Page 19 of Take Me Home for Christmas

“Yeah, you know. They were a family with like, six kids from Depression-era Virginia who all, like, loved each other.” He shook his head incredulously.

“Seven kids,” I corrected. Before I could tease him that I knew all about the show my mom had watched as a child, much less grew up watching nearly every episode myself, he said, “But they sure didn’t have brothers who looked likethat.”

I bit down on my lower lip to not laugh and then patted him on the shoulder in sympathy. “You should be more scared of my mom. She’s a real hugger. My dad’s a bit calmer, but if you starthim talking about fishing, you’re going to be hanging with him for quite a while.”

My attempt at humor didn’t work. “So, who are the linebackers?” he asked as he stopped the car at the top of the driveway.

“Caleb’s the taller one, and Liam’s the one with the big beard.” I stuck my arm out the window and waved back.

“I should’ve brought my shoulder pads.” A shadow of worry clouded his face. Unflappable Brax suddenly looked very…flappable. And I was loving every minute.

“Don’t worry,” I said, opening my door. “They’ll only tackle you if you fumble.” And then I got out.

My brothers whooped. Our little dachshund Cooper bolted straight down the porch stairs and ran all the way across the driveway to greet me.

“Cooper!” I bent down, my arms open wide.

Beside me, Brax emitted a low whistle. I think I understood why. Our house was picture-postcard perfect, complete with pine boughs draped around a picket fence that surrounded the large yard, and around that, fields, stretching for acres in three directions. The backyard, with its red barn, faced a little lake and some woods. And the front was…well, magical. With the snow and the lights, it tookmybreath away too.

I received an amazing welcome from the dog. What did it matter if all men sucked? Cooper was literally licking my face all over with doggie kisses, almost as thrilled to see me as I was him. I couldn’t stop laughing. “Cooper! Coopy baby! I missed you so much. Yes, I did.”

After a minute of intense mutual affection, I dusted myself off and stood up.

“I never heard you do that before.” Brax gave me an amazed look.

“Do what?” I asked. “Baby talk to my dog?”

“Giggle.”

I made a dismissive gesture, but to be honest, his comment startled me. Did I giggle at work? Or anywhere? I hadn’t exactly been feeling carefree these past few months.

I kept riling up the dog, and he was jumping, sniffing, and running in circles around me. As I lovingly bent to ruffle the fur on his neck, I said, “Cooper, meet Brax.”

His big brown doggie eyes were full of love for me.Me, me, me. Not Brax, to whom he gave the complete cold shoulder.

I’m not going to lie. It felt great to be somebody’s favorite, loved unconditionally. I wondered if Brax knew what that was like? I mean, not just from a dog. From people.

“Hey, buddy,” Brax said, bending low and extending his hand a little. Copper barely sniffed it, returning to lick my face instead.

I have to say, Brax looked a bit put off. How many of our coworkers didn’t like Brax? He was one of those charismatic people who never lacked for the right words, and when he smiled—oh, Lordy, when he smiled, half the female population of Milwaukee swooned. I bit back a laugh as I straightened up. “Don’t take it personally,” I said. “He just misses me.”

I felt Brax’s hand on my shoulder. “If your dog’s this excited, I can’t wait to see how the rest of your family acts.”

“Ha.” I looked up and grinned. “Just you wait.”

Just then, the front door opened again. My mom ran out, wearing a blue checked flannel shirt and a Christmas apron that saidWe Whisk You a Merry Christmas. Her hair was very short, cut in a pixie, and it was gray and curly—I was used to it being dark brown, straight, and layered. The last time I’d been home, in early fall, it had barely started growing back. I shouldn’t have been shocked because we talked on FaceTime a lot but seeing her in person made tears sting behind my eyes. I ran to meet her, and before I knew it, I was wrapped in her familiar, vanilla-scented embrace as the rest of my family gathered around.

She kissed me and drew back to look at me, smiling widely, just as always. “Sweetheart,” she said, and that one word, coupled with her beaming love, made me grateful beyond words to be standing here, in this snowy gravel driveway, surrounded by everyone I loved.

There is nothing in the whole world like an embrace from your mother. And mine had just made it through hell and back. She was thin and a little pale, but she was here, and as full of life as ever.

She soon moved on to Brax. “Braxton,” she said, looking him over at arm’s length and then clasping both his hands in hers. “We are so thrilled to finally meet you. Mia’s told us so much about you.”

A pang of guilt needled me in the gut. To Brax’s credit, he didn’t so much as steal a questioning glance in my direction. Or blink at the sound of his name on my mom’s lips. While he got caught up in a giant hug, my mom said something low to him that I couldn’t quite hear. I could only see his cheeks color, and he nodded and smiled.

That was interesting. What did she tell him?

“Call me Beth,” she said warmly. Then to me she whispered, “I like him.” Threading her arm through mine, she added, “He’s so handsome.”

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