Page 37 of We Wish You a Messy Christmas

Her forehead creased slightly. “No doubt.”

He sat in the chair next to her as they sipped their drinks. “I’m so proud of you, Jane.”

“Proud of me?” Her brows arched.

“The way you’re handling things. I know this Christmas hasn’t been easy for you.” And, he thought, it could get even harder if Olivia and Malcolm moved in the direction he suspected they were headed. Not that he planned to mention that.

She sighed and looked around, frowning slightly, probably disapproving of Lulu’s bright touches still sprinkled about. “You’re right. So much this year has been out of control and extremely difficult. I have to admit I really did want to cancel Christmas.”

“Yes, but look at you. Out here being cheerful.” He beamed at her. “And beautiful. Honestly, sweetie, I’m very impressed.”

“I’m trying.” Her smile looked weak but genuine.

Rob glanced at the flameless fireplace, white and pristine and cold.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Jane said quietly.

“It’s Christmas, Jane. Remember when we used to have real wood fires in that?”

“Back when it was brick and ugly . . . before I got it refaced with that pretty white stone,” she said with a grim expression. “You really want to blacken it now?”

He barely nodded. “But it’s okay. Never mind.”

She shrugged and took another sip of her drink. “Go ahead.”

He blinked. “Seriously?”

“That’s what it’s for. Light it.”

He got up eagerly, pointing to her pretty stack of birch logs. “And those?”

“Why not.” Her tone sounded flat but when he turned to look at her, she gave him a lopsided smile. “I can always get more.”

“Alrighty.” He untied the ribbon and neatly stacked the logs in the fireplace, shoving in some twisted pieces of today’s newspaper here and there. “The wood’s certainly well dried,” he said as he pulled out a long wooden matchstick from the sleek lacquered box. These weren’t only for show, since Jane occasionally used a match to light a candle. The flame quickly flared up around the logs and paper, and he stood back to admire it.

Smoke began to billow out.

“The flue!” Jane yelled.

“Oh no!” Rob leaped into action.

“Don’t burn yourself,” she cried as he reached in and pulled the metal handle.

Standing up and flailing his arms like fan blades in an attempt to redirect the smoke, he knew it was useless. He turned to Jane with a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that.”

Her cheerful demeanor was cloudy now, but she held out her mug with an impish smile. “Another eggnog might help.”

This time, he held back a bit on the brandy. No point in getting snookered before the guests arrived. By the time he got back, the fire was crackling nicely.

“Very cozy,” he said as he set their refreshed drinks down. “I could light the candles too,” he suggested carefully. He knew that Jane had her own rules about candles. Some were for lighting and some were for show. “If you wanted?”

She nodded. “Go for it.”

“Okay.” But as Rob lifted the hurricane glass to light the arrangement of creamy white candles, he wasn’t sure whether to be happy or concerned. He didn’t want to push her too far. But to emphasize the golden glow of the candles, he used the dimmer to turn down the chandelier. “How’s that?”

“Better. Mom’s dollar store–decorations seem a little less gaudy in this light.” Jane actually smiled. “In fact, it’s beautiful.”

“It is.” He sat down and turned toward her. “Just like you.” And it was true, she really did look beautiful in this light. And with a sweet smile too. It reminded him of how she used to be before she turned into such a control freak. And as they sat there, enjoying the ambiance of fire and candlelight and quiet Christmas music, he tried to remember what had started her on this path in the first place. Oh, he knew it was partly a reaction to her unconventional messy childhood. And he’d always wondered if it was related to the babies she’d lost when Olivia was too small to understand, and the consequent decision to quit trying to increase their family. And maybe it wasn’t that important for him to know all the reasons, but to simply support and encourage her to return to a healthier state.