Page 2 of Loving Words
I grabbed the cleaning cloth as I clenched the muscles in my jaw. “Your dad just called. They won’t be making it this year—”
“Seriously?” Kennedy snapped, causing me to flinch.
“So, I want you to enjoy the red room instead!” I said.
“They’re not coming?” Kennedy asked, dropping back her head with a sigh.
I bit back a chuckle at the girl’s resemblance to me. “Darlin’, he’s my son and your father, but we both know your parents are shit at family traditions.”
Kennedy shook her head. “I should have known they’d come up with some excuse to bail.”
Ignoring the sorrow behind Kennedy’s words, I said, “Your brother should be here tomorrow, right?”
Kennedy nodded. “I think he said either late tomorrow or the following morning. It all depends on when the jury deliberates.”
“That’s fine. It gives us time together,” I said, grabbing Kennedy’s hands and giving them a squeeze.
The oven beeped, and I turned toward the sound. “Go on, and I’ll have these cookies ready for you by the time you return.”
A few minutes later, the cookie tray on the stove, I heard the door to Kennedy’s room close. Grinning, I set the cookies on the cooling rack.
I hoped Kennedy would find herself in a better mood in the coming days. Peering over at the undecorated pine tree, I barely stopped myself from laughing like an evil witch. There was nothing a little Christmas magic couldn’t fix.
?Chapter 1
?Kennedy
The red room had alwaysbeen my parents’ room when we came for holidays. They usually arrived late, but this was the first year they’d canceled entirely. I couldn’t believe Dad didn’t bother telling me they weren’t coming when we spoke on the phone earlier.
I tossed my overnight bag and my briefcase onto the bed, a king size covered in a plush, cream-colored comforter. It contrasted well with the red wallpaper embossed with an ivy-and-rose design. When Harrison and I were young, we always tried to sneak into this room to look for presents. My brother had been, and still was, more adventurous than me. We butted heads more than I cared to admit, but I loved the big jerk. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, and I knew the feeling was mutual.
I pulled open the curtains to allow in the afternoon sun. This was the best part of the red room. The view was breathtaking. Instead of windows, two glass doors with ornate scrollwork on the frame stood in their place. Just past the door, two lounge chairs took up 90 percent of the small balcony. It was the perfect spot to relax and drink a good cup of coffee.
“Kennedy,” Gran called. “Cookies are ready. If you want them gooey, get your butt back down here.”
“Coming, Gran!” Smiling, I grabbed my purse, then shut the door and headed back downstairs.
