Page 8 of The Merriest Christmas

Finn shook his head."How do you know?"

"I'm older and wiser than you."

"That's only half-accurate."

"Emilia, come on," Seaver said."You could hit a patch of ice and skid off the road into a ditch."

"Seaver's right," Finn put in."You should stay home, Em.I mean it."

"And yet, I'm going," I said and opened the door.

"Em," he repeated and when I looked back at Finn, seeing the concern on his face, hearing it in his voice, I nearly caved.But then I glanced over his shoulder and saw the other reason I was leaving, staring back at me with dark brown eyes and a stony expression.

"I love you, Finn," I said, "but I'm going.The store's only five minutes away.If I'm not back in 30, send out a search party."

"You suck," Finn said.

"Love you too, little brother."

I was in my car and out of there in seconds.

Besides the food, I needed an escape.Time away from those eyes that seemed to follow my every move.I didn't know if Seaver was trying to intimidate me or what.Couldn't figure out who I was more upset at: Mom for inviting him in the first place, Seaver for having the audacity to show up; or myself for being unable to fully put him out of my mind.

The short drive did little to help with that.

Greta's Grocer'sreally was only minutes away.It didn't take me long at all to get there and pick up the food.Whether it was because of the holiday or poor driving conditions, there were hardly any other cars on the road and literally just one person working the register at the store.

"Surprised to see anyone out in this mess," Greta said and gestured to the store window."Looks like a blizzard's coming."

"Had to make a food run," I said with a smile."And you're here."

"Yeah, but I live out back."

"Ah."

"Wouldn't be crazy enough to drive, don't know a soul who would."

She lifted a brow as she handed me my bags.

"You be safe out there, Emmy O'Brien."

"I will.You stay safe too, Miss Greta.Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas."

The temperature had noticeably dropped by the time I walked back outside.A steady stream of rain and snow fell from the darkening sky.Just my luck.The storm came early.

Speaking of storms…

I couldn't forget Seaver's face as I looked back in my rearview mirror.

Not to see if he was still watching or anything.

I didn't care about that.

I just wanted to make sure Finn hadn't tattled on me to Mom.

But no, my brother had already gone back inside—while Seaver watched me.

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