Page 54 of Fix You

As soon as the pies were done baking and I’d helped Mam with the turkey and stuffing, I followed her upstairs to get ready.Just as I was about to go into Kellan’s room where I was staying, Mam followed me inside. “What is it?”

“I just wanted to see what you were wearing.”

I cocked my brows at her. “You haven’t cared about what I’ve worn to Christmas lunch in years.”

Mam swept her hands to her hips. “Can’t a mother be interested in her daughter’s clothes?”

As I made my way over to the closet, I eyed Mam suspiciously. After flicking through a few hangers, I pulled out a very plain midnight blue dress. I’d chosen it for comfort, not for fashionability.

“Here it is,” I said, showing it to Mam.

She appeared contemplative before finally wrinkling her nose. “That won’t do.”

“Excuse me?”

“You need something flashier.”

“Since when?”

Her green eyes narrowed at me. “Maeve Diana Kavanaugh, why are you being so stubborn?”

“I’m not.”

Crooking her finger at me, Mam said, “Come with me.”

With an exasperated sigh, I followed her out of Kellan’s bedroom and across the hall to Dare’s. Standing in the middle of the room, I waited for her as she rustled around in the closet. When she reappeared, she held in her arms a breathtakingly beautiful green velvet dress. As she held it out to me, it had an almost vintage look with the fitted waist and wide skirt.

As I ran my hand over the fabric, I asked, “Where did you get this?”

A secretive smile played on her lips. “Santy brought it for you.”

With a roll of my eyes, I replied, “Mammy, I haven’t believed in Santy since I was nine years old.”

She laughed. “Fine. I brought it with me for you to wear today.”

“Whatever for?”

“Because I knew you needed to look divine for a certain lunch guest.”

I gasped. “You knew Rafe was coming today?”

“I didn’t know for certain, but I wanted to be prepared just in case.”

With a frustrated grunt, I flopped down on the bed. “Mam, it doesn’t matter what I look like. There is no future for me and Rafe.”

Mam huffed as she came over to the bed. “And who says?”

“He’s going to have an arranged marriage one day like Callum and the rest of your sons.”

“Who says he can’t have a marriage with you?”

My head fell into my hands. With a groan, I replied, “I just want to forget about Rafe and what happened at the reception.”

“Bullshit.”

I jerked my head up. “Excuse me?”

“You’re still mooning over him. I know it.”

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