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“Day before, by eight p.m.”
Holly nodded. “I can close the shop a few hours early. Where do I need to pick them up from?”
“Mistletoe Reformed Church. I’ll put your name and arrival time on the volunteer sheet.”
“Might as well make it a family affair,” Chris said. “How many meals are going out?”
“The last count was seventy-five,” Noel answered.
“But the number is going up.” Nick chuckled. “I guess people don’t want to cook this year.”
Merry grabbed the potatoes from the center and dropped a spoonful on her plate with a clack, drawing everyone’s attention. “I’m in too, if you still need people.”
“Thanks, sis. I knew I could count on you all to help out. And Clark—” Nick held his beer bottle up in a toast. “Glad to have you here. If anything, you’re keeping this workaholic—” Nick nudged his dad with his arm. “—from driving the rest of us nuts.”
Clark tipped his water glass in response. “Happy to help.”
“It’s been a blessing having Clark and Jace,” Victoria gushed, reaching out to ruffle his son’s hair. “He helps me bake and is becoming quite the chess player.”
“When you get finished wiping the floor with my mom, Jace, come find me. I’m the chess champion in this house.” Chris cleared his throat and Merry continued with a grumbled, “Only because my dad doesn’t play anymore.”
“Although I may come out of retirement for the right player.” Chris winked at Jace from the end of the table and Jace grinned.
Clark took the potatoes from Merry and put a small scoop on Jace’s plate.
“Dad…” Jace whined.
Clark raised a brow at his son’s whine, delivering a silent warning. They’d had a long discussion before coming over for dinner that Jace had to try a bite of everything to be polite. Even au gratin potatoes.
Jace stabbed a fork at the white ovals smothered in orange cheese sauce without another word.
Merry leaned closer to Clark, her hair brushing the skin of his arm as she addressed Jace. “You don’t like potatoes?”
Jace looked at Clark before answering her. “Not really, but I have to try it.”
“Do you like ketchup?”
Jace perked up. “Yeah!”
“You want to try some on those bad boys?”
“Sure.”
Merry hopped up from the table and went to the fridge. Clark ignored the warm glow in his chest at the kind gesture. All of the Winters family seemed to be inherently good with kids, even if Merry swore she didn’t have much experience.
Merry came back to the table, handing Jace the bottle. “There you go, Jace.”
“Thank you.” Jace popped the lid open and squeezed a mound on top of the dollop of potatoes. Clark checked on Victoria to make sure she wasn’t offended, but she simply smiled at Jace as he took a large bite of ketchup-coated potatoes.
“This is really good,” Jace announced.
Merry grinned, holding up a bite of her own reddened potatoes. “I’m glad.”
Clark turned to Merry, who was also watching Jace take another bite.
“Thanks for that. We are working on eating at other people’s houses. It’s not a normal thing for us.”
Her hazel eyes locked with his, her mouth twitching. “It’s no trouble. I was a picky eater and these potatoes aren’t my favorite.”
