His jaw clenched harder. “None.”
“Maybe he doesn’t think he’s welcome.”
“Maybe he’s not, and you know what? I don’t fucking care.”
Tryst appeared beside us with the quiet presence of someone who’d been watching and waiting for the right moment. “May I speak with you both?”
Snapper’s shoulders tensed, but he nodded.
“Don’t pass judgment before you understand the full story,” Tryst said. “Talk to your brother. Listen to what he has to say.”
“He lied to me?—”
“And you’ve never made a mistake? Never done something you regretted?” Tryst rested his hand on Snapper’s shoulder. “It’s Christmas Eve. A time for forgiveness. For family. Heed the lesson from the Christmas Blessing, and do not let pride destroy you.”
While Snapper didn’t answer, I saw something shift in his expression. Resistance giving way to consideration, even if he wasn’t ready to admit it.
When every bottle was labeled and loaded into cases, Baron asked for everyone’s attention. “I’ve just spoken to my contact at the auction house. We’re confirmed for seven PM on New Year’s Eve. They’re expecting record attendance with collectors coming in from around the world.”
I closed my eyes and said my own silent prayer of thanks to Marilyn, my great-grandmother, who I was convinced had somehow led me to her journals and gave me the strength to do this.
Snapperand I arrived at my parents’ house just as the sun was setting.
“Who’s here?” I asked, pointing to an SUV I didn’t recognize.
My mother smiled. “You’ll see.”
We walked inside, and I heard it immediately—a baby crying. Not just any baby.
“Beatrice?” I called out.
“In here!” Felicity shouted from the living room.
I rushed through the house and found my sister on the couch, my niece in her arms, and Wagner standing behind them.
“Oh my God, I’m so happy to see you!” With the baby between us, Felicity and I hugged in the most awkward way possible. “When did you get in?”
“A few hours ago. We wanted to surprise you for Christmas.” She looked down at Beatrice, who’d stopped crying and was now staring up at me with dark, unfocused eyes. “She’s doing so well. The doctors said her recovery is ahead of schedule.”
Relief flooded through me so fiercely it stole my breath. My niece was okay. My sister was here. My parents were home. Snapper stood in the doorway, watching with so much warmth, I was back to fearing I was dreaming.
After a few minutes of listening to stories about my niece’s brilliance, I asked Felicity if she’d mind if I took a quick shower.
She waved her hand in front of her face. “If you didn’t say you were going to soon, I would’ve suggested it.”
I laughed and shook my head. Some things never change. Like older sisters.
I kissed Snapper’s cheek, promising to hurry back as I made my way upstairs. I showered quickly, standing under the hot water just long enough for some of the knots in my shoulders to ease. I changed into clean clothes, ran a comb through my wet hair, and was almost to the bottom of the stairs when I heard Snapper and Felicity speaking quietly in the dining room.
“I need to tell her the truth,” Snapper said.
I froze.
“No. It doesn’t matter now. Everything worked out. There’s no reason she ever needs to know.”
“But what if she finds out some other way?”
“How? Who would tell her?”
