Page 8 of Blame It On the Lattes

“What if something happens and I don’t have someone to watch Kennedy? We don’t even live here, and I don’t have a babysitter lined up.”

“We’ll watch her,” Amelia and Ron answered at the same time while Cassidy grinned like a fool.

“I appreciate that. I really do. But you guys have your own lives. What about when you have doctor’s appointments or need to run errands?”

“Then I’ll watch her,” Cassidy said, pinning me with another look.

“But—”

“Avery, I think it’s clear that you have support with someone watching Kennedy. And worst-case scenario, if you don’t have someone to watch her, then you bring her with you to work and I keep an eye on the marshmallow inventory,” Sam said with a wink.

I shook my head, not sure what to think about all of this.

“I don’t know how long I’m in town for.”

“I need immediate help, Avery, and as far as I can see, you’re in town for a little while. Why don’t we help each other? You keep me from having to scour the high school to see if there are any eligible seniors whomightwant a job, and I give you something to do with your day so you’re not stuck with Cassidy 24/7. It’s a win/win.”

“Ugh, rude.” Cassidy frowned, giving her brother a dirty look.

I pulled in a deep breath and slowly released it. It was like the universe was giving me what I had been praying endlessly over: a chance to give Kennedy the best Christmas ever. Not knowing how I would afford gifts had been stressful enough to give me an ulcer. This would allow me to do that for her and keep the magic alive by having something for her from Santa on Christmas morning.

“Okay. I’ll do it. When do you want me to start?”

“How about tomorrow? 6 am sharp.”

Thankfully, I was an early riser, so that wasn’t a problem for me.

“I’ll be there.” I turned to Cassidy, ready to ask for my first favor by having her watch Kennedy.

“She’s already asleep, so why don’t you leave her here, and I’ll stay over too. You can go back to my place and not have to worry about anything other than getting up and starting your new job in the morning.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, my voice nearly breaking again.

“We want to,” Cassidy assured me as her parents nodded from the other couch. “This is what family does.”

Five

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