“It is. I’ve had it since I was a child.”
It was flat and the size of a palm. The paint long worn off.
“You kept it.” Max stood before him.
“I did.” He looked up at his brother, and something passed between them. Understanding, acceptance, whatever it was, it was the beginning of something for them. Rory knew it, just as Max did.
“Did you make this for Rory, Max?” Samantha asked.
“I did. When he was no older than Beth.”
“Then it is the perfect decoration for the top of the tree, if Rory will allow us to keep it?” Emily said the words from behind him, her hands on his shoulders.
“I would like that.” Rory handed it to Max. “It’s had a tough life.”
“As you have.” Max closed the angel inside his hand. “Thank you.” The words were heartfelt. “Are you sure you wish it to stay with us?”
“Yes.” Rory had a need to leave something behind of himself when he left.
“Give it to me, then, and I’ll attach something to hang it with,” Emily said. “Who will climb up there and place it?”
“Me,” Cam said, resigned. “The rest of you are clumsy.”
Grumbles accompanied him a few minutes later as he took the angel and started to climb. Max and Dev steadied the ladder as he leaned out. They did it without a thought; they were simply there for each other. To support in whatever capacity.
Maddie and Rory never had that. He looked around the room and found Kate. She was dancing with Beth in her arms, her smile so sweet it hurt his chest, and it was then he realized. She’d become special to him. How was that possible when he’d barely had a conversation with the woman?
“Gifts!” one of the little girls squealed. Rory had forgotten her name but knew she belonged to Lord and Lady Sinclair.
“Right, let’s all sit then, and we can play,” the duchess said, clapping her hands, then motioning them all to the table where, Rory noted, there were a pile of things in the middle. Some in paper baskets, others in little bags, and yet more decorated with ribbon or flowers.
Luke had coerced Rory into buying a small gift at the fair. He was now glad he had and that it already sat in the pile, again thanks to his nephew.
“Sit.” Lady Sinclair waved him into a seat.
The table was long and soon full of both adults and children. Some on laps, others sharing a chair.
“There is a spare seat beside Kate, Rory,” one of the twins said.
Of course it would be beside her.
He sat and tried to ignore the fact his thigh brushed hers.
“Right. I’ve put all your names in the bag.” James held up a small velvet sack. “Rory can pick the first one out.”
“Have you told him the rules?” Rose asked. “It can be quite confusing.”
“A gift is selected and opened. If it’s liked, it’s kept, if it’s not, it’s swapped for one of the other gifts on the table. Only one swap allowed. The person you take the gift from is then allowed to select another one.”
Rory looked at the duke like he’d grown another head.
“We are not a family who likes to do things simply. You’ll catch on,” James added. “It’s really quite simple.”
“He’s serious?” Rory looked at Kate.
“It’s fun. Just watch, even you’ll get it.”
“Even me?” She was teasing him, and he liked it. Liked that she felt comfortable enough around him to do so, especially after that kiss they’d shared under the tree.
