Page 76 of Deck the Hauls

I stared at Lucia. Was driving across the entire country by herself in winter safe?

“It’ll be fun. I like driving, and I’ll get to crank up the music and sing my way across the country, seeing some more of it as I go. I’ll go via the southern route to reduce the risk of snowstorms. I’ve never been to Arizona, Texas, or Tennessee. I’ll be fine, even if I don’t have a Dana to drive me home.” Lucia grinned, raising an eyebrow. “I really like Dana, by the way.”

“I like her too,” I said, ignoring her not-so-subtle insinuations.

“Are you two dating?” Lucia asked, dropping any attempt at subtlety.

“No,” I said as a runner flashed past us, breathing heavily.

“I feel like there’s a but...”

I let out a deep breath. Why was I so reluctant to talk to Lucia about it? She knew I was pan. “Well, we did hook up⁠—"

“Emily! Lucia!” an elderly man with a shock of white hair said, coming around from behind us.

My face drained as I recognized him.

“Morning, Father Santoro,” Lucia called out, completely unfazed.

“I hope to see you both in church on Sunday.”

His blue eyes fixed on mine. Oh god. Did Father Santoro just overhear me confessing that I’d slept with Dana?

I’d stopped attending regular church services in my late teens. I still went to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and on Easter Sunday with my family, but that was it. Given what happened on Wednesday night and the number of ‘sinful’ thoughts I’d had about Dana lately, attending church was definitely not advisable. Nor was talking loudly about sleeping with women. I should have been more careful.

—-

When we returned to the house, a pile of boxes full of Christmas decorations sat on the lawn. I smiled. Almost decoration time. Could I convince Dana to stay and help? Knowing her feelings toward Christmas, probably not. My smile wavered. I didn’t want her to leave.

Upstairs, the pile of clothes and note I’d left outside the spare bedroom had disappeared and the shower was running.

I jogged back downstairs and put on the coffee. Dana would need it. I looked in the cupboard and pulled out a few breakfast options.

I’d just clicked the coffee pot off when a loud grunting caught my attention. I walked into the hallway to find Dad struggling up the last few steps from the basement with a large box of decorative bows.

“Here, let me help you.” I grabbed one end of the box to lighten his load.

We’d only taken a few steps when Dana appeared in the hallway.

I grinned. My jeans were a little short, my green cashmere sweater strained slightly over her shoulders and biceps, but she still looked good. The bags under her eyes had disappeared and her face had some of its usual color back.

“Hi Dana,” Dad said. “Sleep well?”

“Yes, thank you. I think that’s the best sleep I’ve ever had—certainly the longest.” Dana’s mouth curved up.

“I just made you a pot of coffee. It’s next to the stove, and I also left out some breakfast food. I’ll just finish helping Dad with this box and come back up.”

“I can get her sorted,” Mom said, her head popping out through the kitchen doorway. “Come on in, Dana.”

Dana hobbled down the hall and disappeared into the kitchen. My chest constricted. Was she sore from clearing the snow yesterday?

Dad held open the front door and I dropped the box on the front steps. Lucia was already on the lawn wrestling with a baby reindeer that refused to stay upright.

Across the road, the Guo’s were now on their roof, arguing while they tied down a gigantic blow-up snowman who was piloting a helicopter. I grinned. They generally seemed like a very loving couple, but every year without fail they’d have passionate arguments while they decorated their house. Also without fail, every year when it was all done, they’d stand on the sidewalk, arms wrapped around each other’s waists, and admire their work. Mr. Guo caught me looking at him and waved at us, losing his balance in the process. Mrs. Guo grabbed hold of him, stopping him from tumbling down just in time. I winced. At least the assortment of blow-up Disney characters on his lawn might have broken his fall if Mrs. Guo hadn’t caught him.

The professional decorators’ vans were parked farther down the street, a team of people wearing green hoodies working steadily to cover the Sciarrone’s bare trees in tiny Christmas lights.

Dad and I got to work attaching the giant red bows under each window.