Her Festive Baby Bombshell

“Who’s your friend?” Her stepmother’s gaze settled fully on him.

“Oh. This is Finn. He’s my—”

“Boyfriend. It’s nice to meet you.” He held out his hand to the woman.

“I’m Helen.” She flashed him a big, toothy smile as she accepted his handshake. “I feel like I should know you. Have we met before?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?” She still held on to his hand.

He gently extracted his hand while returning her smile. “I’m certain of it. I wouldn’t have forgotten meeting someone as lovely as you.”

Her painted cheeks puffed up. “Well, I’m glad we’ve had a chance to meet. Isn’t that right, Fred?” And then at last noticing that her husband had settled in the living room with a newspaper, she raised her voice. “Fred, you’re ignoring our guests.”

The man glanced over the top of his reading glasses. “You seem to be doing fine on your own.”

“Don’t I always?” the woman muttered under her breath. “Lately that man is hardly home. All he does is work.” She moved to the bottom of the steps and craned her chin upward. “Suzie! Kristi! Get down here now!”

Doors slammed almost simultaneously. There was a rush of footsteps as they crossed the landing and then stomped down the stairs.

“What do you want? I’m busy doing my nails.” A teenage girl with hair similar to her mother’s frowned.

“And I’m on the phone.” The other teenager had dark hair with pink highlights.

“I know you’re both busy, but I thought you’d want to know that your sister is here.”

Both girls glanced toward the door. But they were staring—at him.

Both girls’ eyes grew round. “Hey, you’re Finn Lockwood.” They continued down the steps and approached him. “What are you doing here?”

His stomach churned as they both batted their eyes at him and flashed him smiles.

“He’s your sister’s boyfriend.”

Surprise lit up both sets of eyes. “You’re dating her?”

He nodded. “I am. Your sister is amazing.”

“I brought you some gifts.” Holly stepped next to Finn. “I found them when I was in the Caribbean and I thought you would like them.”

Each girl accepted a brightly wrapped package.

“What do you say?” prompted their mother.

“Thank you,” they muttered to Holly.

“I’m Suzie,” said the blonde.

“And I’m Kristi.”

Helen stepped between her daughters. “Why don’t you come in the living room and we can talk?”

“We really can’t stay.” Holly glanced at him with uncertainty in her eyes.

He smiled at her. “Holly’s right. We have other obligations tonight, but she was anxious for me to meet you all.”

“How did she bag you?” Suzie’s brows drew together. “You’re a billionaire and she’s nothing.”

Ouch! Finn’s gaze went to the stepmother, but Helen glanced away as though she hadn’t heard a word. That was impossible because Suzie’s voice was loud and quite clear.

His gaze settled back on Suzie. “Holly is amazing. She is quite talented. And she spearheaded the Project Santa initiative.”

“The what?”

“It’s nothing,” Holly intervened. “We really should go.”

Finn took Holly’s hand in his. “We have a couple of minutes and they haven’t opened their gifts yet.”

Both girls glanced down as though they’d forgotten about the Christmas presents. They each pulled off the ribbons first and then tore through the wrapping paper. They lifted the lids and rooted through the bikinis and cover up as well as sunglasses and a small purse.

Kristi glanced up. “Does this mean you got us tickets to the Caribbean? My friends are going to be so jealous. I’ll have to go to the tanning salon first. Otherwise I’ll look like a snowman in a bikini.”

Suzie’s face lit up. “This will be great. I can’t wait to get out of school.”

“Oh, girls, we’ll have to make sure you have everything you need. I’ll need to go to the tanning salon, too.”