Page 64 of Wild Nights

"Go wash your hands again." Marcus waved him off, and Joey scrambled to comply. It was clear that Marcus ruled the kitchen, and if Joey wanted to participate, he needed to followthe rules. Then he focused on us. "Do I need to remind you not to lick your fingers?"

"Nope," I said as Oliver shook his head. "We're trustworthy and hardworking."

Marcus snorted, and we laughed again. It was the best afternoon I'd had in a long time. We decorated cookies until Joey tired out. Then Marcus shooed us out of the kitchen. He'd allowed me to take a platter of the cookies to the dining room with strict instructions not to eat them all. Oliver and Joey headed upstairs to change Joey’s clothes. He was covered in a light sheen of powder, probably sugar or flour, and sprinkles.

I placed the platter on the table, and Arthur's eyes lit up. He reached over to grab a Santa. "It's nice to see some of the decorations ended up on the cookies."

I sat next to him. "You should see the kitchen. Everything is covered."

"I bet," Arthur said as he bit into the cookie.

"How was your day?" I asked him.

He chewed, then swallowed. "I enjoyed reading while watching the snow come down. Most relaxing day I've had in a long time."

I sighed, watching the light wane outside, but the snow steadily coming down. "Me too."

"What about you? You have family to get home too?"

"Just my mom and sister, but this year they both have significant others so it might look different than it has in years past." I was pleased I was able to say that without feeling a pang of disappointment. Maybe I was moving past it.

"Nothing stays the same."

"No. I guess it doesn't." I'd strived to keep everything the same since that Thanksgiving when Dad left, but no one else appreciated it. Maybe it was time for me to make some changes. I loved my job, but I wanted something more. Someone to come home to. "I room with my sister, but she'smoving in with her boyfriend. I wasn't sure what to do with the house, but now I think I'm going to sell it. See what the next chapter in my life brings."

"Good for you. Never too late to change course."

Would I rent or buy another house in Maine near my family? Or would I take the time to figure out what I wanted? I didn't have to decide right now.

Joey returned. "You want to go night sledding?"

I wasn't sure I wanted to go out in the cold again, especially not with the snow coming down hard.

Oliver followed at a slower pace. "You can't miss out on night sledding. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Yeah," Joey agreed. "Please?"

I laughed, catching Oliver's amused gaze over Joey's head. "How can I say no to that?"

"No one can say no to that face. That's the problem," Oliver grumbled as Joey ran off to see Marcus in the kitchen.

"What's so different about night sledding?" I asked him.

"We turn on the holiday lights on the lodge, and we have lights on the sled. It was his present last year."

"That's neat."

"Joey is spoiled with all of us buying for him. He has his aunt, uncles, cousins, and his grandparents."

"And you. Sounds like he's a lucky boy."

Arthur made a move to leave. "I'll let you get to your night sledding."

"Will you come down for dinner?" Oliver asked him.

"I don't think so."

"I'll send a tray up then."

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