Page 60 of Ho Ho Oh No

Since I’m no longer compelled to hide my hobby, I open up with them. “Not sure I would have been ready for that back then. This is a fairly new thing. I started with pies, learning my mom’s recipes. I had a knack for it. After pies, I moved on to cookies. Only recently, I forayed into cakes at Mia’s urging.”

“Ghost likes that cake, huh?”Out of nowhere, Shep smacks me on the ass.

I jump a foot off the ground and yelp. “Dammit, Shep. That’s unwanted physical contact.”

This time, the riot of laughter draws the girls over.

Lettie’s the first to creep into the circle. She lifts one of Tomer’s arms and wraps it over her shoulder. “What’s got y’all happier than a mess of pigs in slop?”

Mia eases beside me and laces her hand with mine. She turns to Shep and points an index finger at him, hovering it a few inches from his face. “I saw you assault my man. Keep your grubby hands off my cake.”

Shep crumples his face and wobbles his head. “Mia, that’s too much cake for one person. You can share.”

Kri looks at the floor and covers her face with a straight-edged hand, pretending to be embarrassed by Shep. She isn’t convincing anyone. Especially considering her shoulders are shaking with silent laughter.

Leo clears his throat. “Think of it this way, Mia. Shep’s trying to save your blood sugar. Because that is a whole lotta cake.”

My head lolls around my neck in an exaggerated display of annoyance. “Quit talking about my ass.”

Seeming to take up for me, Sawyer speaks up. “Klein’s right. Grow up. That’s enough. In fact, there’s something much more important we need to discuss.”

I can see the impression coming from the sarcastic glint in his eye.

In classic Sawyer-style, he sends everyone into hysterics. He deepens his voice and adds some grit to his tone. “My name is Wilfred Brimley, and I’d like to talk to you about diabeetus.”

I’m dead.

Chapter 17

My father's sack

LETTIE

As I scan the room, my chest expands to make way for all the warm fuzzy feelings. This party is everything I hoped it would be and more. It’s the right amount of silly and sweet. The laughter, the fellowship, the food, and the holiday cheer practically fill every inch of space. Floor to ceiling and wall to wall.

It’s positively perfect.

The only way this could be better would be if Freya and Stella were here with us. Perhaps next year. For now, they’re with their families for the holidays.

I’m with my Redleg family. And it feels right as rain.

Life’s funny. Crazy how I considered myself an orphan a little over a year ago. Look at me now, surrounded by more love than I ever thought possible.

Speaking of my new family, Boss Dad saunters his way through the crowd toward me, a big grin barely visible from behind his fake powder-white beard and mustache.“Welp, you were right, and I was wrong. Gloat away.”

I shake my head. “Papa always said if you need to brag about your accomplishments, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Good deeds should shine in their own light.”

At the mention of the man who raised me, I’m socked in the gut with regret for bringing him up. Not because I don’t love talking about him—I adore thinking and yapping about all the things he taught me over the years. However, I’ve noticed when Papa or Mama comes up in conversation, a tightness camps out in Boss Dad’s jaw. And I don’t want to rob him of any happiness, especially now. After all he’s done for these people, he needs a night to bask in the glow and spirit of the season.

He wears the weight of the world on his shoulders when it comes to everyone at Redleg. In all my born days, I’ve never seen someone with the capacity for so much responsibility. I’ve seen his compassion and love for his family shine bright with every decision he made straight from the day we met.

At least I know I come from good stock.

He clears his throat, recapturing my perpetually wandering thoughts. “I got you a present. Want to see it?”

“Is a five-pound robin fat?” I blurt without thinking—my signature style.

His laugh is rich and pure. It dawns on me I haven’t heard it enough.

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