Holiday Kisses

“‘Used to’ being the important phrase,” Calliope said. “I don’t like to think of any child as hopeless, but Kyle came awfully close.”

To say Kyle Winters, soon to be Knight since Matt and Lori had begun adoption proceedings for the sixteen-year-old, had turned his life around was an understatement. He wasn’t letting his past define him and had, thanks to the guidance of the deputies in town, learned he had value. Love and acceptance truly were miracle cures.

“I understand the renovations on the new youth center are coming along nicely. Is that where your dad is today?”

“Ah, no.” Holly rocked back on her heels. “Dad is playing Santa. He says he plans on being too busy next year with these two so he wants to stretch out his performance as long as he can.” She rubbed her stomach. “So about the sandcastle competition? You know I’d do it if I could manage—”

“I’ll talk to Stella,” Calliope reassured her. The idea of participating in the annual event still didn’t sit well, but she had to admit, Xander had made some good points when they’d discussed the positive benefits of competition.

“Okay, you two.” Paige leaned on the railing in front of Calliope and blocked her view. “We’re taking bets on what you’re talking about and seeing as I don’t want to break my streak—”

“We were discussing what a difference we see in Kyle,” Calliope told her as a low rumble of thunder echoed.

“That’s just weird,” Holly muttered. “Weather report didn’t say anything about rain.” She glanced back at the overflowing picnic table as the wind picked up.

“Guess a storm’s brewing.” Paige didn’t look convinced, but her pretty face tightened with concern. “Might be batten-down-the-hatches time.”

“It’s not a storm.” Exactly. Calliope glanced back at her sister. “But I’m afraid Stella and I need to go. There’s something I have to check on.”

The cloud was pulling at her, all but screaming at her. Something or someone needed attention.

“Let Stella stay,” Paige said with a shrug. “Charlie and I can bring her home later.”

“You wouldn’t mind?” Calliope asked. It would make things easier if she didn’t have to worry about Stella.

“Of course not. Even if I did, do you want to break that up?” Paige gestured to her daughter, who was laughing so loud and so hard she toppled off the bench. “I sense the beginnings of a lifelong friendship brewing with those two. Make that three. Marlie balances them out. She’s such a quiet little thing. Like her sister.”

“Abby mentioned Willa’s coming along,” Holly said of the Flutterby Inn’s newest employee. “It’s been a rough few years with their mother’s illness. But Nina’s doing so much better now and Jasper’s enrolled in those pre-college science classes at the community college in Durante. Willa doesn’t know what to do with herself now that her brother’s found his niche.”

“Willa needs a Charlie,” Calliope agreed, and wondered if the quiet wallflower, so competent at her job, maybe needed a little extra attention. Didn’t everyone?

As if Holly could read her thoughts, she said, “Everyone needs a Charlie.” Holly sat beside Paige and nudged her. “You do realize I’ve claimed unofficial godmother rights? It’s only fair since you were going to assign me and Luke custody when you’d planned to go back east and make it all good with the police. Thankfully that all got resolved and you never had to do anything with Charlie.” Holly shrugged. “We call that her not so smart phase.”

“It wasn’t a not so smart phase.” Paige’s cheeks went pink. “But it was good to have options where my girl was concerned.”

“My turn!” Abby Manning leaped in and sat on the other side of Paige, tall glass of iced tea in one hand. “What are we talking about? Please don’t say the wedding, because I honestly can’t take much more planning. And wait, before you ask, because I know you’re all dying to know. We went with eggshell-colored napkins for the wedding. Whew!”