Page 15 of All I Want for Christmas

Her cheeks flushed as contrition filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, Neely Kate. That was incredibly narcissistic of me.”

I shook my head as I felt the familiar sting of unshed tears. “No.I’msorry. Of course you’d think that. Skeeter and Carter are practically married at hip.”

A half-hearted grin spread across her face. “I think it’sjoinedat the hip.”

“Whatever,” I said with a wave. “That’s not the point.” I stopped and looked around again then turned back to her. “He was there about Jed.”

Her brow shot up. “Jed!” she whisper-shouted. “What about him?”

“Carter said the Feds are gonna question him after the first of the year. He wanted to warn me so that we could get a good attorney and prepare for it.”

Rose’s face paled and she squeezed my hand. “Oh, Neely Kate!”

“I know.” I brushed a tear away.

“Are they questioning him about …” She grimaced. “You know who?”

I snorted. “You can say his name. And yeah, I think so. Carter thinks they’re hoping to build a stronger case to convict Skeeter.” A lump clogged my throat. “What if Jed has to incriminate himself?”

A fierce look washed over her face. “Carter’s right. You need an attorney. Is he gonna help Jed?”

“No, he said he can’t. It would look bad, not that Jed would probably want him to anyway. Carter said he tried to call Jed to tell him, but he’d blocked his number. Carter suggested I ask Mason for recommendations, because he thinks the questioning will take place in Little Rock.”

“Mason?” She drew in a breath and let it out. “Oh, Neely Kate, I’m so, so sorry.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks. “I can’t lose him, Rose. I just can’t.”

She pulled me into a sideways hug, so we didn’t smash our babies. “Youwon’t.Mason will know someone who will get him out of this.”

“Carter couldn’t get Skeeter out of his mess, and even Mason says that Carter’s good.Reallygood.”

“Well,” she said with a sigh. “I think Carterhadhelped him, and James threw it all away.” She dropped her gaze to Hope, then kissed her head as tears filled her eyes.

“You can’t feel guilty about that, Rose,” I said insistently.

She nodded, but didn’t look convinced, but then she forced a smile. “I have faith that Mason can help. The real question is why you’re confiding in me and not telling Jed.”

“I wanted this Christmas to be perfect, and if we have this hanging over our heads …”

“It’s already hanging overyourhead,” she said, squeezing my arm. “Besides, Jed has the right to know.”

I swiped a tear from my cheek. “I know he does. And I’ll tell him. Just let me have this weekend.”

“Okay.” She hugged me again, holding me tight until Hope began to squirm. “But youhaveto tell him next week. Joe and I will be happy to watch Daisy when you interview attorneys in Little Rock.”

“Little Rock?” I heard Joe say behind me. “Are you talking about our trip last weekend?”

Rose pulled away, but before either of us could answer, Jed said, “I thought you were supposed to be standing in line to see Santa.”

“You’re gonna let Hope see Santa?” Joe said in amused disbelief. “After what happened last weekend? I haven’t bought that umbrella insurance yet, so I’m not sure we should risk it.”

Eager to turn attention away from my conversation with Rose, I asked, “What happened last weekend?”

Joe’s eyes lit up. “I can’t believe Rose didn’t tell you. Hope was terrified of Santa, and when he leaned down to talk to her, she head-butted him in the face and busted his nose.”

“What?” I said, turning to Rose in shock. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She grimaced. “It’s not exactly something to be proud of.”

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