Chapter 1
Beth McIntyre
After breakfast on the morning of Christmas Eve, I’m in the kitchen packing for a two-night stay at our home in Kenilworth, just half an hour north of Chicago. My husband has a beautiful, private estate on the shores of Lake Michigan, with enough bedrooms to host his entire family of seven siblings, their spouses, and kids; their parents; plus my mom. It’s become a family tradition that all the McIntyres spend Christmas together under one roof for two nights. I’m pretty sure it’s Bridget and Calum’s favorite time of the year—when they have all their family under one roof. Especially the grandkids.
This year is extra special as we have a brand-new family member to welcome. Just two months ago, Molly and Jamie celebrated the arrival of their newest baby.
This morning, Shane and I, and our kids, exchanged Christmas gifts with Sam and Cooper, our best friends and housemates. Now they’re packing to go spend Christmas with Sam’s mom and sister in Dayton, Ohio.
As I walk past the kitchen table, I feel a light tug on my sleeve.
“Mama?”
“Yes, sweetheart?” I glance down to see the eager, beaming face of my three-year-old son, Luke. He’s growing like a weed, and his vocabulary is expanding just as rapidly.
He frowns as he stares down at his breakfast of scrambled eggs and buttered toast cut into triangles. “Does Santa know where we’ll be on Christmas?”
“Yes, darling. Don’t worry. Santa will know where to find us.”
His frown deepens. “But we won’t behere. We’ll be at ourotherhouse. What if he can’t find us?”
“Mom-mom-mom!” Ava bangs her sippy cup on the high chair tray with one hand while she reaches for a piece of egg with her other and shoves it into her mouth.
When there’s a knock on the back patio door, Luke jumps up to let his cousin Aiden in.
Aiden wipes his snow boots on the floor mat. “I’m all packed and ready to go, Aunt Beth,” he says as he follows Luke back to the kitchen table.
“Do you think Santa will know where to find us?” Luke asks his older and far wiser cousin. Luke idolizes Aiden.
When Aiden appears confused by the question, I fill him in. “Luke is worried thatSantawon’t know where to find us on Christmas morning—you know, since we’ll be at the house in Kenilworth.”
Aiden, who’s very mature for a nine-year-old, nods. “Don’t worry, Luke.Santawill know where we are.” And then Aiden winks at me, just in case I’m not aware he’s too grown up to believe in Santa.
Luke nods, seemingly reassured. If Aiden says there’s nothing to worry about, then Luke is satisfied. His older cousin is infallible in his eyes.
“You better hurry and finish your breakfast so you can get ready to go,” Aiden says. “My dad says there’s going to be a big snow storm today, and we need to get to the house before it hits. I can’t wait to go outside and make a snowman.”
“I want to make a snowman!” Luke says. “Mama, can I make a snowman, too?”
“Of course, you can. But Aiden is right. You need to finish your breakfast so we can leave.”
“I will!” Luke says as he races back to his seat at the table and hastily shovels the last of his breakfast into his mouth.
“Luke, slow down before you choke.” As I’m packing Ava’s sippy cups and baby spoons into my supply bag, Shane walks into the kitchen.
“Our luggage is packed in the SUV,” he says. “Did I miss anything?”
“I think that’s everything except for this bag here. I packed snacks for the kids and Ava’s things.”
Shane slips his arms around my waist and leans in to kiss my cheek. “You know Elly will have everything the kids could possibly need.”
Elly Peterson and her husband, George, keep our Kenilworth home operating smoothly. Elly is the housekeeper, and George maintains the property and the grounds.
“I don’t want to take any chances,” I say. “Most of the local shops will be closed over the holiday.”
Shane looks into the bag of snacks and chuckles. “Honey, we’re only going for two days.”
“I know, but with my luck, I’ll forget to pack the one thing they need.”
