Sleigh Bells in the Snow (O'Neil Brothers 1)

Choking back her wayward emotions, Kayla undid the bow and unwrapped the tiny silver box. There inside, nestling against dark velvet was a silver snowflake on a chain. “That’s so beautiful.” It winked and shone like the surface of the snow in sunlight.

“Wear it sometimes so you don’t forget us when you’re back in New York.”

Forget them?

How could she forget them? This was the first time in her life she’d felt like part of something. The first time in her life she hadn’t felt as if she were on the outside looking in.

The first time she’d allowed herself to care.

She lifted the necklace out of its box and fastened it around her neck.

“It looks pretty.” Alice put her knitting down. “When will you be back, Kayla?”

Elizabeth started picking up crumpled, torn wrapping paper. “Not for a while, I expect. But I’m sure she’ll stay in touch, and Jackson will tell us how she’s getting on.”

“How can she help us from New York? She’s put all those lovely, exciting ideas together, and now she’s leaving?”

Kayla saw Jackson looking at her and knew he was waiting for her to tell them about her promotion. But she couldn’t. The words stuck in her throat. It wasn’t relevant to them. It was a million miles away from life here.

Kayla heard Jackson swear under his breath, but it was Walter who spoke, his voice rough.

“She came here to give us advice and she’s done that. Now leave the girl alone.”

“But she fell in love with Snow Crystal,” Alice said in a stubborn voice. “She told

us that.”

“Alice, her job is in New York.”

“Jackson could give her a job. He’s in charge now. He could fix this.”

Walter took her hand. “She’s going to help us.”

“For once in your life will you think about something other than this place.” Alice glared at him fiercely, the look giving clues as to why she hadn’t been crushed by Walter in the sixty years they’d been together. “People matter more than places.”

“I know that. But Kayla has a life in New York.”

Kayla fingered her necklace. She had an apartment and a job. That was her life in New York.

“That’s enough.” Taking charge, Jackson stood up. “You’ve given her your gifts. Now it’s my turn. Put your coat on, Kayla.”

Reeling from emotions she couldn’t begin to decipher, Kayla stood up. “You already gave me presents—”

“Those were from Santa. I still have to give you mine—” Jackson picked up the scarf Alice had given her and wrapped it around her neck. “Where’s your coat?”

“In the kitchen.”

“I brought it through for you—” Elizabeth handed it over, eyes shining, a hopeful smile on her face as she looked at her son. “Oh, Jackson—”

Kayla wondered why Elizabeth was suddenly so cheerful. Then she heard the sound of bells, looked out of the window and saw the horse-drawn sleigh. Jess made a happy sound and ran to the window.

“It’s Bessie! Oh, wow. Can I go for a ride through the forest?”

“No.” Tyler tugged her away from the window, his gaze fixed on his brother. “You can have a turn later.”

Jess looked disappointed. “Who is it for then?”

“Kayla.” Jackson took her hand. “This is my gift to you. Your last Snow Crystal experience. Merry Christmas.”