” Demarien asked, glaring at his dad. The glare disappeared when two people followed Joe inside the room.
“They took forever to get dressed,” Joe said, sighing as he sat next to Sammie and grabbed a plate. “I told them we didn’t stand on ceremony, but they insisted.”
Boone’s parents were dressed in formal attire and carried armfuls of presents.
“Mom? Dad?” Boone smiled widely as he stood. “You came.”
Lynda smiled softly, eyes watering. “We’re sorry, Boone. Can you forgive us for being jerks?”
“I can, but I’m not the only one you should apologize to.”
Lynda winced and gave Demarien a pleading look. “We were judgmental idiots who didn’t give you the proper respect and acknowledgment you deserve. Can you forgive us? We want to be part of your lives.”
Demarien snorted a laugh. “Of course. Sit down and eat.”
Perry cleared his throat. “We brought gifts for everyone.”
“Presents?” Becca, Haley’s daughter, asked, eyes full of wonder.
Boone’s father laughed. “Yes, for everyone.”
Demarien stood and helped Boone’s parents carry the gifts into the sitting room. “We’ll open these after dinner.”
“Yay,” the kids and Patrick yelled.
