Page 55 of Christmas Crisis
I stood next to the couch. “We’re here. No need to shout.”
“Oh, thank goodness. When you weren’t responding to any of our texts, I got worried.”
Marley enveloped me in a tight embrace. James, Maureen, and Will filed in behind her, carrying luggage and tote bags that they plopped down in the entryway. The appearance of my oldest sister and her boyfriend was unexpected. I hadn’t anticipated facing the entire cavalry.
“You didn’t go back to your house?” I asked Maureen.
“Some of the gear that needs to be stored in the garage is in our car. We figured we’d drop it here on our way.” She gave me a hug, more reserved than Marley’s but no less filled with love. “And now I’m glad I did.”
“Hey, guys!” Leo piped up from the hall, towel wrapped around his waist, still dripping wet from his shower.
I walked over and whispered so only he could hear. “Really, coming out in a towel?”
He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek, then rasped in my ear. “Just trying to sell it, Panda.”
Pulling back, he winked at me, and I slapped him on the butt. “Go put some clothes on,” I said.
“Yes, big brother, please get dressed,” James added dryly.
Leo disappeared into the bedroom.
Will brushed his hands across his thighs. Even though my sisters and James looked a little rough after their long trip, Will looked ready to step out of a catalog for high-end business casual. “This seems like it might be a family-only discussion,” he said. “I can go put the stuff in the garage.”
Marley and James frowned as Maureen hissed, “Don’t you dare. If you leave, plan on getting overly acquainted with the couch tonight.”
Will grinned. “Good. Because I kind of want to hear this.” He turned to me. “Guess we’ve solved the mystery of why Stone recommended Maureen’s video.”
“For the record,” I said carefully, “Maureen’s channel would be a success with or without theStone Caseman bounce. But yes, let’s just say Stone owed me a favor.”
“True,” Will agreed, kissing Maureen’s cheek as she pretended to be annoyed with him.
“Why are we even talking about that right now?” Marley interjected, hands flailing. “I don’t give a flying fig about Stone Caseman and all his…shenanigans. What I care about is the fact that you and Leo have been dating and didn’t tell us.” Her voice shook, but I knew it was hurt and not anger that drove her.
“I’m sorry, Marls. I promise it wasn’t malicious. We just wanted to keep it private for a while.”
Marley’s expression dimmed, but before I could try to explain further, Leo re-emerged from the bedroom.
He wrapped his arms around me as we all stood in an awkward circle near the Christmas tree. “Obviously, it’s a complicated situation. With our families so closely connected.”
Leo and James exchanged an indecipherable look of silent communication, and I got the feeling the brothers would be having a private discussion soon.
Maureen put a placating hand on Marley’s arm. “Miranda may be our baby sister, but she’s a grown woman. We won’t agree with every choice she makes.” Turning to me, she said, “I think a more important question is how you’re doing with all this. I haven’t been off the grid since they invented the internet, so of course something like this happens the first time I unplug.”
“Not gonna lie, I missed being able to go to you guys,” I said. “But it’s good to know I could handle it on my own. I think it’s good for you guys to know that too.”
“Miranda—” Marley raised her brows. “We know you can handle things on your own. You’ve been all over the world and have been living away from us for years. But you’re still our little sister, and we want to protect you, and…know about you. I don’t want to find out important things about you by going online.”
“Exactly,” Maureen chorused. “And it seems like things are improving now, but I still want to tear everyone on the internet a new asshole for referring to you as a ‘ho’ and a ‘home-wrecker’ and a ‘slut,’ and so many other vile things. Seeing comments on my little sister’s Instagram littered with the c-word, I’ve never felt such pure rage. But there’s no one to get mad at. Everyone is nameless. Faceless. Occasionally, I get weird comments on my channel, but nothing like that. I hate that you had to go through it on your own.”
“I absolutely did not go through it on my own,” I huffed. “Leo’s been with me. I flew up the night the story broke, and he’s been by my side the entire time.”
James eyed where his brother’s arms still locked around my torso. “You guys have always had a special relationship. Thank goodness you had each other.” He gave Leo another odd look.
“Yes. You two being together surprises no one,” Maureen said. “And I realize you had Leo to support you. I’m just sorry I couldn’t be here.” She folded her arms. “It’s the whole situation that seems a little strange. Not telling us. You being besties with Stone Caseman—”
“Clearly, we’re still missing pieces,” Marley agreed sagely. “Starting with why you’re in Coleman Creek. I’m happy to see you, but you’ve been saying for months that you couldn’t get away until Christmas.”
I sighed. “My bosses are pretty stodgy. They were worried about all this causing a circus, so I’m working remotely through the holidays.”
