Page 71 of Mistletoe and Mischief

Cliff pinched his lips together, but didn’t speak.

Linc shook hands with Grace’s husband. “Linc Wyse,” he said, introducing himself. “My brothers, Ned and Mel.”

Hands were shaken and greetings exchanged all around.

“We were wondering if you were ever going to find the place,” Cliff told them.

“If it hadn’t been for the fireworks, we probably wouldn’t have,” Mel admitted.

Linc ignored him and glanced at the aid car. “Mary Jo?” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the question.

Grace nodded. “She had the baby.”

“A boy,” Mel said confidently. “Right?” His eyes lit up with expectation.

“A girl.”

“A girl?” Linc was shocked. “Mary Jo had a girl?”

“You sound disappointed,” Grace said, studying him closely.

“Not...disappointed. Surprised.”

Ned felt obliged to explain. “For some reason, we were all sure she was having a boy.”

“Well, she didn’t. You have a niece.”

“We have a niece,” Linc said to his brothers. Mel gave him a congratulatory slap on the back that nearly sent him reeling. He suddenly realized what this all meant. He was anuncle.He hadn’t thought of himself in those terms until that very moment.

“The EMTs are bringing Mary Jo and the baby down now,” Grace was saying.

“Can we see the baby?” Linc asked.

“And talk to Mary Jo?” Mel added.

Grace warmed them with a smile. “I’m sure you can.”

A little boy raced up to her. “Grandma, Grandma, can I play my drum for the baby and Mary Jo?”

Grace crouched down so she was eye level with her grandson. “Of course, Tyler, but remember you have to play quietly so you won’t disturb the baby.”

“Okay!”

Two EMTs rolled Mary Jo toward the aid car on a gurney.

As soon as she saw her brothers, Mary Jo—holding the sleeping newborn in one arm—stretched out the other. “Linc, Mel, Ned...oh, my goodness, you’re here!”

They hurried over to her side.

“You had a girl,” Mel said, staring down at the bundle in her arms.

“She looks just like you,” Ned commented.

“No, she doesn’t,” Linc chimed in. “She looks like the Wyse family—like all of us.”

“And like herself,” Mary Jo said.

“I’m sorry we were so late,” Ned apologized.

---