He remembered meeting Katie in the general store and seeing the basket of tinsel she’d bought. Looking around the room at each glittery surface, it was easy to see where it had gone.
“The room’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Said Mabel. “Katie hung most of the decorations before the other girls gave her hand.”
“Your guests must love coming in here.” The combination of fairy lights and decorations could have looked like a complete mess but, somehow, Katie had made it work. “I didn’t realize Ben grew trees as tall as this one.”
“He has some that are three times this size,” Katie said from behind him. “Do you like it?”
“It’s incredible.” He smiled when he saw what she was wearing. A picture of Mickey Mouse dressed like Santa covered the front of her T-shirt. Beneath the image, the words, “T’is the season to sparkle,” were surrounded by small, glittery beads.
Katie placed three gifts under the tree. “I found the T-shirt online.”
“It’s very Christmassy.”
“That was the idea,” she said with a smile.
Over the sound of Christmas carols, he heard the excited chatter of the boys returning from Zac and Willow’s truck.
“Ho, ho, ho,” Zac said happily from the entryway. He walked into the living room with a Santa hat on his head and his daughter in his arms.
One of the boys followed him with the stroller, which was laden with gifts. The other two were carrying containers of food and baby things.
“Put the presents under the tree and the food in the kitchen,” Mabel said. “You might even find some cookies on the counter.”
In double-quick time, the boys offloaded the presents and rushed into the kitchen. By the time Peter had placed his gifts under the tree, Mabel was holding Tiffany, and ten other people had joined them in the living room.
After Katie introduced everyone, she pulled him into the relative calm of the kitchen. The boys had disappeared somewhere, leaving the red-headed woman he’d seen at Ethan and Diana’s wedding alone in the room.
Katie gave her a hug. “Aunt Beatrice, this is Peter Bennett, a friend of mine.”
Beatrice wiped her fingers on a dishtowel and shook his hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Peter. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too. I liked the dress you wore at Diana and Ethan’s wedding.”
“Thank you. I made it a few days after we received the invitation. I love dressing up and a wedding is such a special time.” A young girl squealed and Beatrice looked through the window at the children building a snowman. “Help yourself to a cookie. I need to make sure everyone’s behaving themselves.”
Katie handed her aunt a jacket. “If you see any of my sisters, can you tell them to meet me in the kitchen?”
“I will but, if they don’t show up, send a message on our Facebook group.”
“I forgot about that.”
“Your Mom hasn’t.” Beatrice whispered. “We might have to disable it after lunch.”
Katie grinned at Peter. “I have the perfect person who can do that.”
“Me?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to upset Mabel.
“Apart from Barbara, you’re the most techie person in the house. If anyone can crash a Facebook group, you can.”
Beatrice opened the back door. “Or we could hide Mabel’s phone. Being addicted to social media isn’t good for anyone’s health.” And with those parting words, Beatrice left to check on the children.
Katie filled a tray with mugs. “I’m making hot chocolate. Would you like one?”
Peter sniffed the air. The sweet scent of melted chocolate filled his lungs and made him sigh. “That doesn’t smell like the powdered variety.”
“It isn’t. This is the real deal.” Katie lifted the lid on a saucepan and showed him the simmering liquid. “How does a drink made with melted chocolate, giant marshmallows, double-whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sound?”
“Like heaven.” His heart pounded when he saw her mischievous smile. “Apart from the hot chocolate, what’s the best thing you like about Christmas?”
