Page 42 of Knotty New Year

Candy

The next morning, on New Year’s Eve, I dragged myself out of the tub, brushed my teeth, got dressed in the lightest clothes I could find—since for some reason, the room I was in had the heat jacked way up—and went in search of coffee.

Instead, I found Benjamin, toddling as fast as he could down the hallway toward me, eyes bright with mischief, and jaw working as he swallowed something. He was wearing a fuzzy onesie that made him look like a tiny koala bear, and had red dye smeared all around his mouth. In each fist, he had a wet candy cane tightly clutched.

I heard a yelled, “Where did he go?” and stepped in front of him.

“I think your mommy is calling, little Ben.”

He stopped, almost toppling over, and a huge, almost toothless smile creased his pink-smeared face. “Can Cay, Can Cay!” He held up the candy, and I scooped him into my arms.

“That’s me, Candy Kane,” I agreed, carrying him back towards the shouting woman.

“Oh, thank goodness,” a ponytailed, petite woman sighed as I entered the room. She was dressed in a fuzzy onesie that matched Benjamin’s. “Candy! Oh my gosh, aren’t you freezing?”

“Can Cay!” Benjamin crowed.

“Hi, Ben!” I tickled him under his sticky chin. “No, I’m plenty warm. You’re Lindyann, right?”

“I am. And you are my favorite person in the world. Thank you for taking care of my angel last week.” Her eyes sparkled, and she rested one hand on her abdomen. “I needed that second honeymoon, and when I thought Nicky was going to call me home, I almost lost my mind. Not sure how I’ll handle two more.”

“Twins? I know someone who runs a betasitting agency,” I teased. “I bet I can set you up with a great nanny.”

“Love you so much,” she replied, and grabbed Benjamin from me, dropping a kiss on my cheek, then his. She pulled me into a room behind the kitchen, which had a wall of windows overlooking the mountain. The whole world was white with snow, with small deep green and brown patches showing on the pines. It was spectacular. “I’ll be back in a sec, Candy. Gotta hose down the little monster.” She padded away on koala bear feet.

I had to force myself to focus on the room itself. There was an enormous table along one wall, and it looked like all the family members I’d met the evening before were there. The triplets were on their phones, though they all looked up and greeted me.

None of them seemed unhappy to see me. Maybe Valentine had been wrong. I hoped not everyone was against me marrying their eldest brother.

I had a feeling I’d find out.

Luke and Teddy were filling plates with bacon and what smelled like fresh, homemade biscuits. My stomach growled, and I wandered closer. “Is there enough for me?”

“This plate is for you, little sister,” Teddy replied. “You eat bacon? Biscuits?”

“Homemade marmalade?” Luke added, placing a cup of coffee in front of me. “Caffeine?”

Teddy frowned at him. “Omegas need water. Juice. And food. She slept through dinner.”

Gah.He was so protective; it reminded me of Pax. My fiancé, who wasn’t here. My eyes began to sting.

“Damnit, Teddy, you’re making her cry,” Luke sighed. Obviously exasperated, he poured me glasses of juice and water and brought them over while Teddy piled yet another plate with cut fruit, Greek yogurt, and granola.

“I’ll explode if I eat all this,” I complained. “But I’ll die happy.” Teddy ducked his head, that blush on his cheeks again. I stuffed an enormous bite of honeyed biscuit in my mouth.

“I’ll die if I don’t get out on the slopes!” A young woman with cotton candy-pink hair, a light lavender ski suit, and snow boots clomped in the door, followed by another woman, a slightly older version with dark hair and a butter-yellow snowsuit.

“Penny, you know we’re waiting for… Candy! You’re awake,” the older one called. “Happy New Year’s Eve!” She came over, beaming at me. I tried to chew my biscuit and swallow it, but ended up choking and spluttering, spraying the table and the woman with crumbs.

Well, that was one way to make an unforgettable first impression: spit all over your future in-laws.

“Quick, the Heimlich maneuver!” Penny rushed over to pull me out of my chair. “Somebody call the paramedics! Thank god I took that online class.”I wriggled my way out of her grip, with the help of the other girls, who were all laughing like this wasn’t unusual for their little sister.

“Sorry,” the dark-haired older woman—who had to be Kati—muttered. “Penny’s a very dramatic soul.” She handed me my water while the others shuttled Penny away, who was already apologizing. The room was filled with noise, laughter, and the sounds of family.

“It’s okay, I like it,” I said truthfully once I could speak again. “I always wanted siblings.”

She snorted. “Not this many, I’m guessing.”

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