Page 70 of Terms and Traditions

“I miss him,” I whispered.

“Me, too, baby.” We held each other in silence. Remembering a good man. Drawing strength from a shared loss and a promise of being reunited with him.

“Gabe mentioned doing things differently going forward. Instead of playing to Hiram’s whims,” I said into her shoulder after several minutes.

When she faced me again, Nana’s hazel eyes sparkled, all signs of tears vanquished. “Excellent. I’ve been thinking about it myself. Half of this family isn’t bad apples, but the rest...” She shuddered. Then she studied me and waggled her eyebrows. “And you might have a husband of your own next Christmas to take into account.”

“Nana!” I squawked, and she only cackled like the impudent grandmother she was.

“He’s a keeper, Stephie-Lou. Men like him are rare.”

Didn’t I know it. But because I couldn’t give in to her too easily, I snarked back, “What, tall, dark, and wealthy?”

Nana swatted at my behind, but since this wasn’t my first rodeo, I dodged her, laughing. “He’s easy on the eyes, girl, but he looks at you like you’re his world. He sees you. Not just the version you show to the rest of us. He brought your sparkle back.” She patted my cheek. “He’s the staying kind, baby girl. Who isn’t intimidated by your mess, doesn't bat an eye over getting up with a colicky baby in the middle of the night, and brings you closer to Jesus, not further away. He's a treasure worth hanging onto.” She gave me a meaningful glance before hurrying away, leaving me speechless.

What was I supposed to say to that? Sorry to dash all your hopes and dreams, Nana, but this was just fake? Until it wasn’t. Happiness sparked in my chest like the bubbly water I sipped, and I offered a silent prayer of thanks for Nash.

“I hope you’re happy with the choices you made,” Hiram said from behind me, instantly plunging me back to earth.

My pulse skyrocketed, and I gripped the edge of the side table beside me. A sturdy mahogany thing. Perfect for concealing nail marks from my death grip. “And why’s that?”

He studied me, his expression giving nothing away. His poker face was almost better than Gabe’s, and that was saying something. “Sometimes we live a lifetime to regret the mistakes we make. I’d hate for that to happen to you.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Friendly concern.”

Friendly, my Christmas cookies. I tilted my head, gripping the table tighter as I swayed. “Maybe. But the real testament of character is making a life despite those mistakes. Not wallowing or making those mistakes your whole personality.”

“Is that what you think I’ve done?”

I shrugged. “I can’t assume your motives. But I know you’re in love with the idea of love. Maybe it’s time to realize perfection isn’t the goal, but a beautiful partnership—ups and downs included—is.”

Hiram’s gaze moved beyond me to the motion on the slopes out the window. Shifting, I could see Zara in her lavender snowsuit set giggling with a couple of the kids.

When his gaze drifted back to me, determination smoldered in his hazel eyes. “We’ll see, won’t we. Goodbye, Stephanie.”

And in his wake, I was left wondering about the sincerity of his words and hated that I had to even consider the mental gymnastics of psychological warfare coming from my father. Maybe he heard me, maybe he didn’t. I’d said my piece. There was nothing else left to say. His choices were his own, and his life in the hands of One far more capable than my own.

“If everyone would assemble in the living room, I’ve got an announcement,” Hiram said when we returned from the ski run. Knowing Hiram, this could be anything from a new business venture, a new real-estate acquisition, or a new wife. Given he and Zara were just over a month into their marriage though, and she was here for Christmas, I didn’t see marriage being the new truth bomb. Besides, I actually liked her. Unlike the last few romantic liaisons, she was trying to enmesh herself into our lives. I wished her all the best since she was saddled with a man like Hiram. But after our conversation at the ski lodge, I was a little on edge.

“Any ideas what this is about?” Nash whispered to me as we came downstairs together after changing out of our winter layers into more comfortable jeans and sweaters. He was wearing the one I’d knitted him, and it hugged his shoulders just right.

“Steph?”

Oops, I hadn’t meant to get distracted. “Not a clue.”

I gave Ava a few knitting pointers while we waited in the living room for the rest of the family.

“Stab it, hang it, cut off its head,” Ava announced, going through the motions with her needle with an intensity that had her glossy corn braids bouncing. The saying was a little dark coming from a seven-year-old, but hey, it worked.

“You got it.”

Hiram stood in front of the tree and tapped a glass of… was that champagne? Weird choice for the middle of the day. Besides, it was for toasting and celebration. Was I wrong about the marriage thing?

“I had some exciting news to share, but with the unexpected guests this year, I had to seriously consider whether it was the best time to share company details.” His hauntingly familiar hazel eyes lingered on me and Nash, hard and blank.

I wanted to squirm under the blatant disapproval, but Nash laced our fingers, resting our hands on his thigh for all to see. Completely at ease. I inhaled deeply, trying to borrow his nonchalant attitude.