Page 74 of When in December

Liana laughed loudly. I hadn’t heard the sound yet today. I almost wanted to laugh myself.

Gavin’s cheeks turned red, though that could’ve been from all the sugar he had been eating. He stuffed another gumdrop into his mouth, and his teeth practically stuck together.

One thing led to the next until two dilapidated gingerbread houses were set up on the edge of the new rustic-style kitchen table, as Poppy described it, while she easily swept away most of the mess. Oz wandered back and forth through the kitchen in a loop, looking for crumbs.

Liana gasped as she looked out the window, leaving the cleaning to Poppy entirely. Gavin had made his way back to the couch, flopping there until Oz noticed the change. He trotted over to lick at the little boy’s fingers.

Gavin giggled until I waved off Oz.

“Get out of there,” I warned him.

All of them were already looking all too pleased with themselves.

“Can we go outside?”

I almost couldn’t believe the voice belonged to Liana. She was still at the window. Turning around, she pointed. Her eyes flicked back and forth between Poppy and me.

Poppy smiled, with a small nod before directing them to get their coats and to double-layer their socks. “Of course we can.”

Liana stumbled forward, catching herself over the snow. The piles of white sparkled under the last seconds of the sun setting behind the thick pine trees. She started to build a lumpy snowman. Somehow, she didn’t get frustrated when the second sphere fell from her hands. She picked it up and attempted to roll it on top of the other. She didn’t even complain when the snow started to seep through her knit gloves.

Poppy bit her bottom lip as she watched. It was as if she was internally trying to cheer my niece on from where we sat on the back patio. I’d been silent most of the day, a fourth wheel.

Unless you counted Oz. Then fifth.

I walked up next to Poppy as she sat on the edge of the stone wall where she must’ve brushed the snow off. When I scooted in next to her, she shifted a little to the side before looking at me. I handed a bottle to her and popped off the top. I didn’t have much in the fridge for the kids. But I did have beer.

She hesitated before she took it, but she didn’t immediately take a sip. I did before setting mine to the side. Rubbing my hands together, I blew hot air into my palms before tuckingthem as best as I could back into my coat. Poppy’s eyes flicked toward me at the movement.

I cleared my throat.

“Yes?” Poppy asked.

“You’re good with them,” I finally vocalized.

“Is that a compliment?” She raised her brows, though she continued to keep her gaze locked on Liana and Gavin playing.

I rolled my eyes.

“Excuse me if I don’t know how to take one from you,” she mumbled.

I narrowed my eyes. “Since when have I told you anything else?”

She shrugged, finally taking a sip of the beer I’d offered her. She cringed. “This tastes terrible.”

“Didn’t think I’d be hosting guests.”

She let out a small breath of a laugh as we watched the kids tumble around in their puffy winter gear. Ozzy raced after them, shoving Gavin down face-first into a mound of snow.

“Ooh,” both of us exclaimed at the same time.

Gavin popped back up, face red, and ran after the dog without pause.

Poppy was watching them with a smile, though her arms were crossed to keep in the warmth. Though she was wearing her coat, in this weather, it didn’t look particularly warm. “Maybe Oz isn’t one hundred percent ready yet to be a house dog?”

“He’ll get used to it,” I mumbled.

“It’s not a bad place for a dog to get used to,” she said softly.

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