“I’ll have to find a wife first. But, yes, I’d like to have a family.” As he poured boiling water into their mugs, he tried to imagine having a baby. It was so far from the reality of his life, it wasn’t easy. “You and Zac are the only people I know who have started a family. I’m amazed by what you do.”
“Believe me, you’ll learn fast. If you have any questions, you can always give us a call.” Willow bit into her muffin and groaned. “These are delicious. I know you enjoy coming to Sapphire Bay. Have you thought about moving here?”
“It wouldn’t be possible with the job I have.”
“Why?”
An image of Katie filled his mind. Usually, he had a list of reasons why living somewhere else wouldn’t work. This time, none of the issues seemed insurmountable, especially if it gave him more time with her.
He wouldn’t have to stay here forever. Katie was moving back to Los Angeles in April and he could return to New York at the same time. But, with everything he needed to do, it was the absolute worst time to think about moving. “I need to be in New York to speak to the funders for the next phase of my project.”
“You could fly back for a few days at a time. Besides, you’ve made a lot of friends here. You could stay with Zac and me. We have plenty of room.”
“You wouldn’t be looking for a free babysitter, would you?”
A mischievous grin lit Willow’s face. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Well, just so you know, I’m happy to look after Tiffany—as long as you give me good instructions. But if I did move, I’d have to find somewhere else to live. You and Zac have been generous enough with your home.”
“Don’t worry about that. We enjoy having you stay.” Willow looked thoughtful as she sipped her hot chocolate. “I could look for a rental for you. It’s amazing what you can find when you already live here.”
Peter’s cell phone beeped and he read the text. “I have to make a call. I’ll think about what you’ve said.”
“Good. Tiffany will enjoy getting to know her Uncle Peter better.”
He glanced inside the cot and smiled at the sleeping baby. He’d enjoy getting to know her, too.
* * *
Katie slidher bridesmaid’s dress over her head. In less than an hour, Diana would be marrying Ethan in The Connect Church.
From the moment her parents had arrived at the inn, it had been a whirlwind of activity. Between doing their hair and makeup, fixing dress and suit malfunctions, and fitting in something to eat, everyone was super excited about the wedding.
“Are you nearly ready?” Barbara yelled up the stairs.
“Coming!” Grabbing her shoes, Katie flew downstairs, hoping she hadn’t missed Diana’s grand entrance. Even after yesterday’s rehearsal, her sister refused to tell anyone what her dress was like. Katie just hoped it was everything Diana had dreamed about.
Walking into the living room was like entering Santa’s workshop. The enormous tree she’d bought from Ben was the only thing that wasn’t moving. Her mom and dad were rushing around the room looking for someone’s shoes. Barbara was putting the finishing touches on Penny’s makeup, and Charlie, their beautiful Golden Labrador, was trying to eat the ribbons on his vest. If they weren’t careful, he’d bump into the table holding all the Christmas gifts for their extended family and eat those.
“I’m here,” she yelled to no one in particular.
“Have you seen Diana’s shoes?” her mom asked. “She can’t find them anywhere.”
Katie looked around the room. “What do they look like?”
Her mom pulled out her cell phone and showed Katie a picture of white high-heels with pretty pink flowers on top. “She had them an hour ago, but she doesn’t know where they’ve gone.”
Katie looked down at Charlie. He didn’t look particularly guilty, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t buried them in the garden.
“We’ve already checked his favorite holes,” her dad said.
“And he doesn’t have a drop of dirt anywhere on him,” Barbara said as she applied another coat of lipstick to Penny’s mouth.
Instead of looking around the living room, Katie walked into the kitchen. Although no one was in here, it was just as jam-packed as the living area. Except this time, it was full of holiday cookies and Christmas treats.
A heaviness settled in her chest as she looked at the gingerbread men they’d decorated. Last December, whenever she’d called her grandma, she was in the kitchen, preparing for Christmas. It didn’t matter how many people were coming for a meal, there was always more than enough food for everyone.
Gingerbread men were her grandma’s favorite Christmas treat. She’d spend hours decorating the spicy cookies with colorful frosting and sweet candy. Until Katie and her sisters left high school, each of the students in their classes received a crunchy gingerbread man before Christmas. It was a tradition Katie intended to keep when she had children.
