Page 67 of The Blessings of Christmas
The walk looked slippery and he took her elbow when they met. “Careful now.”
Of course the path to the door had been cleared and salted. After a storm his dad always got out early. Christmas lights on the front bushes blazed over the snow. Connor smiled to see the big old-fashioned bulbs, probably older than he was. Big Mike always bought enough of everything to last a lifetime. Digital cameras had caught him and his hoard of film by surprise. The heat of the oversize lights melted deep pockets in the heavy snow. Strictly out of habit he jostled a limb. Chunks of snow plopped to the ground and the lights shone even brighter.
“Watch it on the steps.” He tightened his hold on Amanda’s arm.
“Really, Connor. You’d think I was actually pregnant.” She marched ahead in the red coat her parents had sent for Christmas.
He bit back his frustration. Sometimes her independence made him crazy. “A happy wife makes a happy life.” The Kirkpatrick men lived by that motto. They’d spent so much time and money on what should come naturally. Had they lost their relationship along the way?
Before he could even grab the doorknob to his parents’ house, Seth opened the front door, big grin on his face. “Hey, bro.”
Connor did the shoulder bump thing with his younger brother.
“How’s my gorgeous sister-in-law?” When it came to Amanda, Seth had to overdo it, as usual. He kissed her cheek with a hearty smack
“Knock it off, Seth. If you were any other guy, I’d deck you for that.” Connor shrugged out of his jacket.
“And if you were any other guy, I might just steal her from you.”
Connor leveled a look at Seth. “Not a chance, bro.”
From his dark eyes to the cleft in his chin, Seth had been a lady’s man since he first smiled at Miss Lucy, his kindergarten teacher.
Seth looked pointedly at his watch before taking Amanda’s coat. “Glad you could make it. Our guests of honor should be here soon.”
“Smart ass.” Conner shouldered past him. Sure smelled good in here. “We had a snow emergency.”
Seth howled. “The whole city is under a snow emergency. I still made it here in time, and McKenna came all the way from downtown. No excuses. As the oldest in the family, you’ll do anything to annoy us.”
The ribbing never stopped. Same with the firehouse. All the guys gave each other a hard time.
Selena, Seth’s girlfriend, appeared, winding her arms around Seth’s waist. “You boys getting rowdy again?”
“We’re talking about having babies,” Amanda said in a stage whisper, eyes dancing. “They’re taking bets on when you’ll be ready.”
The light in his wife’s eyes pinned him for a second. Connor hadn’t seen this impish side of her for a while and he welcomed it.
“Oh, no. Not me.” Selena’s brown eyes widened. Breaking away, she trotted off toward the kitchen. “Think I hear Maureen calling.”
Seth watched her go and then slung an arm around Connor’s shoulders. “Hey, cut the crap, okay? I’m too young.”
Connor elbowed his brother in the ribs. “Don’t wait too long. That’s all I’m saying.”
“But I’m not even thirty yet.” Seth’s lips pursed in innocence—the look that got the ladies every time.
“Right. Time flies.” Connor buttoned his lips. Like every other guy on the planet, Seth thought babies just came when you wanted them.
Newsflash. Not the way it worked. Connor should have gotten Amanda pregnant on their honeymoon at Mackinac Island. Back then, having time alone seemed like a smart idea.
Ahead of him, Amanda drifted into the living room. The warmth of the fire curled toward him and he edged into the packed room. Looked like a party shop had exploded in here. Blue booties, storks and crepe paper streamers everywhere. Suddenly he could use a drink. No way did he want one of those sissy mimosas he saw in some hands but a Bloody Mary? He’d go for one right now.
Seth reappeared and shoved one into his hand. “Thought you could use this.”
“Thanks. You read my mind.”
The kids were downstairs with a babysitter and subdued squeals came from the basement. His two married brothers, Mark and Malcolm, circulated with their wives. Connor waved to some of the guys from the firehouse. He’d have to remember to take any leftovers back for the crew working today. Man, the place was packed. His parents had even invited some of his high school friends.
Conner sniffed the air. He loved his mom’s egg casserole and her brown sugar bacon? Made his mouth water.
