Page 87 of Home for the Holidays

“No need? Iris, you were in acaraccident.”

“As opposed to what? A boat accident? Come on. I swear. I amfine.”

“Fine, hmm?” Mary reached forward and turned Iris’s face back and forth. It looked a little forceful for Heidi’s taste, but she was also a mom. Sometimes, the need to make sure her kids were okay was all that mattered. “You don’t look fine. You look awful. I told you New York was going to turn you into skin and bones.”

“Oh my god,” Iris whispered as she jerked her face away. “Stop, please. I am fine.”

Zac’s soft harrumph didn’t go unnoticed by Heidi, who was wondering what exactlyI’m finemeant. Judging by her tone, Iris was the opposite of fine.

“How was the cruise?” Iris was trying desperately to change the subject. Surely it wasn’t going to work.

“It was marvelous,” Mary said before she sipped the cup of coffee she had asked for.

Holy shit, it worked.

“Sure. Marvelous.” Skip, Iris’s dad, shook his head. He was a cute man with almost white hair and a mustache. He was older than Mary for sure. By how much, Heidi wasn’t positive. That would be a conversation for another time. “You know how much Ilovethe Bahamas.” His sarcastic tone was hilarious.Mary runs the house. Got it.

“Skip, honey, you had a great time. Didn’t you?” Mary rubbed his hand. “You got to swim with a dolphin.”

He smiled. “Definitely a great time.” Mary beamed, and when Skip looked at Iris, he gave her a wink.

“That’s my guy.” Mary let out a small giggle before she stood and looked around. “Bathroom? May I?”

“Yes. Zac, can you show Mary the powder room?” Heidi felt a sense of pride when he stood without a single question and led her to the bathroom. He was such a good kid.

“Iris, you sure you’re okay?” Skip reached across the breakfast table and took Iris’s hand in his. “You look a little shaken up.”

“Can you blame me?” She motioned after her mom. “Why’d you let her come here?”

He raised his brows and stared at her, expressionless.

“Ugh, I know, I know. You couldn’t stop her even if you tried.”

“You’re her baby. Kelly and Gary don’t need us. But you? You still need us.”

“Kelly and Gary?”

“My stepbrother and stepsister.” Iris shrugged.

“Step?” Zac rushed back into the kitchen, sliding across the floor in his socks. “Step? Wait. Mary is clearly your biological mom, but…” He looked at Skip. “You’re herstepdad?”

He chuckled as he patted Iris’s hand. “You refer to me as your dad? I’m honored.”

She scrunched her face. “Yeah, sorry. I don’t keep in touch at all with my real dad. Skip’s always been my dad.” She shrugged. “Forgive me?”

“Sure, sure. All is forgiven.” Zac shook his head. “We will be having a very long conversation, but sure, all is forgiven.”

Heidi pulled him down next to her on the bench in the breakfast nook. “Stop,” she whispered.

“So,” Mary said as she returned to the kitchen. “We should be going.” Her eyes were red, her cheeks streaked from tears. Heidi’s desire to hug her, mom to mom, was strong. She gripped Zac’s hand instead and hoped he saw what she did.

“Stay,” Heidi said without thinking. She accepted the glare Iris gave her. “Have dinner with us.”

Mary was looking at Iris. “Is that okay?”

“Absolutely. Stay.” Iris’s smile did not reach her eyes. “Do you need to shower after the flight? There’s a guest bathroom upstairs.”

“That would be lovely.”

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