Page 73 of Just Add Mistletoe

He sat next to her on the couch. “TV it is.”

Somehow Malcom fell asleep on the couch. When he awakened to a completely dark room with no flickering television light, he had a pillow beneath his head and a blanket draped over him. Courtesy of Lori, he knew. He lay still for a moment, as all of the events of the day before filtered through his mind. He hoped his father was comfortable and sleeping in his hospital room. He hoped his mom was getting rest too. He didn’t know if Bronson had brought Kari with him—he’d never said.

And now Malcom wondered if it was a good idea to bring Lori into the middle of what could be a lot of family drama. Judging by his mother’s words last night, she could very well be the one stirring everything up. But then he wondered if it would hurt Lori’s feelings to uninvite her. The plane ticket was already bought.

He moved off the couch, folded the blanket, and set it on top of the pillow, then went to find his assigned room. As he headed along the hallway, he paused when he saw a light beneath Lori’s bedroom door. Was she sleeping with the light on? Did he know that about her?

Or was she awake? He tapped softly on the door, so if she was asleep, she hopefully wouldn’t wake up.

No one answered, and there was no sound, so he continued on his way. As he reached the end of the hall, he heard a door click open.

Turning, he saw Lori standing there in something that was probably PJs to her, but still looked festive. A T-shirt with purple turkeys printed all over, and matching lounge pants.

“Malcom? Did you finally wake up?”

He smiled and leaned against the wall. “Yeah. Thanks for the pillow. Probably saved my neck.”

“How are you feeling?” Her eyes glimmered with concern in the dim light.

“I’m fine, I think,” he said. “Not exactly looking forward to seeing Bronson . . . later today. But it will be good to visit my dad.”

She nodded and threaded her hands together in front of her.

“So . . .” he started in a hesitant voice. “I didn’t tell you this before because Thanksgiving dinner was great, and I didn’t want to spoil it more than I already have. But my mom has some hangups as to why I’m not dating Penny. I didn’t know until we talked on the phone, and I’m assuming it’s stemming from whatever Bronson is telling her in the hospital. Justifying all of his tax evasion stuff.”

Lori blinked. “You can set your mom straight. She’ll believe you, Malcom. You’re her son.”

He nodded at that. Hopefully Lori was right. “I just don’t know what frame of mind she’ll be in when you meet her. And I don’t know how Bronson will treat you. Kari might be with him too.”

Lori folded her arms. “If you don’t want me to go, I won’t go. You need to do what’s right for you and your family. Not worry about me.”

Malcom’s stomach sank. “That’s not the issue. I just . . .” He crossed to her and ran his hands up her arms, then rested his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t want you to feel like they’re picking on you. I really don’t know how they’ll act toward you in person. My mom . . . she doesn’t really have a filter, which is fine when someone I care about isn’t the brunt of her comments. She can say whatever she wants about me, but not you.”

Lori held his gaze. “It’s not right for her to criticize you, either. Maybe I should come if only to defend you.”

He let a small smile escape. “You would fight for my honor?”

“I’d fight to the death,” she teased. Then she inched closer and looped her arms around his neck. “You’re a remarkable man, Malcom. And if anyone is lucky to have you, it’s your mom. And your dad. And Bronson.”

He gave a short nod. “Yeah, can you tell them that?”

“Anytime.” She smiled and pulled him closer to kiss him. “I’ll call them or text them, or fly out to tell them in person. Just give me the word.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re already helping, Lori. And knowing there are people in Everly Falls who trust me, who have my back, and are willing to invest in my dream—it’s overwhelming to think about. I’m so grateful.”

Lori’s fingers traced along the back of his neck. “I’m grateful to you. All of Everly Falls is grateful.” She kissed him again, lingering longer this time. “Let me know what you want me to do. Whatever you need.”

He bit his lip, then rested his forehead against hers. “I think I need to do this on my own. See my parents and figure out what they are together now. Talk to my brother alone—just the two of us. Figure out what can be salvaged.”

“Okay,” Lori said softly. “Just know that if you need any kneecaps broken, I’m ready.”

He chuckled.

Then he drew her tightly against him, just breathing her in. Not just her scent, but her goodness. He did have to do this on his own, but he wouldn’t really be alone. Not when he had Lori.

LORI CHECKED HER TEXTS AS she burrowed inside her covers, with Tiger sitting on her chest, purring like a lawnmower. The group chat had finally quieted as everyone was probably going to sleep. And Malcom’s last text had come in over an hour ago, after his plane landed. He should be back to Everly Falls by now.

He said he’d call her when he got home, but so far, nothing.

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