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“No, that was my sister. You’ve met Val, with the tree farm.” She gave Tad a long look. “Those cookies, they wouldn’t be for Sarah, by any chance?”
Tad flushed. “They might be.”
“Thought so.” Patty nodded to herself. She was quiet a moment, then she nodded again. “You should bring them tomorrow, to ugly sweater night.”
“I thought I’d swing them by earlier,” said Tad. “You know, in case.”
“In case of what?”
“In case she doesn’t want me there, or—I don’t want to make it awkward, if she needs her space.”
“Space.” Patty made a snorting sound. “Listen, it’s not my place to say what she needs. But I will tell you this: there’s magic in ugly sweaters. No, no, don’t laugh—there really is something.” She leaned in closer, as though confiding a secret. “Will won Suzanna’s heart with an ugly sweater. An evenugliersweater saved Vern and Val’s marriage. And last year, when I bought mine at a consignment store, I found ten bucks in the sleeve.”
Tad laughed. “That’s impressive, but—”
“But nothing.” Patty squeezed his arm. “You show up tomorrow, and you show up ugly. Let it happen for you, that old sweater magic.”
Tad narrowed his eyes at her. “Do you know something you’re not telling me? Did Sarah say—”
“Better go grab that tray before it lands on the floor.” Patty pointed at West, who was dragging the cookie sheet off the kitchen counter. Tad lunged and caught it without a second to spare.
14
Sarah hovered by the drinks table, her smile frozen solid. If one more little kid came up to ask about her sweater…she didn’t know what she’d do, but it wouldn’t be pretty. Burst into tears, maybe, or go the whole hog and rip the damn thing in two.
Uh, excuse me, Aunt Sarah? Where’s the rest of your reindeer?
Yes, where indeed? She’d showed up hopeful tonight—Will had come for Suzanna at last year’s ugly sweater party. He’d showed up in antlers and swept her off her feet. Was it too much to ask for Tad and West to show up for her? At least so her stupid sweater made sense? Why, why,whyhad she suggested a set of matched sweaters?
“Maybe he didn’t get your text,” said Cassie.
“Yeah? And maybe he did.” Sarah poured a big glass of punch, then changed her mind. The aunts had doctored it already, and the last thing she needed was a big hit of booze.
“You still won the Games,” said Cassie. She nodded at Will, who’d showed up in some Christmas tie-dye monstrosity. “You could come in dead last tonight, and he’d still be behind.”
Sarah allowed herself the ghost of a smile. Will had come through for her, even if Tad hadn’t. She’d been right about that, at least: shecouldcount on family.
“Come on. Let’s get in a dance before the group photo.” Cassie hooked her arm through Sarah’s and led her to the dance floor. Sarah resisted at first, but Cassie spun her around, throwing her off-balance. They careened, all elbows, across the boards. Dancers scattered before them, diving out of the way.
“Cassie! Knock it off.”
“What was that? Can’t hear you.” Cassie grabbed her hands and leaned back, and they whirled like kids on the playground. Sarah gave in and threw her head back. Disco-ball sparkles flashed in her eyes. She laughed, half-blind, and spun even faster.
“Don’t let go,” she gasped.
“I won’t,” said Cassie. “Unless, maybe…” She whipped around one more time and dropped Sarah’s hands. Sarah screamed, breathless, and flew across the room. Faces flashed past her as she staggered and spun, and then she was falling into something rough and scratchy—something brown and red and deep navy blue, with rhinestones and tassels, and…
She caught her breath. “Tad?”
He helped her stand upright and find her feet, held her in place till her head stopped spinning. Tears stung her eyes, and she brushed them away.
“I can’t believe it. You came.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it.” Tad flung out his arms to show off his sweater—Rudolph on his shoulder, in all his stuffed glory, Dasher and Dancer streaking across his chest. “Come on. Get in here.” He pulled Sarah to him, Prancer through Cupid joining the line. West snuggled up next to her, and the line was complete, down to Santa’s sleigh across West’s tummy.
“She found her reindeer,” cried Beth.
“About time,” said Ann.
