Page 76 of A Holly Brown Christmas
“Oh! You’re both here! Welcome! And merry Christmas!” Camille came over and hugged them both. “Please excuse the mess, but we decided to try our hand at making something new and a little unconventional for dinner this year.”
He looked at his sisters.
“All I did was mention that I was in the mood for guacamole two days ago,” Kat explained. “And that somehow turned into an entire Mexican feast. I hope you like tacos.”
“It’s not just tacos,” Anna corrected. “We’re making paella—and before you say anything, yes, we know it’s Spanish and not Mexican. We’re just making it, so deal with it.” Huffing out a long breath, she added, “Sorry. It’s just been a lot more work than we expected. But the menu is going to be tacos, paella, chicken enchiladas, fajitas, and then chips, salsa, and guacamole.”
“That all sounds fabulous!” Holly gushed. “What can I help with?” She immediately stepped into the kitchen and went to work, while Lucas wasn’t exactly sure what he was supposed to do with himself.
He didn’t have to wait long.
“Lucas! Join us downstairs for a game of pool!” his father called out.
Walking over to Holly, he was about to ask if she minded, but she gave him a playful shove. “Have fun! I’m a whiz at enchiladas!”
Of course she was.
So he kissed her cheek—and then kissed his mother and sisters and wished them a merry Christmas—before going down the stairs.
“Merry Christmas!” his father said before coming over and hugging him. “What can I get you? Beer? Soda? Sweet tea?”
“I’ll take a beer. Thanks.” He shook hands with David and Drew and noticed how relaxed everyone looked. “How’s everything going?”
David shook his head with a laugh. “It’s been chaos and the kids are loving it. Camille hasn’t reprimanded anyone even once for leaving anything out. Honestly, I don’t think any of us know what to do with that.”
“Oh, she won’t be able to go to sleep tonight without cleaning it all up,” his father said with a laugh. “But it’s been a great day so far. Did you hear we’re having Mexican for dinner?”
He nodded. “I did, and it looks like a Mexican restaurant actually exploded in the kitchen.”
“I didn’t want to remind your mother that it’s been a long time since she’s cooked anything herself from scratch. Or that our daughters don’t enjoy cooking either, but they seem to be doing okay.”
“Holly just joined them and announced that she’s a whiz at making enchiladas,” he said with a laugh of his own.
“Uh-oh…you better make sure she doesn’t end up making the entire meal, because that just might happen!” Drew teased.
Somehow, Lucas doubted that Holly would have a problem with it, but she’d definitely figure out how to delegate just to keep things fair.
His father came up beside him, handing him the beer. “So, you and Holly. I have to say it’s about time.”
“Excuse me?”
Nodding, Spencer grinned. “Son, every year at our company party, her entire face would light up brighter than a Christmas tree whenever she saw you. And for what it’s worth, you always looked happiest when you were with her instead of socializing with everyone else. I never understood why you hadn’t asked her out.”
“Honestly? I didn’t think it was smart to date a coworker.”
“And now?”
He smiled. “Now I can’t imagine my life without her. She’s opened my eyes to so many things, and just being around her makes me happy.”
“She’s a great girl, Lucas. You’re a lucky man.” Clapping him on the back, Spencer walked back over to the pool table. “Rack ’em up, Drew! Let's get a few more games in before we have to go up for our Mexican fiesta!”
“I think it’s safe to say that the Mexican fiesta will not be a Brooks family tradition,” Lucas said as he and Holly climbed into bed that night.
“It’s really a shame about that tablecloth. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything go up in flames quite that fast.”
Dinner had been…unique. But the fajitas literally almost brought the house down.
In flames.
