Page 22 of Take Me Home for Christmas

The Friday after Thanksgiving was traditionally the day Elle’s mom finished decking out the inn for the Christmas holiday. The male McAlisters were assigned the outdoor duties of stringing lights and tying bows among the greenery draped along the wraparound veranda. Elle’s mom, her daughters and daughters-in-law took care of the public rooms. Elle’s mom and Lori were decorating the fifteen-foot tree in the grand salon. Since Jane was dating Ryan, she’d likely been conned into helping, too.

Except it was always Elle’s job to unpack and arrange the dozens of nutcrackers throughout the music room. Every year, she’d blast Tchaikovsky and move the wooden soldiers as if they were dancing the ballet. She was looking forward to having the room to herself today so she could mope in peace.

Aside from a quick text last night asking how she felt, she hadn’t talked to Hayden. Not that she knew what she would say to him. She was still trying to come to terms with his over-the-top reaction yesterday.

“How’s the ankle?” Kate asked.

Elle plopped down on the piano bench. “Better. The swelling is almost gone.”

“Continue to take it easy today,” Kate advised.

“Sure,” Elle replied absently as she took in the martini glasses and bottles of liquors spread out on the side table between the two women. “Are you day drinking?”

Jane chuckled. “That would be somewhat irresponsible since I have patients this afternoon. Although it might make things a lot more enjoyable.” Her brother’s girlfriend was a top-notch physical therapist in Chances Inlet.

“We are trying to decide which martini to make for the cocktail-making contest tomorrow night at the ugly sweater party,” Kate explained.

“The peppermint martini was a favorite at the bridal shower we had for Ginger and Lori last Christmas.” Jane held up a glass filled with a frothy white liquid. Its rim was dusted with crushed candy canes.

“But it was the gingerbread martini that got our girl here tipsy enough to finally do something about her feelings for our brother Ryan.” Kate wiggled her eyebrows. “We didn’t see either of them fordaaayyys. Maybe we should call it the horny-tini?”

Jane hopped to her feet. “We are not calling it that. Besides the peppermint one is easier to make. I’m sure we can win with it.” She checked her watch. “I have to get back. Come by the clinic tomorrow morning, Elle. I’ll work on that ankle with some heat therapy,” she offered. “That will help with any residual inflammation.”

“Or you could get Hayden to kiss it,” Kate suggested. “That would certainly make your boo-boo all better.”

Elle snatched the peppermint martini from Jane’s hand. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said before taking a sip. She had to give her sister props. The drink was a winner.

Jane patted her chest right over her heart. “It wasn’t ridiculous. It was romantic.”

“There was nothing romantic about it. We’re just friends,” Elle insisted before taking another sip. Anything to get her through this conversation.

“If you say so.” Jane waved as she left the room.

Kate remained quiet as she piled all the ingredients on a tray.A silent Kate was never a good sign.Meanwhile, Elle enjoyed the rest of the martini.Why not?It wasn’t as if she was able to do much else.

“How are you sleeping?” her sister asked eventually.

“Fine,” Elle lied. Not only was she stressed about Hayden, but her nightmares had returned to torment her. There was no point in telling her sister she’d slept in her clothes the night before.

“Hmm.”

Elle grew defensive. “I’m not your patient.”

“No. You aren’t. But you are my little sister. And I care about you.”

Kate was the family champion at dropping guilt bombs.

“I know. And I appreciate you. I really do. I’m handling it, though,” Elle said.

“Did you talk to someone like I recommended?”

“I read some articles. Like I said, I’m handling it.”

Elle couldn’t meet her sister’s eyes. She shifted her gaze to the big, mullioned windows with their view of the lawn where her brothers laughed together while they arranged the light-up deer in obscene positions.

Kate tsked, obviously following her gaze. “You’d think they were still in middle school.”

“Speaking of annoying man-children, have you seen West?”

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