Devin was within earshot and ready when she came around the corner. He tossed some silver tinsel at her. “Take that, Becca. I’m not decorating that tree with all that Christmas music playing in my ear just so you know.”
Becca pouted. “Stop that. You're going to mess up my hair.” She tossed a few strands back at him.
Devin gave her a little nudge then leaned into her. “Not possible, ever. Be careful with that guy. I know he seems nice, but I still don’t trust him. What kind of stories is he telling you? He might be delusional.”
Of course, Becca was her usual hopeful and cheery self. He could tell she was already half in love like she’d always been, but his mind was getting overshadowed by Adria and how to pursue her without making it obvious and scaring her away. The friendship she was building with Liam was a little unsettling.
The man thinks he’s a Casanova.
“I am being careful, but I’m telling you I have a good feeling about him. He’s really nice. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Besides, he's really handsome, and no one that handsome could be bad, right?”
Devin could think of a few people who fit that description. He’d known over the years as a lawyer that they were capable of bad things, terrible things, but he’d keep his mouth shut. There was no use trying to explain things to Becca if she hadn’t learned them already in life. Her innocence was a tremendous surprise considering how far she’d come in life.
“Just be careful.”
“I will. Now come on, you're decorating this tree with us. Mom would want you to help, Elvis or no Elvis.”
Devin let Becca lead him by the hand. He’d always preferred his women quiet, and less fussy or dramatic in appearance and personality like Adria.
Then he remembered Adria was more reserved and shy back in high school. He’d never gotten the chance to ask her out and took Becca to the prom since they were such good friends. When he rounded the corner, Adria was coming down the stairs in a Santa hat looking as cute as ever. He smiled even though she wasn’t looking at him because her eyes were focused on Liam.
“Okay everyone, let's open those boxes and get decorating. You guys have to find a way to help us get that star up there and I’d like Liam to do it since he’s never done it.”
The tree was larger than life. A good fifteen feet tall, it stood against a ceiling window that their mother had put in when the girls were teenagers. With the open floor plan and vaulted ceiling in that section of the house, it made a grand statement. Devin thought it was a shame they were the only ones to see it.
For the next few hours, they decorated the massive tree and talked about Christmases gone by in Seneca Falls. Devin cherished every moment he’d spent with Becca and Adria, and their mother.
“I’m sorry I didn't get to make it to her funeral. I was in Washington D.C. at the time. I really loved her, I hope you both know that.”
Both ladies smiled at him and Devin felt that familiar stirring of emotions deep in his belly when Adria looked at him.
“Thank you, Devin.” Becca rubbed his shoulder. “She loved you too.”
“She did. She always talked about you and your family, and how many times Becca or I would bring over extra cookies. Trying to ride my bike carrying a large bag of goodies was miserable.”
“Yeah, she was a generous person, but then again, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.” Devin hoped Adria knew he was talking to her.
Her eyes turned when Liam handed her and then Becca a cup of cocoa. “Now this is one thing Idoknow ladies like…cocoa, but I don’t think we can put it in the Christmas category as it belongs in the winter and snow category.”
Devin groaned inside, wishing with all his heart he could ask Santa for an early Christmas gift and send this man and his belongings packing.
Six
By nightfall the decorating was complete and they were all exhausted. Liam had a smile on his face from ear to ear which made Adria feel good. No matter what happened, she wanted to make people happy.
She knew at her age, the chances of finding love were slim because she was too set in her ways as were the men in her age group. Still, she remained hopeful. Liam seemed kind-hearted, artsy, and cheerful which were things she valued.
Devin had disappeared after dinner, and Becca had her head buried in her mirror as she sat on the couch next to Adria.
“Oh, for the love of heaven, can you put the mirror down, sis? There are no fans here, and no one is taking any pictures, not yet anyway. Can’t we play a game? We have checkers, Monopoly, and chess in the closet.”
Becca rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to play a game and it was a busy day despite it snowing. I just want to relax and unwind.”
Adria knew better. She petted Devin’s dogs, hoping to sneak in a few more dog treats because she wanted to make sure they were happy and eating enough. Christmas was all about bringing joy, and if no one else but his fur babies were happy, she would make it happen.
“Then why are you sitting there looking at your face?” Adria sipped the last of her third cocoa, thankful the wholesale food store had a giant box she’d thought to buy before they came.
“Because I have this awful zit in my face. I never get zits anymore and it’s kinda weird at our age, don’t you think? Do you see any wrinkles?” Becca turned to face her, a serene, camera-ready look on her face.
