Page 40 of A Very Merry Matchup
He scratches behind his ear with a wince. “Misty called and said I needed to do whatever I could to make you stay longer than the twenty-sixth, and when Misty’s pregnant I just do what she says.”
I clamp my lips together to keep from smiling. Doesn’t work. My breath comes out in a puff of air as I laugh. “I don’t know whether to be scared or flattered everyone in this town seems so determined for me to stay.”
I guess I’m flattered. Because any thoughts about leaving for Nashville today blow away in the next burst of wind as easily as the powdered snow.
“If I take off the boot, will you at least tell Misty I tried?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
O Christmas treats, O Christmas treats...
Beau
So much for stealing kisses from Ivy beneath any bells. I haven’t had a moment alone with her since the second we got back from shopping.
While I wrapped the last-minute gifts for my nieces, Ivy ran to the grocery store to pick up a few things Mom still needed for the traditional pre–Christmas Eve church service snacking and the traditional post–Christmas Eve church service feasting.
Then before Ivy had a chance to return from the store, Dad was already commandeering me to help with all the random things that pop up when you’re the minister of asmall church. Things like locating Miss Opal’s cat again. Picking Miss Opal’s Christmas tree off the floor when her cat climbed to the top. Helping Miss Opal give her cat his daily medicine. Squeezing Miss Opal’s cat into a Christmas sweater so they could pose for their annual Christmas photo.
Basically, my dad put me in charge of Miss Opal and her cat all afternoon. By the time I make it home, I’m starving for both food and Ivy.
The scent of hot chili cheese dip, lil’ smokies, and hot cranberry apple cider greets me soon as I step inside. Hamish and Pinky Collar are quick to follow.
“Smells good, Mom,” I call out while I do a quick wrestling match with the dogs.
“Everything’s just about ready,” she calls back.
When I step into the kitchen she hands me a container of sour cream from the fridge. “Give that to Ivy.”
Ivy’s standing at the kitchen sink with a bowl full of spinach. I hand her the sour cream and lean down by her ear. “Sure you don’t want to mix this all together beneath that bell over there?”
She smirks back. “I think I’m good right here.”
“How’s everything at the church?” Mom asks, closing the fridge door.
“Good to go as far as I know. Dad said if he’s not back by four, we should start on the appetizers without him.”
My mom shakes her head. “He says that every year. He knows we’re not eating without him. The service isn’t until six thirty. He’ll have time to join us.”
As usual, she’s right. Dad walks through the door a little before five. Enough time to load his plate full of dips and appetizers and join the rest of us, including Janey’s family, who always walks over for all our Christmas Eve festivities.
“Do you have any sort of special Christmas Eve traditions?” Mom asks Ivy as we all crowd around the kitchen table, standing and snacking.
“When I was younger my grandma always made oyster stew on Christmas Eve. She and my brother loved it, but I never could stand the texture of oysters. So she’d make a special batch for me that I could just put oyster crackers in. Then we’d watch the movieBabes in Toyland. The one with Annette Funicello.”
“Oh, I like that one,” says Nana. “Tommy Sands, right? He was a dish.”
Soon as we finish round one of our Christmas Eve eating, Dad bundles up to get back to the church.
“I think I’ll head out now, too,” I tell Mom as she starts clearing things up and popping a few dishes into the oven for later. “Make sure there isn’t anything else that needs done.”
I can already think of one thing. I just hope I’m not too late.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ocome let us adore him,
Ocome let us adore him,
