Page 65 of Peppermint Bark

Mallory snorted. Where did Ruby come up with this stuff?

My gaze lifted to Alex leaning in the doorway, arms crossed and expression soft, until Ruby squirmed. “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas —”

“Who’s the Nick guy?”

As I read, Ruby tucked her chin under mine. Her soft breath against my neck reminded me of volunteering in the church nursery. As a Pastor’s Kid, our family spent all Sunday at church, so Elijah and I volunteered to babysit as a break from Bible study. Changing diapers and reading aloud from the Children’s Bible had been the highlight of my week.

Even though I worked with kids in the pediatric ward, it was clinical, ensuring they were safe and their parents had the necessary resources. I rarely had time to relax and be with one of my patients … especially one this curious.

“The children were nestled all snug —”

“How many children? Were they brothers and sisters? Or cousins? MacKenzie has two sisters and ten cousins. Ten! Can you believe that?”

“It must be a very loud house."

“They watch me when Grandma needs help. It’s so much fun there,” she said. I considered how quiet Ruby’s life must be, first with only Sarah and now with Jean. “Do you have brothers and sisters, Grace?”

“I grew up with three brothers,” I said carefully. “But I moved away.”

"If I had brothers or sisters, I’d never want to leave them," she said, voice tinged with sadness.

When my words caught in my throat, Mallory looked up in alarm to check my face. Reassured, she said to Ruby, “I’ve got two brothers, it’s not that great. My big brother’s over there.”

Alex unfurled his crossed arms and lumbered over. “You talking about me?”

“Ruby asked Grace what it’s like having brothers.” Alex hazarded a glance and I forced a smile. Mallory shrugged, “I told her they’re not that great.”

“Not that great?” Alex said, hands on his hips as a show for a giggling Ruby. “That’s it, move over, Shrimp. I’ve gotta clear up misconceptions.”

Mallory doubled down, settling deeper into her cushion. Alex lifted her easily and dumped her over a few feet to sit between us.

“See? That’s what it’s like to have a brother,” Mallory shoved his shoulder, which barely shifted. “I always wished I was an only child, like you.”

Alex tilted his head at her. “You did?”

“Didn’t you?”

“Never. You annoyed the sh-sh-shimmy out of me," he stumbled to cover his urge to curse, "but I never wanted to get rid of you. Especially when the whole family was here, I loved being in a house full of kids.”

“That’s because you got to boss me and Nick around,” she muttered.

“Nick?” Ruby said. “Like Saint Nick, in the book?”

“He wishes,” Mallory snorted. That reminded Ruby about the story … and now that she had three adults to entertain her, she shifted to hold it open for Mallory to read next.

“When out on the roof there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter,” Mallory recited. Alex met my eyes and I lifted a brow to point out that I wasn’t the only one who freaked out over unexpected midnight visitors.

“It’s Santa, right?” Ruby exclaimed. “I bet the sound is the reindeer on the roof. Are reindeer louder than dogs? Our neighbor has a dog that barks, a black lab named Cinder. He likes to be scratched behind the ears, but I’m not supposed to touch his tail. Do reindeer bark? Or do they neigh or snort?”

I smiled, putting a finger over my mouth. “Let’s find out.”

“His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!” Mallory read aloud.

“That’s Santa, he came to visit me today,” Ruby told Mallory as she pointed to the drawing. “Grace called him and he visited after feeding the reindeer.”

Mallory looked delighted, not noticing Alex flushed — cheeks like roses, indeed. She pointed to the drawing. “Did he look like that?”

Ruby tilted her head, then popped her lips. “Nope, this guy’s too short and his belly looks squishy. The real Santa has prettier eyes.”

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