I watch surprise flicker across Dani’s face at Rosa’s tone, at the way Lowe’s usual easy smile falls away. This is clearly not the Lowe she’s used to seeing at their regular Sunday brunches.
“Ms. Evans.” His voice is equally frosty.
The silence stretches until Noel clears her throat. “The turkey should be about ready. Why don’t we move this into the dining room?”
I watch them all file past - this complicated collection of people trying to become family. Jim hovers uncertainly at the edges. Rosa keeps Jelena close, while Lowe maintains his distance but can’t seem to keep his eyes off them.
“You okay?” Noel squeezes my hand as she passes.
I pull her close, breathing in the scent of ham and sugar cookies and home. “Better than okay.”
And I am. Because this - all of this messy, complicated, beautiful chaos - is exactly what I came back for.
The dining room erupts in chaos as everyone finds their seats. Jelena insists on sitting between Noel and Rosa, which puts Rosa directly across from Lowe. Perfect. The twins take opposite ends of the table, still bantering about who's better looking, while Alix rolls her eyes at their antics.
"Need help with anything?" Jim asks Noel, hovering by his chair.
"Just sit, Dad." Her voice is cool but not cold. Progress.
I catch Dani watching the undercurrent of tension between Rosa and Lowe, her eyes narrowing like she's solving a puzzle. When Rosa passes him the potatoes without looking at him, barely acknowledging his quiet "thank you," Dani's eyebrows shoot up.
"Auntie Rosa," Jelena pipes up, "did you see my dress? Miss Noel helped me pick it."
"It's beautiful, baby." Rosa's voice softens the way it always does with Jelena. "You look like a princess."
"She helped me get ready too," Jelena continues, and I feel the whole table hold its breath. But Rosa just smiles.
"She did a great job." Her eyes meet Noel's across Jelena's head. Something passes between them - understanding, acceptance, maybe both.
"Speaking of great jobs," Jim clears his throat. "Trace, I heard the new distribution center's ahead of schedule."
"Yeah." I'm grateful for the shift in conversation. "Should be up and running by spring."
"You know," Ryan cuts in, "Alix's agent, Caren, might know someonewho could help handle your legal work."
Alix elbows him. "I can speak for myself, honey."
"But you weren't."
Their easy banter breaks some of the tension. Even Jim chuckles, and when Jelena asks why everyone's laughing, the warmth in the room feels real. Until Lowe speaks up. "Will you be needing security for the center?"
Rosa's fork clatters against her plate. "Because cops make everything safer?"
"Rosa," I warn softly, but Lowe's already responding.
"Actually, I was thinking of private security. Something community-based. Local people who understand the area."
"Local people?" Rosa's laugh is bitter. "Like the local officer who—"
"Who wants dessert?" Noel stands abruptly. "Jelena, want to help me bring out those cookies?"
"Yes!" Jelena bounces in her seat. "Daddy, can I show everyone my gingerbread house?"
Just like that, the moment passes. But I don't miss the way Lowe watches Rosa for the rest of the meal, or how she deliberately avoids his gaze.
Later, as people start gathering coats and saying goodbyes, Jim pulls me aside.
"Thank you," he says gruffly. "For including me. For..." he glances at Jelena, who's hugging Rosa goodbye, "for letting me be part of this."
"You're welcome." The words come easier than I expected.
Dani's the last to leave, linking arms with Lowe. "Walk me to my car, Sheriff?" But she's looking at Rosa as she says it, something speculative in her expression.
Finally, it's just us. Noel sinks onto the couch, pulling Jelena into her lap. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
I sit beside them, wrapping my arms around my girls. "No," I agree, watching Rosa's taillights disappear down the drive. "Not bad at all."
Sometimes family is what you make it. Sometimes it's messy and complicated and nothing like you planned. But sometimes, if you're lucky, it's exactly what you need.
