Page 185 of Holiday Hire

She chirps, "It's a great family."

"Yeah."

She softly adds, "We're lucky," and a little sadness crosses her expression.

I cautiously agree. "We are. Are you okay?"

She forces a smile, answering, "Yes. I just get a little nostalgic sometimes around the holidays, thinking about my parents and grandparents."

A wave of sadness hits me too. "I can understand that."

She tilts her head. "Sebastian said Alexander told him your mom and sister are in different places?"

I take a deep breath and release it, admitting, "Yeah. I wish they were closer. They were far away from me when I lived in Pismo Beach as well, but I could at least drive to see them. I was kind of in the middle of where they both were."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," she says, offering me a sympathetic look.

I force a smile, stating, "It's okay. I've gotten used to it."

"Well, I'm glad you're joining the family." She hugs me, and I squeeze her back.

"Thank you. I heard your cupcake business is doing well. That must've been scary starting a business all on your own."

"It was, but I had Sebastian by my side. He's a business whiz."

"He says you are too," I tell her.

She laughs. "I'm learning a lot, but I couldn't have done all I've done without him."

"It's nice that you two work together so well."

"Yeah, it is." She turns on the mixer.

I open the fridge and take out the bacon, eggs, and other ingredients to start breakfast.

The other women arrive to help, and we spend the morning cooking and laughing. Around ten o'clock, I ring the bell and shout, "Breakfast!"

The men slowly filter in, and soon enough, we're all around the big dining room table, including the kids. The usual joyful presence of the Cartwrights fills the room, and I soak every detail in, still not believing this will now be my family. I get to stay here with Alexander and the boys and everyone else, and nothing has ever made me so happy.

After breakfast, Alexander pulls me aside, declaring, "Hey, I have a surprise for you."

"You do?"

"I do. We have to go somewhere though."

"On Christmas Eve?" I ask.

He glances at his watch. "Yeah. Don't worry. We won't miss anything, and you'll be happy, I think."

"You think?" I ask, my stomach filling with nerves.

His expression turns anxious. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

"Why am I nervous all of a sudden?" I ask.

He chuckles. "No reason to be. Come on." He kisses my hand and leads me to the front door. He helps me into my coat, and we go outside and get in his truck.

He turns on country music, and we sing on the way into town. Then he pulls into the lot of a facility called Crossroads and parks near a building decorated for Christmas.

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