Peter sighed and leaned his head against the side of her arm. “You could work here. Daddy works here, and Mommy, too.”
Rather than go into details and lengthy explanations, Lindy opened the book. “Maybe someday,” she said, hoping that would satisfy her sweet nephew.
“When Mommy says ‘someday,’ that means no,” he said with a pout.
Lindy laughed. The kid was smarter than she gave him credit. “Are you ready for the story?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Okay.”
The story was one Lindy had from her own childhood, about the donkey in the stable who stood guard over the manger. The much-loved book was held together with duct tape on the binding. As she read the story, she glanced down at Peter and watched as his eyes slowly drifted closed, even while he fought to stay awake. By the time she finished the last page, he was slouched against her side and sound asleep.
Chad sat down on the ottoman in front of Lindy. “Tell me about you and Billy,” he said, not bothering to ease into the subject.
“What’s there to tell? We connected and I’m enjoying his company.”
“Are you two serious?”
Lindy laughed off the question. “No. We’re having fun together while I’m home. That’s it.”
“You sure about that? I saw him watching you at dinner, and sis, I have to tell you, he had the look.”
“The look?” Chad had to be joking. Sure, she’d spent time with Billy, more with him than anyone else—well, other than her parents and Peggy. She’d been home less than a week, and that was far too soon for “the look.”
“Be careful,” Chad advised, his eyes growing serious.
“I think you’re imagining things, little brother. Billy is far too preoccupied with his restaurant. He knows I’m in town only until the first of the year.”
“I’m not worried about Billy,” her brother said. “My concern is for you.”
“Me?” she asked with a slight laugh, finding his observation just short of hilarious.
“Yes, you. I saw how Billy looked at you, but I also noticed the way you looked at him, and it was telling. I know how upset you were over Brian and Celeste. I never said anything, but I was never keen on Brian. I figured in time he’d show his true colors, and he did. I will say this, though, I like Billy. I don’t think you’d be wrong to consider a more permanent relationship with him.”
Her brother’s words gave Lindy pause. Perhaps he was right and she was setting herself up for more heartache. She assumed she’d learned her lesson. This thing with Billy had started out as…what? She couldn’t be sure. It went all the way back to her letter to Santa all those years ago.
Something powerful had happened the day they’d spent in Leavenworth. The sleigh ride, sitting on Santa’s lap…the kisses.
Oh yes, those kisses.
“Hey,” Chad said, interrupting her musings. “I didn’t upset you, did I?”
“No, you gave me something to think about. The thing is, I have no intention of getting seriously involved with Billy. It wouldn’t work, for all the reasons I’ve already mentioned.”
“That’s too bad, because the two of you are good together.”
Ashley came to stand beside Chad, with one hand rubbing the slight mound of her tummy. “It’s time we head out,” she said. “I hate to go, but Peter needs his sleep, and for that matter, so do I. We’ve got two busy days ahead of us.”
Chad stood and gently lifted his son from the chair. Ashley, careful not to wake the sleeping boy, placed his arms in his winter coat. Lindy’s parents helped usher them out the door while confirming the time they planned to arrive on Christmas Day.
Her mother had spent the afternoon cooking, and yawned as she returned to the house.
“Sit down, Mom,” Lindy urged. “Relax. Let me get you a cup of peppermint tea.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” Ellen didn’t argue as she sat in her favorite chair in the family room and reached for her knitting.
All too soon her parents were both settled in front of the television, and Lindy knew this was the best time for her to leave to see Billy.
“I’m going to head out for a little bit,” she said.
Her father nodded, as if it was what he expected. “We like Billy,” he said, letting her know without saying it that he knew where she was headed.
Dressed in her coat and gloves, she felt she needed to clarify the situation. “We aren’t serious.”