Page 68 of Twins for the Silver Foxes

“Henry would’ve lovedto have seen that.” I shook my head. “He used to dress up and go out every Christmas. He’d pretend to be a caroler, and if people said no to his songs, he put coal on their steps.”

“Or in their mailboxes.”Arthur chuckled. “He brought me along one year. Made me carry a whole bag of coal. By the end of the night, I’d used every piece.”

“That’sbecause Dad couldn’t sing.” Hannah laughed then blew out a long cloud of white breath. “He used to do that to ourneighbors. One year, it was so bad they tried to bribe him with food not to sing anymore.”

I didn’t even tryto stop my laughter. “I told him once that he sounded like a wounded bear.”

Hannah agreedwith a nod and a grin. “That was on a good day. When he really belted it out, like when we cleaned house and listened to the radio, he’d get so loud and annoying that I started wearing earplugs.”

Megan and Arthurslowed until they ended up at the back of the group. They spoke to each other, Megan asking questions about things she’d missed growing up and Arthur offering support and answers the best he could.

“Between the Christmas caroling,cookies, and buying presents for every kid in my class at school, he was a pretty popular guy.” Hannah held it together as we walked and talked. “He had this one ornament for the Christmas tree, and it didn’t matter what I said or did, that ornament always went on last. He said it was tradition, and you never broke tradition.”

“He started that in college.”Arthur spoke up. “Was it a snow globe ornament?”

“Yeah. How’d you know?”

“Because he boughtall of us one and made us promise that no matter where we lived, no matter where life took us, we’d alwayshang that ornament on our tree at Christmas and remember him,” I answered before Arthur had the chance to.

“But.”Hannah stopped and turned. “You didn’t say anything about that. When we decorated the tree.”

“The snow globeornaments are still in their boxes.” Scott inched off the sidewalk so others could pass. “We wanted you and Liddy to hang them with us this year. Kind of a new start for an old tradition.”

“Like this.”I placed a hand on Hannah’s elbow and started walking again. “Maybe we can start a few new traditions. Like taking a walk around downtown and looking at the decorations and lights. Watching the tree lighting ceremony.”

“I’d like that.”Hannah answered, a shy smile brightening her eyes.

We madeit all the way to the town center and up to the massive tree taking up almost an entire block. Liddy craned her neck with an “Ooh” and stared up with her mouth dropped open.

“Thank you.”Hannah rested her temple on my shoulder and hugged me with one arm.

From devastated to happy. I’d call this night a success. Once Liddy finished examining the tree, declaring it beautiful but not as pretty as ours, we turned and made our way back to the SUV. Hannah offered to drive her car back, but Megan and Arthur said they would take it, using the opportunity to spend time together for some more father/daughter conversation. Iexpected there would be many more of those talks in the upcoming weeks and months.

Deena metus at the front door with promises of warm drinks and food, and we ate hurriedly as Liddy yawned and almost fell asleep in her soup. Hannah carried her toward the stairs, pausing beside me. “I’ll be over once I put her to bed. Tell Scott and Arthur.”

Megan leftthe dining room with a goodnight and a kiss to Arthur’s cheek. We retreated to my room moments later to wait for Hannah, and when she walked in, I knew for certain that Chad’s callous neglect had been overcome. Her attempt to let Chad back into Liddy’s life had failed, but I was glad to have it over and done so we could move on.

Hannah flippedthe lock on my door and lowered the robe from her shoulders. Beneath it, she wore a red, lacy satin slip that showed every curve and hollow. Scott stretched out in the bed and locked his hands behind his neck. “I need to say something.”

“Me too.”Arthur and I chimed in together.

Hannah stilled instantly. “What?”

I stoodfirst and took her hands. “Hannah, there is no other woman in the world for me. I’ve fallen so deeply in love with you that you never leave my thoughts.”

“You stole my line.”Scott scooted around and planted his feet on the floor. “I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were not ready to hear us.”

“Us?”An audible swallow sounded.

“Us.”Arthur confirmed by standing and moving to her side. “We’re all in love with you. No one expected it, and we didn’t plan for it. Maybe today isn’t the best day to admit it but?—”

“Love should never be hidden away,”I finished for him.” Feelings are never shameful.” I sat and pulled her onto my lap. The red satin spilled over my legs, revealing her porcelain skin. “We want you in our lives, Hannah. Not just our beds.”

“You…”She stuttered and stopped, looking to Scott for help.

He droppedinto the chair beside me. “I love you. So do Arthur and Ryland. We’re madly in love with you. The I want to be with you forever kind. The will you marry me kind.” We’d not prepared that part, but Scott often went off script so I wasn’t surprised.

Tearswelled in Hannah’s eyes. “You’re not just saying that because I’ve had a bad day?”

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