Page 100 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

He shrugged. “Tripp is not one to share until the moment. But at least the town will be lit up two weeks out from Christmas.”

“I usually have my tree up by now,” Nina said.

“We McAllisters have trees that are in pots and still alive. There are about five of them in an area, over there, and when they get too big to bring inside the house, Dad starts potting new seedlings from them. The trees are from the original first one that Mom and Dad had when they moved here.”

“That is a very cool tradition,” Nina said. “Tell me you decorate them though, because I’m not sure we can still be friends otherwise.”

“You don’t want to be my friend, Nina? I must have misread that moment in the bathroom completely when you⁠—”

“Thank you.” She put her hand over his mouth.

“Yes, we decorate our trees,” he said after she’d lowered it. He was smiling now, eyes teasing. “But we don’t decorate until after the town lights go on. Mom prefers it that way.”

“For someone who doesn’t like conforming, she sure has her traditions,” Nina said, her gaze finding Meadow with a small girl on her hip.

“I can’t disagree with that. Now take a seat by the fire, pretty girl, and I’ll get you some warm elderberry wine.”

“Do I want some of your dad’s elderberry wine?”

He leaned in and kissed her right there with his family all around. “Yes, you do.”

It was an odd thing, considering the hell that was going on in her life at the moment, but for the rest of the evening, she felt calmer and, yes, even had moments of happiness.

Finch played with his nieces and nephews, as did all of them. Nina was even coerced into joining a game of skittles. Yes, it was cold, but the fire kept them warm, as did the food and drink. He had been right, the elderberry wine was wonderful, and she was feeling pleasantly mellow.

“Now, Nina. I’m not asking you for any favors, but what do you think of my berry cornmeal cake?” Meadow asked, now standing before her with a plate that held a wedge of cake.

“Are you asking Nina to play favorites, Mom?” Finch said, looking over Meadow’s shoulder. “Because she’s a judge and therefore impartial.”

“She’s just taste testing my berry cornmeal cake for sweetness,” Meadow said, holding out the plate for Nina to take. She wore a kaftan, over which was a thick poncho, and on her head she had on a matching hat with the brim curled up. Nina thought about the time she spent getting dressed in just the right clothes before she left the house every day and wondered maybe if Meadow had it right and not her. Comfort was important. “I want to know if it is sweet enough or needs more honey,” Meadow added.

Nina had forgotten that Tripp asked her to judge the bake-off because LouJean had pulled out, as she was on a strict no-carbs or sugar diet for the month of December, which was just plain wrong considering all the delicious food around at this time of year.

“I want Gaia’s cake.” The words came from Lucas, Sawyer and Birdie’s youngest. He was patting Nina’s knee, which she thought meant he wanted to get up onto her lap. She did as he asked, lifting him to sit across her thighs.

“Okay, buddy, you can help me taste the cake,” she said, taking the plate from Meadow. She broke some off and handed it to the boy.

“Why is Meadow, Gaia?” Nina asked Finch as Meadow was called away.

“It might surprise you to know that Mom didn’t want a traditional name, like Nana or Grandmother, so she went for Gaia, which symbolizes Mother Nature and earth.”

“Cool,” she said and then took a bite. “Ooh, that’s nice. Don’t you think that’s nice, Lucas?”

He nodded, mouth full.

“Do I get some?” Finch asked.

“Not sharing,” Lucas said, reaching for more cake.

“Harsh. I’m your favorite uncle, remember?” Finch said.

Lucas ignored that and ate the cake Nina handed him.

“Great, I’ve been replaced by cake. Want more wine?”

Nina nodded, and he left.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat there with Lucas on her lap. But after the cake, he settled back against her and just lay there, clearly content.