Page 42 of We Wish You a Messy Christmas

“I think I’m just tired,” she told him. And irritated at Kristen, she wanted to add, but she knew that would sound childish.

“It’s late,” he said with a disappointed expression.

“Yeah, tomorrow will be another busy day.” She picked up another cushion and tossed it onto the couch. “Guess we should say goodnight.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. Just then, one of his sisters called out to him to take out the garbage. “Goodnight,” he said hastily.

“Goodnight.” And despite knowing she was taking this all wrong and acting even more like a baby than silly Kristen, she’d turned and run up the stairs with hot tears burning in her eyes.

But today was a new day, she told herself as she got up early, determined to put a bit more effort into making her mom’s house a little tidier. Malcolm could call her a perfectionist if he wanted, but she was simply trying to be considerate. Did she appreciate tidiness and order? Probably . . . but not to the point of perfectionism, she hoped.

As she went into the kitchen, which surprisingly looked better than it had in days, she reminded herself it was Christmas. And it would be a good day. As she made coffee, adding a cinnamon stick to make it festive, she began to hum Christmas carols to herself. Yes, it would be a good day.

She carried her cinnamon-flavored coffee with cream through the house, pausing by the nativity scene Malcolm had carved, and stood there admiring it. Picking up the tiny manger and babe, she felt a sense of wonder. That first Christmas must’ve been so humble . . . and yet so amazing.

“Good morning,” Malcolm quietly said from the landing. “And Merry Christmas.” He came down the stairs in stockinged feet, carrying his boots. He set his boots by the front door and then came back to her, slipping an arm around her waist. “Still like it?” he asked, nodding toward the nativity scene.

“Like it?” She smiled at him. “I love it.”

“Good. Now I want to apologize for last night.” He kissed her forehead. “After you went to bed, my older sister took me aside.”

“Jocelyn did?” She peered curiously at him.

“She explained how Kristen was playing you. I should’ve warned you that Nate’s girlfriend is kind of a piece of work. Rumor is he’s thinking about breaking up with her.”

“Oh?”

“Anyway, Jocelyn explained how Kristen had treated you over Sadie’s little accident.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I guess I missed that. You were doing it exactly right. Kristen is just, well, she’s just dumb.” He laughed.

“And I guess I was feeling a bit jealous when she was getting all cozy with you.”

His eyes lit up. “You were jealous?”

“Yeah, pretty silly, huh?”

He tipped his head to one side. “I don’t know. I think it’s kind of sweet.”

She set down the tiny manger and baby, then looked up at him. “Thanks for apologizing.”

He leaned down to kiss her. “Thanks for getting jealous.”

She held up her coffee mug, which was now in need of a warm-up. “Want some?”

“I do. But how do you feel about taking a little morning stroll first?” He nodded toward the front window. “It’s a clear day, and I’d like to see the sun coming up on the snow.”

“Just let me get my coat and boots,” she told him.

“Meet me outside.”

Olivia’s feet felt light as angels’ wings as she skipped up the stairs. She had felt confident that last night’s little debacle had been mostly in her mind, but it was reassuring to hear Malcolm apologize. And now they would go on a delightful Christmas morning walk. She pulled a knit cap on, slid into her parka, and shoved on her boots, then hurried back downstairs. Malcolm was waiting on the porch.

“Check out that blue sky,” he said as they went down the steps. “I just looked at the weather on the other side of the mountain.”

“Let me guess. Raining?”

He grinned. “Yep.” He took her hand. “I’m not going to miss that.”

She wanted to say “Me too” but knew she’d have to explain it.