And Chris might be the perfect candidate for her to get a little crazy with.
“Mindy’s about to serve the pumpkin pie,” she said. “We should go back inside.”
“I hear her pie is amazing.”
“It is,” Jane agreed as she started for the door. “She’s the baker of the family. Sadly, I lack those skills.”
“I’m sure you have others to make up for it.” He smiled, his tone flirtatious.
“Oh, I do,” she tossed over her shoulder, feeling light. Happy. Grasping hold of the door handle, she paused. “And if you’re lucky enough, maybe you’ll get to know just how skilled I am.”
“In what?” He sounded intrigued.
“You’ll just have to wait and find out.”
Chapter Eight
“Are we going to the tree lighting now?” Lexi asked, hope shining in her eyes.
Jane nodded as she placed the last dirty dish in the dishwasher. “Has everyone cleaned up their rooms?”
“I’ll go check.” Lexi ran off, her booted feet stomp, stomp, stomping on the wooden floors. “Logan! Have you picked up your toys?”
The frustrated yowl from Logan indicated that he hadn’t and Jane shook her head, pushed her hair out of her face. Today had been a trying one. Her kids were still tired from the never-ending Thanksgiving celebration, even though she’d put them to bed early last night. They wanted to be with their cousins. They’d whined about it continuously all day and she’d finally relented, calling Mindy to see what everyone was doing that night.
They were going to the Lone Pine Lake annual Christmas tree lighting, of course. Mindy said it as if Jane had lost all her marbles for forgetting such a beloved Lone Pine event. Now, Patrick and his family were coming to pick them up in less than half an hour.
Despite her wanting to make this holiday season the best ever for her kids, Jane would much rather stay home. She was tired, worn out from a day spent with over-stimulated, crabby children. She’d taken down all of her Thanksgiving decorations that morning, which spurred Lexi to start begging for the Christmas decorations to come out. Three boxes sat on the floor in the garage—their old decorations Patrick had pulled out of storage and brought up with him from San Jose. They hadn’t decorated last year, since they’d spent Christmas at her parents’ house.
She didn’t want to open that box. Didn’t want to revisit all the bittersweet memories that came with it. The box represented her old life, a life she didn’t want to focus on anymore.
The decorations she’d collected over the years were probably too fancy for their current digs, anyway. Her old house had been a showcase, a place to flaunt her decorating skills and their wealth. She would’ve never admitted that last part before, but it was true. Stephen had loved showing off his home, his wife, and his children. He bought only the best of the best. Their home had been gorgeous, especially during the holidays.
After this year, she decided she would get rid of those decorations, give them away to any of her siblings who wanted them and then donate the rest to charity. New decorations were needed, homemade ones by the kids, themed ones from the local shops. Patrick’s house was styled in a sort of rustic mountain-cabin theme, so it made sense to have their future tree decorated in a similar way.
A knock rapped on the door and Jane checked the clock. If it was Patrick, he was early. And he was never early, considering he and his wife had four kids to round up.
“Just a minute,” she called as she folded a dishtowel and hung it on the oven handle before going to the door.
She found Mac standing on her doorstep. “What are you doing here?”
“Nice greeting,” he muttered as he walked past her and into the house, bringing the cold air with him. “Patrick called and asked me to pick you up. His car is too full, since now he’s taking Mindy’s kids.”
“Isn’t Mindy going?” Jane shut the door, worry filling her.
Mac shook his head, his expression grim. “She and Marty are having a big talk. I’m guessing one of them is going to drop the divorce bomb on the other. Mom is gonna freak out, especially if they decide this right before Christmas.”
&nbs
p; “I hope everything’s all right.” Sure, she knew her sister and Marty weren’t happy together, but she still felt terrible. And Mac was right. It was their mother’s greatest pride and joy that none of her children were divorced. If Mindy took that plunge, she’d throw the curve.
Jane felt as if she’d already thrown the curve a bit, what with being the official widow of the family and all.
“Mindy always lands on her feet.” Mac glanced around the living room. “Are the munchkins ready to go?”
“They just need their coats on.” She rested her hands on her hips. “And what are you doing, going to the tree lighting ceremony anyway? You’re single, why are you hanging out with all the families on a Friday night?”
He shrugged, looked a little embarrassed. “It’s not only families who go to the tree lighting.”