Her deep crimson fingernails encircle the festive goblet, jiggling it and making the ice rattle. “So you’re the boss?”
The fun-loving little sis who crashed Everly’s and my deck-the-halls session and then pretty muchshippedus on the spot is throwing off enemy vibes. Heck, if I didn’t know better, I’d assume her the litigator in this otherwise warm and welcoming family. “I’m in charge of the Chandor project, yes.”
Everly’s fork, mounded with gravy-laden mashed potatoes, has stalled before making it to her mouth. “I didn’t know that. I thought Cliff was.”
“Yeah, she thought Cliff was the boss.” Oakley’s honey-colored eyebrows challenge.
“Cliff is the foreman. I’m the—”
Oakley sets her glass down hard, snatching a singing phone from her pocket. Her eyes flare at the screen. “I’m sorry. I have to get this.”
Ignoring her mother’s protest, she darts away. The unmistakable sound of feet tromping stairs fades into the distance.
Claire shakes her head. “I apologize yet again, Knox. My daughter is not on her best behavior today. That was rude.”
Yeah, a little bit. Lucky for me, the reason I’m here in the first place is still seated to my right, gorgeous, sweet, and happy for my presence.
A cold heat makes its way over me. Ithinkshe’s happy. Iwanther to be happy. Meeting Everly as I did, at a greasy old diner, just goes to show the unpredictability of life. One minute I’m tossed about on the sea of rejection, and the next…Becca who?
Okay, I exaggerate. The image of my ex’s hand, studded with a different diamond than the one she’s yet to return to me, entangled with my own brother’s hand, is indelibly etched in my brain. I don’t wish either of them ill, but shoot, do they honestly expect congratulations?
Mom and Honey expect it—and I’m here to say the tenderhearted twosome may have overextended themselves in the faith-in-Knox-to-be-the-bigger-man department.
Claire lays her hand on my wrist, jolting me. “Is everything alright?” She makes a grumbly sound. “That girl…”
Everly shakes her head. “What’s with Oak anyway, Mom? She was wacky with me last night, too.”
“Your guess is as good as mine. It must have something to do with that call she bolted out of here to take.”
Sure not the way it feels from this vantage point. I can’t be imagining the steady drip of attitude oozing my way since walking into the house. And last night, she played hall monitor.
Everly’s mouth twirls into a sweet-with-snark smile. Borderline diabolical. “I’m very sorry, Knox. But don’t worry. I have big-sister ways of dealing with these kinds of things.”
“Everly Anne!”
I sputter a laugh that lightens the mood all around. “Don’t go to any trouble on my account. I’m not offended in the least. I count myself lucky to have dinner with three lovely ladies.”Good golly, I sound like an old geezer.
Everly spears a bite of roast and waves the fork to punctuate her words. “Nope. That girl’s in trouble with me now.”
I dial down the grin to about half wattage. “As the younger sibling myself, my sympathies may have to switch to Oakley.”
“They shouldn’t. Right, Mom?”
“Now, sweetie…”
Everly sighs and wince-smiles. “Now I’m sorry, Knox. Mom, we need to move things along. I think we’re making our guest as uncomfortable as Oak is.”
She isn’t wrong. I’m beginning to get a little warm and shifty in my chair.
The ladies move the conversation along, and by the time Oakley rejoins us, Everly, Claire, and I are an efficient trio, rinsing dishes and filling containers with leftovers.
The plate in my hand is lifted away by Claire. “You’re done in here, young man. Everly, hon, take Knox to the living room, and you two get to work on the tree. Oakley and I will be along as soon as we’re finished with the dishes.”
I dry my hands, and Everly and I meet up in front of the tree box. As in my home, there’s no point in arguing once a mother mind is made up.
Since last night, the space has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Someone either stayed up late or got up way before church. Stockings, garland, flickering candles. A bookshelf with a snow village, each building harboring a glowing votive. The glaring omission is the tree, still taped up in its coffin of a box. That honor has been saved for me and Everly.
Yippee? Decorating is not my strong suit.
