She was a little disappointed that he would stay as a third wheel when Devin left, at least for the time being. Devin didn't live too far away, so it was possible he could come back and forth and help.
Adria really wanted to have one last beautiful family Christmas for just her and her sister. She and Becca spent a lot of time working out in the world and hardly saw each other anymore. With Becca always traveling and Adria working long hours, it got depressing without having the other around.
They were always there for each other, but it wasn’t like when they were young. Adria missed that and wanted this holiday to be a chance to reconnect, reunite, and spend some time boxing up their mom’s things.
“Anyway, so is he staying, Becca?” She glanced at her sister.
“What?” She snapped her makeup mirror closed and smashed her lips together to distribute the lipstick. “Oh.” She laughed. “Yes, he can stay.”
Adria turned to her new friend. “Okay, you can stay, but you have to put the living room back to the way it was fast.And, if I catch you touching a steak knife, Devin over there is going to escort you off the property with or without your truck.”
Liam nodded. “Great, thanks. I promise I won’t get in the way.”
“Well, I hope…” She remembered the snow as the dogs started barking at the back door. Quickly, she opened the door for them. “Oh my goodness!” The snow had doubled in the time they’d been arguing. “How much snow are we supposed to get?”
The dogs hurried back inside after a few moments and she closed the door. When she turned around, Devin and Becca were trying to use their phones.
“No service, it's a storm.” Devin put his phone back into his pocket.
“Boo. How am I supposed to watch my favorite TV show?” Becca frowned.
Liam chimed in, surprising Adria. “No worries, once I clean up after you are settled, I can show you both how to paint. I have plenty of canvases and paint.”
Adria saw Devin roll his eyes out of the corner of her eye and bit down on her lip so she wouldn’t laugh. “That would be nice. Now I hope you haven’t taken either of our rooms.”
Thankfully, he’d slept in the spare bedroom which was an enormous relief because the last thing she or Becca wanted to do was wash sheets.
Devin was kind enough to bring in the suitcases. “Goodness, who brought the kitchen sink?”
Adria couldn’t suppress her laughter. “Not me. That’s probably Becca’s makeup bag, right, sis?” She smiled sweetly at her sister who leaned against the upstairs railing.
Becca made a face.
“You know Mother said that if we did our faces like that, they would stay that way. That wouldn’t be good for your career unless you want to make a huge career change and come work with me. The dogs and cats won’t care.”
“Don’t start.” Becca turned on her heels and headed to the bedroom, and Adria heard the slam of a door.
“I think you upset her.” Liam was standing close by, a humored look on his face as he looked up.
“Listen, she could be nothing less than gorgeous, ever. Her face is legendary, and even if she was a little less adorable and unforgettable, she’d look like me and I’m not that bad.” Adria smiled. “I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it sometimes, blame it on sharing the same womb for nine months.”
“You’re just as beautiful as she is, but differently. Trust me, I’m a painter. Your face is the same but slightly different. The planes of your face and jawline are smoother than hers, but it gives you a welcoming look.”
Adria wasn’t sure if he’d given her a compliment or merely tried to ease her opinion about herself compared to her sister. Whatever it was, she appreciated it, but would have rather heard it from Devin. She smiled again. “Thanks.”
“You're welcome.”
Devin didn't trust this man even if they did. He knew better and started formulating plans in his head to keep them safe while they were here with Liam.
I’ll have to take the dogs home. I can tell them I am helping him work on his truck, so I have to stay here, but really, I’ll just be keeping an eye on him while I’m trying to do that, day and night. If I have to work around the clock beside him, so it gets done before Christmas, I will. There is no way I am letting anything happen to Becca or Adria.
“Alright, girls, come on, let’s get you home.” He opened up the front door determined to get the dogs home and hurry back. He could always go back and check on them in the morning or at some point maybe insist he take that truck to the town mechanic.
Then he had a brilliant idea when he looked away from his phone to follow the dogs outside. “Well, I guess I’m not going anywhere and it looks like none of us are right now.” The dogs had stopped short on the porch just as he did as the snow was a good three feet and it was still snowing.
The dogs ran back inside and Devin realized he might be here for the long haul, but not for the reason he’d originally anticipated. He turned on his heels, determined to make the best of things. Snowstorms happened often in Seneca Falls and the residents were always prepared and equipped to handle it.
In the morning all will be well. “I think I have no choice but to stay for now. Did anyone see the snow outside?”
