I study the sample mug on the shelf and agree that it’s cute.
Maybe I should get Beckett one of the mugs that saysWorld’s Best Dadto break the news of his impending fatherhood…
CHAPTER TWO
LAUREN CALDWELL
Something is going on with Beth. She’s unusually quiet, and that’s saying something since she’s the most introverted out of the three of us.
But ever since Diana and I picked her up at her place for this holiday shopping trip, she’s been off in her own world.
“I like it,” Diana says, grabbing anotherDADmug from the shelf. “I can get one for Soren with Sara Beth and Rachel’s names. Then they can match. I’ll text Kennedy and Heidi to see if they want us to buy them for Wyatt and Griffen, too.”
Beth tentatively selects a navy one. “If it’s a family affair, Beckett should have one. Don’t want the shop to run out by the time he needs it.” A red blush blooms on her cheeks as she ducks her head.
Diana and I share a speculative look, unaware that Beckett and Beth were thinking of having kids soon.
“Sounds like a plan. Let’s—” The blare of an incoming call rings from my phone, and I quickly remove it from my coat pocket to silence the noise. “Crap! It’s the magazine; I should take this.”
“Go ahead. We’ll keep browsing.” Beth smiles and shoos me away.
Returning the mug to its place temporarily, I exit the boutique and shiver at the icy blast that hits me in the face.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Caldwell? This is Jeannie from Q Magazine confirming the arrival of our photographer and journalist on December 11. They will be staying at Hearthstone Lodge through December 14. Does that still work for you and your husband?”
Why Ezra and I agreed to an introspective look into our lives, I’ll never know. It’s not like we need the publicity. The lodge has never been busier with guests booked out over a year in advance, and my songwriting talents are clamored for by today’s top musical artists.
But Ezra’s PR person and my agent talked us into it.
A holiday special on the life and love between a billionaire and his famous songwriting wife, who also happened to be in the middle of a reality TV scandal years ago.
“Yes, those dates work for us. We’re looking forward to meeting the team.”
Because the sooner they get here, the sooner this interview will be done and I can focus on what’s really stressing me out: hosting our family’s Christmas at the house we just finished building.
It’s the only one large enough to host six couples and their children for the holiday, which is exactly what Ezra and I wanted when we planned the home—for it to be a place of gathering for the Caldwell clan—but the reality is a lot more stressful than I was expecting.
Oh, how naive you were, Lauren.
“Excellent. Thank you for confirming, and happy holidays.” The lady hangs up, and I take a deep breath.
“You've got this,” I say to myself.
And if not?
Well, the Caldwells thrive in chaos, right?
CHAPTER THREE
DECEMBER 13
EZRA CALDWELL
“Like mama, like son, huh?” I stare down at the splat of orange goop Nash spit on my white button-down shirt. The squash mixture isn’t as cold as the iced coffee Lauren accidentally dumped on me years ago, but I definitely have to change my top before our last session with the Q Magazine photographer.
“Sara Beth, would you mind watching Nash and Ryan while I change?”
