Page 25 of Blame It On the Lattes

Thirteen

Sam

“Ithought you guyswere going to decorate yesterday?” Avery asked, sitting on the couch sipping the hot tea I’d made for her.

“Kennedy and I both agreed that we wanted to wait for you. I haven’t shown her theother thingyet,” I replied, making sure Kennedy didn’t hear.

I had wanted to give Kennedy her tree but decided to wait until Avery was feeling better so she could be a part of it. Plus, today was officially twelve days until Christmas, which made it even better to wait until today to give it to her since I’d gotten her a twelve days of Christmas ornament set. Each ornament was hidden in an advent-style calendar, and she opened one a day until Christmas. I hadn’t told Avery about the ornaments yet, but I couldn’t imagine she would be upset about it.

She spent the morning in bed resting, as we had asked, then came out about an hour ago, looking much better with color flushing her cheeks again. I’d gotten her to eat a light breakfast and was thankful she seemed to be past the worst of it.

“She’s going to love it,” Avery said with a smile as she watched Kennedy and Cassidy finish the puzzle they were working on that Cassidy had brought over yesterday.

“I hope so.” I hated that I felt so unsure about it because deep down, I wanted nothing more than to see the happiness on Kennedy’s face when she saw it.

“Finished!” Kennedy said, standing up and staring down at the puzzle on the coffee table with pride.

“Great job, sweetheart!” Avery exclaimed, setting her tea on the end table beside her as she leaned forward to see the puzzle. “It looks amazing!”

“Thank you, momma. It was fun but a little too easy.” She scrunched her nose playfully as Cassidy pretended to be offended.

“Fine, next time, I’m getting one of those 3D ones that take months to finish,” Cassidy said, getting up off the floor.

Kennedy giggled and curled up on the couch next to Avery.

“You taking off?” I asked my sister as I saw her grab her purse from the coat rack.

“Yeah. I need to do laundry and get ready for work this week. It’s a lot harder when things aren’t where I expect them to be at Mom’s house. I swear, she and Dad get bored and move stuff around just for fun. It took me twenty minutes to find the dryer sheets the other day because Mom moved them to this decorative box, as if dryer sheets were some secret thing we needed to keep hidden.”

“Well, we’re going to start decorating the house if you want to stay and help us,” I offered.

“Thanks, but I had to help Mom and Dad decorate theirs, so I think I’m maxed out this year. Did you know that there is awrongway to hang Christmas lights?” Cassidy sighed heavily as she shrugged on her coat and pulled a beanie over her head.

“I absolutely do believe it. I’m a firm believer in hanging lights the right way.”

“You’re weird, just like Dad.”

“That’s not a nice word,” Kennedy said, scowling at Cassidy.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. It’s not a nice word.”

“Are you going to apologize?” Kennedy pushed, raising her eyebrows in a way that made her look just like Avery.

Cassidy looked from Kennedy to me and then shook her head.

“Nope. Sorry, kiddo, but Sam deserves it.” She winked to let Kennedy know she was just playing as she elbowed me in the ribs on her way over to hug her. “I’ll see you later this week. Be good for your momma.”

“I will.”

“Call if you need anything,” Cassidy said as I walked her to the door. “I already let Mom know you guys wouldn’t be there for dinner tonight. I’m sure she’ll have me bring food over later.”

“Please tell her not to worry about it. I’m not sure what Avery will be in the mood for, and I want her to take it easy on her stomach. But thank Mom for the offer, please.”

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