I hadn't exactly figured out what was going on between us yet. When I did, I planned on telling Angela before I shared that information with my brothers.
I watched while Ayla pulled the ornaments out of the box, oohing and aahing over each one. Most of them were plain ornaments, but there were a few traditional characters in the mix, along with snowmen and angels.
Angela helped her choose a good branch, and every once in a while, one of them would smile at me.
The last few months I'd been wondering what my next step should be. I had a successful business, the joint venture with my brothers was taking off, but something was missing. Could it be these two?
"Can you put this one up high?" Ayla jumped to show that she couldn't reach.
"Of course." I took the ornament from her and hung it on a higher branch. Then I took a step back. "How's that?"
"Perfect." Then she handed me another one, directing me where she wanted it. We worked together like that until the top of the tree was full.
Then we helped Angela with the lower branches.
"I'm hungry," Ayla finally said when we were down to our last few ornaments.
Angela stood and brushed off her jeans. "I'll get lunch ready."
"No." I moved toward the kitchen, not wanting her to see the surprise yet. "I'll get lunch. You two finish up in here."
Angela gave me a look.
I had plans for a big reveal. And I didn't want to miss the excitement on Ayla's face. "Ayla, do you like PB&J?"
"Duh."
That was easy then. I made a bunch of sandwiches to feed everyone. I walked outside and set a plate on the porch. "This is for you."
"PB&J?" Morgan asked.
"It's what Ayla wanted, and I didn't have time to make anything fancy." I'd planned the holiday decorating portion of the day but not anything else. "How are things coming?"
The railings were wrapped in garland and lights.
Maverick stood on the ladder. "We're working on the roof."
"How much more time do you need?"
"A couple more hours?" Morgan asked.
"I'll find something to keep them busy. The tree is done."
Morgan shook his head. "Maybe you should have made a fancier lunch then."
I edged toward the door. "You worry about your job, and I'll handle mine."
"What is that exactly? You're doing something for the daughter and not the mother?" Maverick leaned on the top of the ladder.
"I'm sure both of them will enjoy it," I said, hoping they didn't ask any more questions because I didn't have the answers.
"So you're not trying to woo the lingerie-shop owner?" Morgan lowered his voice.
My jaw tightened. "That's none of your business."
"See, that's where you're wrong." Morgan grabbed a sandwich and took a big bite. "You brought us into this, and we deserve an explanation."
"All you need to know is that a little girl and her mother are going to have a great Christmas, and it's all because of you." I pointed between them.
