Page 53 of This Christmas

Faye laughed. “That’s a perfect name for a puppy.”

Her sister gave her a look that said what’s up? And we’ll talk later when Joe isn’t sitting right there.

“You’re thinking of moving here?” Faye asked Joe.

He nodded. “Yeah, the place has grown on me.” He turned as the waitress came over to take their drink orders.

“How are things at the house?” Nate asked casually, though his tone was careful. “We heard there was some…”—his eyes moved to Charlotte, who was coloring on the kids menu—“excitement.”

She could tell they had heard what was going on up there and knew that they couldn’t talk freely, not with Charlotte sitting right there.

“Yeah,” Joe said, reaching for the drink the waitress just sat in front of him. “Excitement. Aiden and the rest are up there taking care of… things.”

Ally glanced up in time to see Faye’s eyes flicker with quiet understanding. Word traveled fast in a small town, especially when police sirens and crime scene vans showed up at the lighthouse.

“That’s good,” Faye said, keeping her tone light. “But you three were okay? Nothing…”

Ally reached over and squeezed her sister’s hand lightly. Then she signed a very quick description of what had happened the night before and that morning. She knew that Charlotte knew basic sign language, but figured they were safe keeping their conversation brief.

“I’m glad you’re okay and that Joe was there,” Faye signed back.

Joe took that moment to sign a reply. “I hope Aiden finds clues as to who shot him.”

“Mama,” Charlotte whined. “I need to go potty.”

She shifted out of the booth and took her daughter to the restroom, knowing Joe would fill them in on whatever questions they had while they were gone.

When they returned, Charlotte leaned over to Faye and said. “Mommy says we can make cookies tomorrow. Wanna come?”

Faye smiled warmly. “I wish I could honey, but I have to work. Maybe I can have one of those cookies when we come over on Christmas day?”

“Yes, I’ll save you one.” Charlotte cheered and went back to coloring.

Their waitress stopped by with steaming pizzas, one loaded with veggies, the other with just cheese for Charlotte. The conversation shifted to holiday plans and the Christmas parade the following week.

Still, Ally could feel the undercurrent of tension at the table—small glances exchanged between adults, half-finished sentences that carried weight without words.

When Charlotte giggled at Olaf trying to sneak a piece of her crust, Nate leaned slightly toward Joe, keeping his voice low. “Aiden just texted me and says that forensics is in there now and that it should be safe for you three to return in about an hour.”

Joe nodded once. “Thanks.”

Ally didn’t miss the glance Nate gave her—sympathetic, protective. “Are you okay?” he asked her quietly.

She smiled faintly, keeping her tone even for Charlotte’s sake. “I’m… hanging in there. It’s just a lot to take in.”

Faye reached across the table and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You don’t have to dealt with this alone. You can come stay at our place?”

The lump that had been sitting in Ally’s throat since morning rose again, and she swallowed hard and forced a small smile. “Thank you. But we’re good. Joe is staying there, watching out for us.”

Olaf barked suddenly, breaking the tension as Charlotte giggled, offering him a crust.

“Guess that’s his way of saying he wants dessert too,” Joe said, grinning. “Maybe we can walk across to the Brew-Ha-Ha for some hot chocolate and cookies,” he suggested.

When the check came, Nate insisted on covering it. “Consider it a welcome-to-town gift,” he said, smiling at Joe.

As they bundled up to leave, Faye hugged Ally tight. “Call me if you need anything,” she whispered. “Anything.”

The cold air hit Ally’s face as they stepped back onto the street. The warm glow of the town square invited them ahead while snowflakes continued to fall in thick clumps.