Mom and I worked like crazy all day. The fine spread of Christmas tradition we produced is impressive—and smells heavenly. The table is draped with the pretty cloth she carefully irons every December, although she invested in an elegant new centerpiece decked with frosted pine cones and red and white poinsettias.
Pointy holly leaves with red berries adorn the lovely china that has decorated the Wilkes family table for decades. The plates wait to be piled high with the traditional casseroles that get whipped up only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. My stomach growls at the sight and the wafting aromas.
Mom names the dishes one by one. “We have honey-glazed ham, au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and squash casserole.” She smiles brightly. “Which do you think will be your favorite, Knox ?”
My date—wow, I adore the sound of that—eyes the dishes as he unfolds a red napkin across his lap. “I’m going to savor each one, I can tell, but there’s no contest. I’m going to love the squash casserole, a hundred percent. That’s always my favorite.”
His answer feels like a sign, but the satisfied glee transforming Mom’s expression is more like a warning to duck and cover. She beams as bright as the North Star. “What a coincidence. That’s also Everly’s favorite…” Her words trail. “What’s that sound?”
Knox glances toward the fireplace, cheek hitched playfully. “Santa?”
Mom doesn’t laugh and I instantly realize why as a sound perks my ears. “Someone’s at the front door.” Not merelyat—it sounds like whoever has arrived is letting themselves inside.
Knox straightens. “Are you expecting someone?” He looks between the two of us.
We both shake our heads.
He lays the napkin beside his empty plate and pushes from the table. “You ladies stay here.”
And we do—for three seconds. Mom and I shoot up like tandem rockets.
A split second before rounding the corner into the living room, a familiar baritone reaches me.
“You must be Knox.”
Chapter 27
Everly
“Daddy!”
“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” Weighted down with a laptop bag and a rolling suitcase, Dad makes like he’s Santa or something. He kind of is, only he’s the gift he’s delivering.
I make it to him before Mom and get in one excellent hug before she edges me out of the way and hangs onto my father’s neck for dear life. Is that a tear in her eye?
How sweet. This is what thirty years of marriage should look like.
Mom cups Dad’s face. “Baby, what are you doing here?”
He holds her tight and presses a kiss to her lips. “Couldn’t stay away from my girls, now could I?”
I wrap my hands around Knox’s arm and wait for the fifty-something lovebirds to remember other people are present.
Finally, they break apart. Dad’s thinning hair is wind-whipped. His expression is pleasant, but he’s definitely sizing Knox up.
I wouldn’t expect anything less. I’m not nervous about it. Knox leaves no reason for a lady to worry. For once, I’ve chosen a man who gives me no cause for concern. No fear of secrets or lowbrow behavior. He’s just a great guy with good character.
“Dad, this is Knox Herd.” I nudge him forward. Not that I need to. Knox is confident, direct, and a gentleman.
They shake hands.
“I hear I have you to thank for seeing to it my wife didn’t have to forgo the Christmas wonderland in the front yard this year.”
“Everly and I worked together. Team effort.”
Mom takes charge of the situation, flapping the back of her hand at the men. “You two make yourself comfortable. Get to know each other. Phil, I’m going to add another setting to the table. Everly, come with me.”
Leave it to a mom to hijack a perfect moment.
