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Christmas time was a big deal around the Parker home. Between the tree trimming, the cookie baking, and theIt’s a Wonderful Lifewatching, the whole family gathered at Kate’s parents’ house most days of the week leading up to Christmas. Tonight was Christmas Eve, and Adam and Kate had just arrived at her folks’ house. Christmas music played overhead, and the smell of roasted turkey filled the air.
Since publicly declaring their love, she and Adam had spent some part of almost every day and most nights together. Kate had worried about the effect on her business when the town found out she’d gotten together with a client, but since it wasloveand not merely a hookup, everybody she talked to seemed genuinely happy for them. At least to her face. And who cared what anyone thought anyway?
Adam had been a real trouper spending so much time with her family. For growing up with no siblings, he was holding up remarkably well. Understandable, since he was so adaptable and easygoing.
Seated around the dinner table, Edward clinked his glass to get everybody’s attention. “Let’s start the toasts, so we can eat,” he said.
It was a Christmas Eve tradition to go around the table and have everyone take a turn toasting to something they were grateful for that year. They all nodded and picked up their glasses.
“I’ll start,” he said. “I’m grateful Nana came to live with us. There’s never a dull moment with you around, Mom. Thanks for coming.”
“Here, here,” Lizzie said.
“I’m glad Daisy’s here,” Emma said.
“Can I just say ditto?” Daisy said. “I’m thankful I could make it back for the holidays. It’s good to be home.”
“I’m thankful Edward won his re-election campaign,” Adam said. “Despite some idiot meddling and almost ruining everything. And I’m grateful for the Parkers’ ability to forgive. Oh, and one more. Glad my mom found a nice guy, and that he’s spoiling her on a holiday cruise right now.”
Scarlett had seen the light and dumped Chuck. About a week after the debate, he’d slithered out of town, right behind Doug, who had quietly quit real estate and moved to Atlanta.
“I’m happy about the crap ton of money I made off a super handsome, hunky guy. It really helped my business get up and running.” Kate went to sit but noticed everyone still looking at her, eyebrows raised. “Ah, and thrilled that same guy stole my heart and showed me there is at least one trustworthy man in the world. Love you, baby.” She smiled and clinked glasses with Adam.
“My turn,” Nana said. She wore a T-shirt that said, “On the naughty list, and I regret nothing!” Her festive new hair color matched the Christmas red of the shirt. The tiara she wore listed to the left. “I’m grateful for the soft, sweet lips of Bernie—”
“Whoa, Mom,” Edward interrupted. They all snickered behind their napkins.
“What?”
“I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know where you’re headed with that. Who’s Bernie, anyway?”
“The mailman. I’m thinking of taking him as a lover.”
Edward stuck his fingers in his ears. “Mother, please.”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize we were a family of prudes.” Nana adjusted her tiara and sat primly.
“Oh, Nana.” Sophie shook her head. “I’m just overjoyed to have the whole family together. All my babies in one room, together, safe and happy is all I ever wish for. I’m also glad for Katie’s plus-one this year. These family dinners are going to keep getting bigger and bigger.”
When everyone had taken a turn, they bowed their heads while Edward said grace and then dug in. Roasted ham, smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, sausage cornbread stuffing, the whole works. Sophie always outdid herself for the holidays. Tomorrow, they would reconvene for brunch and to open presents, and then enjoy another scrumptious feast in the evening.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever need to eat again after this meal,” Daisy said. “This is really amazing, Mom. Everything is delicious.”
Sophie beamed, very much in her element. Her mother made it look effortless, but Kate knew she had been planning the last few days for weeks. Separate lists for to-dos and to-cooks for each day, sometimes broken down by the half-hour. Kate looked forward to preparing meals like this for her own family one day. And while she didn’t want to push Adam, she was eager to find out where their relationship was headed.
They hadn’t formally talked about it, so it wasn’t official, but he and Duke had more or less moved in with her. He still had his place on the lake, but his car was parked at hers more often than not, and Duke’s monstrosity of a bed lay next to Luna’s. Even though Adam had said he loved her, he was still commitment-shy, and who knew what that meant for her marriage and family plans. Maybe one day, she’d ask him, but for now, the status quo would have to do, because she couldn’t picture life without him. She’d wait until he was ready.
Midway through dinner, Adam got everyone’s attention.
“So, I have a little proposition for you all,” he said. All eyes turned toward him. “You know I purchased that fixer-upper strip mall on Trent Boulevard a couple of months ago. I’m starting renovations soon, and I got to thinking, I have five spaces, and four of you run your own businesses…How’d you like to be neighbors?”
“Are you suggesting we all lease a spot from you?” Lizzie asked.
“Yes,” Adam said. “Lucy could take one of the ends, and we’d build out a drive-thru for her. Kate’s business is growing quickly and needs more space. She’s already put dibs on the office in the middle. Lizzie, you’ve talked about wanting a bigger kitchen and more tables and booths. And Emma, you would have more office and conference room space. All the units are bigger than what y’all are in now. I feel like it’d be a win-win for everybody. We’d remodel to suit your needs, and you’d have better access and parking than you do now.”
“This is a fantastic idea,” Lucy said. “Old lady Turnpike is apparently never going to sell her bank. I would love the extra room and easier parking. And I’ve been dying for a drive-thru forever.”
“I’m in,” Lizzie said.
