Page 88 of A Newport Christmess

“That you chose it to spite me.”

“It wasn’t the only reason I chose it.” Nikki sent me a knowing smile. “But it was probably the main one.”

Julie glanced around the entryway. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married at Rosecliff tomorrow. Mom would have loved to be here.”

A moment of silence fell over all four of us.

“She’s here,” Nikki finally whispered, her gaze settling on the gingerbread houses. “Oh, Quinn! Look at how those turned out.” Nikki hurried over to where the replica of Rosecliff was, her eyes eagerly taking in every detail of the house, the elaborate white pattern intricately free-handed across every surface of the gingerbread.

Julie joined her. “When you said gingerbread houses, I was thinking like the ones we used to make—like the one Quinn made with Grandma—not these. They’re perfect.”

Quinn’s hands were clasped in front of her, her knuckles blanching from her grip and her cheeks a beautiful pink. “I’m glad they turned out alright.”

Nikki scoffed. “Alright? They’re exquisite. And to think you had to start over yesterday morning on Rosecliff. I was sick to my stomach when Landon told me about it. I’m so sorry that happened.”

Quinn gave a small shrug. “It all worked out.”

“Well, we missed you.” Nikki’s gaze slid to me. “Didn’t we, Landon?”

“She’s already been informed of my moping.”

“That is the perfect word for it,” Nikki said with a laugh.

Julie nodded, smiling at Quinn. “It really is.”

Quinn pulled her lips inward. “I’m sad I missed it.”

Nikki stepped toward Quinn and took her hand. “At least you’ll be able to make it to the rehearsal dinner tonight. Do you know what you’re wearing yet?”

Quinn glanced down at her outfit—the same one she’d worn to the bachelorette party. “This, I guess. Again. I didn’t really pack anything else.”

Nikki brightened. “Not that I don’t love the outfit, because I absolutely do, but Julie and I adore playing dress up. What do you say? Can we take you shopping?”

Quinn was shaking her head with vigor. “I’m sure you both have so much to do today.”

Julie stepped to Quinn’s other side. “Actually, after this, we have nothing planned until our nail appointment at two. Honestly.”

Nikki pulled out her imploring pout. “And Julie was just saying that she wished we had an excuse to be gone a little longer from the kids.”

“I left a bottle for Reid, and my dad and Sandra keep giving the other three loads of sweets.” Julie rolled her eyes. “So between them and Kade’s over-the-top spoiling, they’ve turned into demon children.”

Quinn looked from one pleading expression to the other, and I already knew there was no hope of her refusing. My sisters were frighteningly adept at the art of persuasion.

Quinn finally gave a timid nod. “Only if you’re sure you have time.”

Nikki and Julie shared triumphant smiles. “We’re positive,” Nikki said, and her gaze moved to me. “The two of you didn’t have plans, did you?”

“Nope.” And I had zero problem tagging along to watch Quinn’s fashion show, especially if it was going to be anything like her dress fitting. An image of Quinn in her floor-length red dress sent my heart pounding. “Kade’s babysitting the guys, so my day is free as well.”

“Perfect,” Julie said. “Because you can go help Josh with the kids. They’ve been begging for you to come see them since you stopped by the other morning.”

I opened my mouth to protest but quickly closed it again. Maybe an afternoon out with my sisters was exactly what Quinn needed, especially if they planned to use their persuasive abilities in my favor. Besides, I had been meaning to go see the kids. “Sounds great.”

Julie threw me her keys. “You can take my car.”

* * *

“I need a break,” I said, pushing off the floor and huffing for dramatic effect as all three kids clung to my back. “You three have gotten too strong.”