A department-store-worthy tree stood in the center of the circular driveway and a coordinating wreath hung on each window and door, of which there were several. Every light in the home appeared to be switched on, and coupled with the lampposts lining the drive, the entire house glowed against the backdrop of the wintry night sky.
No sooner than he’d flicked off the headlights, the front door swung open and a young woman emerged in full Victorian garb. Her pristine updo—glossy, period-appropriate ringlets that framed her pretty face—threatened to come loose as she skipped down the stone steps and raced across the gravel drive.
“That’s Lucy,” Jack chuckled as he hopped out of the driver’s seat. “Get ready to be hugged.”
Kat watched, unable to hide a smile as Lucy tackled Jack in a bone-crushing hug, rumpling her elegant dress in the process.
“Easy,” Jack gasped. “I won’t be able to sing if you collapse my lungs.”
“Good,” she giggled. “Then Liam will owe me one. He’s always complaining you sing over him, since you’re the only two baritones in the family.” Noticing Kat, Lucy beamed in her direction. “You must be Kat, who I’ve heard so much about.”
Without hesitation, Lucy gathered Kat in a welcoming hug, thankfully using less force than she had on her brother. “I’m so glad you could come. Mom and I are sorely outnumbered by the boys. And Jack said you have the voice of an angel.”
Kat flushed, stealing a glance at Jack. His complexion appeared particularly rosy, but she reasoned it could be from the cold.
He cleared his throat. “Are you going to invite us inside? Or should we freeze out here in the driveway?”
Rolling her eyes, Lucy tucked her arm through Kat’s, leading her toward the house. “I don’t know how you put up with my brother.”
“I think it’s his cooking,” Kat teased. “He makes the best flapjacks.”
Jack caught her eye and the look that passed between them set her cheeks ablaze.
And in that moment, she had a feeling the night would be nothing short of perfect.
* * *
When Lucy whisked Kat away after introductions to change into her caroling costume, Jack felt oddly exposed. Her presence had provided a buffer, and now, standing in the middle of the opulent sitting room, his collar dug into his throat. He tugged, but it hardly budged.
“She’s lovely, Jack.” His mother broke the awkward silence as she flitted toward the rolling drink cart to top off her eggnog.
Elaine Gardener hadn’t aged a day since Jack last saw his mother. Her pale-blond hair remained coiled in a permanent bun. And if anything, her porcelain skin had fewer wrinkles than he remembered.
“She’s pretty great,” he said flatly, not ready to divulge the full extent of his feelings.
“How’d you trick her into dating you?” Liam, his youngest brother, teased from his lounging position in the overstuffed armchair by the fire. He looked so grown up in his elaborate ensemble that included white gloves and a top hat.
“Did she ever eat at your diner?” Everett asked with a devilish grin. “I’m going to bet on food poisoning. It can make people delirious.” As the middle child, his jokes were always a tad over the top.
“That’s certainly a possibility,” Jack chuckled. He’d missed their good-natured ribbing. And truthfully, he regretted letting the bad blood with his father come between him and his brothers. He should’ve made more of an effort to stay in touch.
“Don’t listen to them.” Micah, the second oldest, rested a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “They’re just bitter because you’ve found yourself a woman like Kat and we’re all still single.”
“It’s a travesty,” Elaine announced. “All my boys are tall, handsome, and successful. What’s not to love?” She cupped Emmett’s cheek, gazing at him fondly.
Jack was glad to see Emmett had finally differentiated himself from Everett with a closely trimmed beard. As identical twins, they had always been difficult for Jack to tell apart. Which they used to pull numerous pranks in their childhood.
“Successful to varying degrees.” Richard Gardener poured bourbon from a Waterford crystal decanter into a matching tumbler.
Jack gritted his teeth, suspecting the clarification was meant for his benefit. Maybe a holiday truce had been expecting too much.
Micah cleared his throat. “Ready to don your fancy duds? Lucy rented all the costumes from some production company that specializes in Victorian-era films. Since you’re the eldest, your outfit comes with a cane.” He flashed a wry grin.
“Hilarious,” Jack snorted, grateful to his brother for lightening the mood.
He’d known coming tonight wouldn’t be easy. But if he could swallow his pride, he had a slim chance of getting through the rest of the evening without his temper flaring.
Being back among his family, he realized he didn’t want to lose them again.
