Page 100 of Christmas of Love

“All in a day’s work.”

I chuckled, shaking my head as Amy turned around to see us.

The moment she saw Nate, I swore I saw lightning flare around her. She dropped her gaze, and I studied Nate to see if I could catch even a glimpse of attraction.

“Okay, everyone. In honor of my new grandson,” Hunter’s mom proclaimed, “I say we singSilent Night.”

“Oh, no,” Nate hissed. “I didn’t sign up for this.”

Amy giggled, and Nate caught her gaze, and I knew the game had begun.

A spark had flickered.

As everyone gathered around the Christmas tree belting outSilentNight, Hunter walked over to me and slid his arm around my waist before his mom brought Tate over to us. The song ended, and my heart felt like it was going to burst.

Even in my wildest dreams, I hadn’t imagined a Christmas like this again.

Not since I’d lost my brother and mom.

My eyes caught the beginning of the Parade of Boats on the lake, and my heart skipped a beat. It was as if my family were sending me a sign that it was okay to live again.

I drew a deep breath as Hunter led me to the large windows facing the lake as his family gathered behind us. Hunter turned Tate to look at the twinkling Christmas lights parading by us as the most magical feeling sprinkled over me.

I looked up toward the sky and smiled at the brightest star where I was sure my brother and mom were looking down on us, on me.

My expanded family.

As the boat parade ended, I heard Beckett laughing behind us. “Come on, Cash, you've got to admit it, Purrlock here has finally outdone your legendary Christmas tree fiasco of 2007." Beckett laughed, nudging his younger brother.

“What are you talking about?” their mom asked.

Beckett let out a hearty laugh and pointed toward the tree where Purrlock had climbed branch by branch, finally stopping to analyze her mistakes. "That's true. At least when Cash knocked over the tree, he didn't take down half the living room decorations with it."

Hunter cocked his head slightly. “What makes you think that’s going to happen?”

“Just a brotherly hunch.” He flashed a toothy grin at his brother.

Hunter chuckled, handing me Tate. “Nah, Purrlock knows better.”

“I wouldn’t do it,” Nate said calmly. “Felines have a mind of their own. Let a professional handle it.”

Amy nodded in agreement, looking up into Nate’s eyes. “Yes, let a professional handle it.”

Hunter waved his hand and laughed. “It’s okay. I got it.”

But he didn’t have it.

A loud screech echoed through the air as Purrlock’s eyes widened and her mouth opened with a hissing chortle. Without warning, Purrlock used her body like a rocket and leaped toward Hunter, but her reflexes weren’t fast enough as he missed her. The cat’s body flew like a missile toward the coffee table lined with poinsettias.

“Never a dull moment with you boys.” Millie grimaced as Purrlock Holmes’s body slid across the table, knocking each plant to the floor before she tumbled right in front of the fireplace.

“Impressive,” Cash muttered, shaking his head.

“I think she lost a couple of lives on that one,” Millie said, chuckling as Hunter dashed over to check on her.

I quickly followed behind as Purrlock stood slowly and shook off as she stretched her neck toward the ceiling, batting his hand away.

Hunter let out a deep sigh of relief and stood. “The cat is fine. Poinsettias, not so much.”

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