Page 56 of Inherited Holiday

“She sure seems to have that effect on my sons, but Felix never stood a chance, and I think he’s realizing that.”

“She’s… I don’t even know how to explain it other than she’s literally this Christmas light shining bright in my face, making me feel all warm and well… this sense of holiday spirit seems to be working its way through me whether I want it to or not.”

“You’ve always liked Christmas, Nicholas. I’ve seen your face when you were a kid. You just fought it to fight me.”

“Dad, I?—”

“No, Nicholas,” Grandma intervened, suddenly standing beside us.

We seemed to clear the room, and only we were left there with our past playing out before us.

“You need to let your father finish what he has to say,” she ordered, bringing my attention back to him.

“What is she talking about?”

“I was just about to go looking for you, but I found Felix first.”

“Is that why he told me to come say hello to you?”

“Yes,” Felix added, walking into the room with his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “When grandfather first told me you’d be taking over this town, I thought to myself, damn… even in death he was going to give you what is most sacred to him.”

“Felix, you know I don’t?—”

“That’s what makes it worse, and now you have my girl too.”

I shook my head. “She was never your girl.”

“If you break her heart again, I’ll break your face.”

At that moment, I started seeing my brother as a loved one versus someone I didn’t get along with.

“Noted,” I replied, nodding.

“Anyway,” he added. “As I was saying, the news hit me like a ton of bricks, and I’ve tried not to hate you ever since.”

“When did you?—”

“A few years ago, I was grabbing something off his desk and his will was on the computer screen. I couldn’t help myself. There in front of my eyes was your name.”

My eyes widened.

“I never told grandfather I knew until he told us a few months ago.”

“I see…”

“Do you? Because from where I’m standing, you’re one lucky son of a bitch.”

I nodded because he was right, and I couldn’t argue with that.

“And not only do you have Mistletoe Town but you also have a thriving construction business.”

“I’ve worked my ass off for that.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“I did some research,” he shared. “I’m sure we all did.”

---