Then Dad rounded the corner, still wearing his plaid pajama bottoms and a plain white t-shirt. Mom waved at him with a soft smile of familiarity.
“Hi, honey, I’m home.”
"Hey there, stranger," he replied, pulling her into his embrace.
After more hugging and chatting was exchanged, we migrated into the kitchen. Mom unloaded her gifts on the table, while I fired up the coffee maker. Dean finally made an appearance, wearing a snug-fitting dark green henley that accentuated his broad shoulders and biceps. But he didn’t wear his cut—an unusual occurrence.
“Dean, wow, I haven’t seen you in ages.” Mom patted the chair beside her. “Have a seat. Give me all the dirt you’ve got on Barrett.”
“Honestly, Sharon, I haven’t been around much lately,” Dean replied, sitting next to her. “I quit the Reckless Order and hit the road for the past few years.”
“Really? Any particular reason? That club was your heart and soul for so long.”
He shrugged and flicked a brief glance in my direction.
“I guess I just felt like something was missing.”
“But you’re back now,” Mom pointed out.
“Ruby bullied him into staying for Christmas.” Dad retrieved leftover cake from last night’s dessert, dividing slices onto plates. “She’s been dragging him all over town.”
Mom arched an eyebrow.
“Really? I thought you hated Christmas. Why the change of heart?”
Dean scrubbed at his palm with his thumb, deliberating.
“It felt fake when I was a kid. Even though my folks were at each other’s throats day and night, they still insisted that Christmas had to be perfect. It left a bad taste in my mouth. All that holiday cheer was…”
“Forced,” Mom finished for him with a sympathetic nod.
Dad brought the cake to the table while I handed out cups of coffee. Mom accepted her mug, breathing in the steam for a moment.
“Well, if you hang around Ruby long enough, her infectious Christmas spirit will rub off on you. Fair warning.”
“Dean has been a good sport about everything I’ve put him through,” I said, taking the final seat at the table.
Mom hummed, sipping her coffee.
“That’s what happens when a man falls in love with a woman. He’ll worship the ground she walks on.”
Silence descended on the room. My heart plummeted to my toes. Mom looked serene, fixing me with a steady look across the table.
Dad glanced between me, Mom, and Dean. Then back to me again. I mustered a nervous laugh.
“That’s ridiculous. What are you talking about—?”
“Don’t lie to me, Ruby,” Mom said. Calm. Quiet. Controlled. And utterly deadly.
She had me pinned like a bug to a board. And she’d barely been here for five minutes.
“Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on?” Dad demanded.
I sighed. The cat was out of the bag now. There was no turning back. Just as I took a breath to speak, Dean rose to his feet. He came to stand behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“It’s true,” he said. “I love your daughter. She’s full of life and spreads joy everywhere she goes. She’s kind and generous, smart and funny.”
Dad frowned.
