Page 57 of Christmas Treasures

Stay with me. And I’ll stay with you.

“I will, my love. I will.” And he would. For as long as he had breath in him, he would stay and protect her and champion her. No matter what.

He would be her father.

The familiar aromasfrom Mom’s kitchen, cinnamon-spiced apples, buttery pastry, the subtle hint of vanilla, momentarily pushed aside the sadness that had followed him around all day. No matter how hard life could be, he could always come here and know his family would shower him with love and support. He knew with certainty that he wouldn’t be the same man had he not had them. Regardless, he felt terrible, as if his light had been snuffed out with no warning.

Bing Crosby’s voice lilted through the speakers as adult conversation mingled with bursts of laughter from kids watching a Christmas movie in the next room. The decorated tree cast flickering shadows across the walls.

Max paused inside the door, clutching a brown paper bag of cheese and crackers. He breathed deep, trying to dislodge the weight pressing against his chest.

Bianca stood beside him, her face tight with the effort of holding everything in. Max recognized the look—he’d seen it in the mirror this morning.

Before he could speak, Lily barreled around the corner, her face lighting up at the sight of them.

“Bianca, you’re here.” She grabbed Bianca’s hand. “We built a fort and Sophie made popcorn with M&M’s mixed in and Jack got a blanket and pillow all set up for you.”

For a moment, Bianca hesitated, her eyes darting to Max.

He nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be in the kitchen with the grown-ups.”

Lily tugged on Bianca’s hand. “Come on. They’re singing the ghost song—that’s the best part.”

Something in Bianca’s shoulders eased as she let herself be pulled down the hallway. Max caught a glimpse of Sophie waving from beneath a canopy of blankets, Jack scooting over to make room in their elaborate nest of pillows.

Bianca didn’t look back.

Max watched her go, a pang tugging deep in his chest. Thank God for these young people. For their pure hearts and willingness to accept a new cousin without question. He would remember their kindness when the world felt particularly ugly or mean and take comfort.

He slipped into the kitchen. For a moment, he just took it all in. The familiar scene of his loving and ever-growing family. Just two years ago neither Laney nor Abby had been part of the family and now here they were—blending in as if they’d always been there.

Mom was checking on an apple pie in the oven while his dad peeled potatoes. Abby and Laney were arranging pickles and olives on a platter and talking about the young woman old Joe Fournier had to rescue after her car got stuck in a snowbank.

“Should we do something for her?” Abby asked.

“No, we don’t want to poke into something that’s not our business,” Mom said.

“Since when?” Dad asked, chuckling.

That got a stray potato peel tossed at his head by his devoted wife.

“From what I heard, West Lawrence has taken her under his wing,” Abby said. “She’s staying out at the Lawrence farm.”

“That’s very kind of him,” Laney said.

Max drifted toward his brothers. Luke, Logan, and Nolanwere clustered around the island, beers tilted, debating football.

He had to admit to himself that part of the reason he felt so crushed over Charlie was wrapped up in his desire to have what Luke and Nolan had with their wives. To be loved and accepted exactly as he was? Surely there was no better joy.

But he also had to face the facts. He’d pushed her too hard, just as he always did. He was too impulsive. Too sure everyone would succumb to his charms. How wrong he’d been.

Logan cut off mid-sentence when he spotted Max standing in the doorway. “Hey, Maxer. Are you sick? You look terrible.”

“Thanks a lot.” Max forced a smile and placed the snacks on the counter. “I brought some cheese and crackers from the shop that I thought you guys would enjoy.”

Nolan straightened, his expression shifting. “What’s happened? You don’t look okay.”

Max hesitated, rubbing his neck. “Yeah, I’ve been better. Didn’t sleep much last night.”

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