Page 99 of Mistletoe and Mischief

Eddie interrupted him. “I’ve come up with the perfect solution.”

“You have?”

Eddie nodded. He turned away for a moment and stepped into the hallway, then came back carrying a basket—with a puppy curled up inside, fast asleep.

“Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad.”

“A puppy!” Rosie said, lifting the sleeping pup from his warm bed and holding him close. “He’s adorable!”

“What a great idea.” Zach grinned, delighted at the prospect of taking a dog for long country rambles. He could already picture the three of them—Rosie, the puppy and him—sitting by the fire....

“Actually, you gave me the idea, Dad. A while back you said you missed having a dog around the house. I’m a starving college student and I couldn’t afford to buy you guys a big gift. When we went to get the Christmas tree I heard one of the workers say that Beth Morehouse had a houseful of puppies she needed to find good homes for. So...voilà.”

“Now, we’ll need to come up with a name,” he said.

“I’ve already named him, okay? I had to call him something. I know you like 1940s and ’50s movies, so...meet Bogart. Or Humphrey if you prefer.”

“Bogie!” Allison said. “That’s it.”

“Bogie.” Rosie smiled. “This is quite the Christmas,” she said, cradling the puppy in her arms. “Not only do we gain a son, but we add a dog to the family, as well.”

7

“I’ll start making the hot chocolate,” Beth said, turning away from her daughters. A few minutes in the kitchen would help her prepare to deal with her ex and his...friend. Kent kept insisting Danielle was “just a friend,” but Beth felt there was more to it. Really, why would he bring “just a friend” to a traditional family occasion?

Although she had no idea what Kent was thinking, Beth couldn’t imagine him actually spending the rest of his life with this woman. It was a mistake. Even her daughters could see that. Kent wouldn’t appreciate hearing her opinion, so Beth was determined to keep it to herself—although that was a struggle.

From inside the kitchen Beth heard Sophie greeting Kent and Danielle at the front door and ushering them into the family room. The Christmas tree was still bare, surrounded by the boxes they’d carried down.

“Mom’s in the kitchen.”

This came from Bailey. Kent must have asked where she was. A moment later, he joined her. “Listen, I’d appreciate it if we—”

“Is there anything I can do?” Danielle asked in the sweetest of voices.

“No, thanks. I’ve got everything under control,” she told the other woman. Her eyes connected with Kent’s. She wanted to berate him for bringing Danielle to a family function; instead, she bit her tongue and tried to disguise her feelings, although she suspected she’d failed.

She realized she’d need to get used to the fact that Kent was his own man now and made his own decisions. Beth forced a smile and continued stirring the chocolate.

“Dad,” Bailey called. “Come and help.”

Kent hesitated and it looked as if there was something else he wanted to say. With obvious reluctance, he returned to the family room, Danielle on his heels.

Beth took as long as she dared in the kitchen. Fortunately, Grace phoned while she was there, which kept her occupied for another five minutes. Beth peered into the living room when she’d hung up. From her vantage point, she could see that the girls had opened the boxes of old ornaments and were reminiscing with their father. Danielle sat on the sofa, her expression bored. Eventually she reached for her cell phone and started texting.

“Mom!” Sophie shouted. “Where are you?”

“Coming!” Beth loaded the serving tray with pretty holiday mugs. She’d decorated the top of each mug of cocoa with whipped topping and chocolate sprinkles, which was how Kent and the girls had always liked it. “Here we go,” she said, hoping she sounded cheerful. Surely there was a reward in heaven for first wives who were nice to their exes’ new girlfriends.

“Remember this one?” Sophie said, and held up a snowman she’d made with a wood-burning kit when she was around ten.

“What I remember is the blister you got on your finger because you weren’t careful,” Kent teased his daughter.

“I was so proud of this silly snowman. I was sure I’d make a career out of wood-burning.”

Danielle gave a saccharine smile. “It’s...lovely.” The words rang empty as her phone chirped and she returned to texting.

“It’s terrible,” Sophie said. “In fact, it’s downright ugly.”

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