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“I’m more concerned about the fact that he probably won’t want to have anything to do with me, knowing I’m…”
…banging his sister.
I didn’t say that part. Haley didn’t need to hear it. Chase would probably forbid me from seeing her, too, even though he had no power to make that part stick. She reared back to look at me.
“Oh, God, you’re right.”
“I knew what I was getting into, Haley,” I replied. “It’s okay. Chase and I will find a middle ground, no matter what.”
“But I don’t want to come between you two.”
I sighed. I knew the chances that I might lose a friend in this situation were fairly high.
“After Christmas,” I said. “Let everyone have a nice holiday first. Then we’ll tell them.”
Haley nodded. “Good idea.”
“Go on,” I said, pushing her toward the cabin. “Get back inside.”
Reluctantly, she hurried away, glancing over her shoulder at me before she disappeared through the back door.
***
On Christmas Eve, I found Haley by the fire with a book splayed across her lap. She was bundled in blankets with a sleeping Johnny tucked into her side. Brenda was curled up on the floor, struggling to stay awake.
“We’re waiting for Santa,” Haley whispered. She gestured to the plate of milk and cookies on the hearth.
“Looks like your scouts are sleeping on the job,” I pointed out.
She smiled softly and brushed Johnny’s hair away from his forehead.
“Your mom is a wicked poker player, by the way,” I said. “She wiped the floor with me. When I left, she was doing the same to your brother.”
Haley breathed a quiet laugh. “She can be relentless.”
I settled on the floor, my back resting against the couch where Haley sat. She placed her hand atop my head, her fingers idly threading through my hair.
“When can I read to you again?” I whispered.
She huffed. “Literally never.”
“Come on.” I turned my head to look at her and lowered my voice so she was the only one who could hear me. “I liked making you blush.”
A delicate pink stole across her face and she sank deeper into the couch. I hummed and reached back, brushing my knuckles against her cheek.
“Just like that.”
A loud cheer from the kitchen made Brenda blink awake and sit up, rubbing her eyes. Chase shuffled into the living room and I shifted away from Haley.
“Well,” Chase said with a dramatic sigh. “Mom cleaned me out. And now I’m on dish duty for the rest of the vacation. Learn a lesson from your big brother, Haley. Never play poker with your mother. She will have no mercy on her own children.”
His gaze fell on his dozing nephew and sleepy niece.
“What happened? I thought you were waiting up for Santa Claus?”
Haley shook her head. “He took too long.”
Chase clucked his tongue. “Better luck next year. I’ll put them to bed.”
