Page 26 of Holiday Haven

“A safe haven baby,” Alec explained. “Left in Adam's clinic.”

“She was sick, but Krista helped nurse her back to health,” Adam added. “She had a viral infection but has recovered well.”

“Growing like a weed,” Krista said with a smile.

“The poor thing,” Alice murmured, her expression troubled. “I’m glad God was watching over her by sending her mother to your clinic, Adam.”

Krista silently agreed. When Alice stood to begin clearing dishes, she rose to her feet to help. Amber did too and shot meaningful glances at her brothers. “Mom, sit down. We will take care of the dishes.” Austin and Adam exchanged knowing looks, then rose to their feet to pitch in.

“Nonsense.” Alice ignored her daughter until Adam grabbed the stack of dirty dishes right from her hands.

“It's no use, Mom. Why make us go through the same argument every time?” Adam wasn't taking no for an answer. “We can handle it. Go sit with Dad.”

With a sigh, Alice sat. The rest of the siblings jumped up to help, but the kitchen really wasn't large enough for everyone, so somehow Krista and Austin ended up manning the sink to wash and dry dishes while the rest of the clan cleared the table and put the leftovers away.

“Nick bought us tickets for the Christmas ball. Is anyone else going?” Amber wanted to know.

“What Christmas ball?” Austin asked, his hands immersed in a sink full of soapy water.

“It’s a charity for Children's Memorial Hospital,” Krista informed him. “They always hold it on the weekend before Christmas.”

“Really? Sounds like fun.” Austin nudged her with his elbow. She glanced at him in surprise. Was he suggesting they should go together? “Krista, I'd love to see you wearing a pretty ball gown.”

She arched her brow. “Austin Monroe, are you flirting with me?”

Austin winked, reminding her of his father. It was obvious where the Monroe men had gotten their charm. Abe Monroe was a flatterer, too.

“He’d better not be,” Adam said in a low voice. He set a stack of dirty dishes next to his brother and gave him a playful punch in the shoulder. “Not good form to move in on my date, bro.”

“Hey, I was just making innocent conversation,” Austin protested.

“Innocent? My butt.” Adam turned and walked back into the dining room.

Austin flashed a secret smile. “See? It's working. I bet he'll ask you to go.”

She rolled her eyes, returning his smile. “Thanks but I don't think I need your help.” She would rather Adam asked her to the ball because he really wanted to go with her, not because of some silly adolescent competition with his brother. The fact he'd only invited her tonight because his family had pushed the issue was bad enough.

Cleaning up from the aftermath of their meal didn't take long with everyone's help. Shortly afterwards people began to say their goodbyes.

On the way home, she relaxed in the passenger seat of his car, humbled at how Adam's parents and siblings had welcomed her into the fold. “You have a wonderful family.”

“Yeah, I know.” He paused, concentrating on the road for a bit before asking, “Speaking of family, how's your Aunt Bea doing?”

She glanced at him, surprised he'd remembered the one family member she truly loved. Her smile was sad. “She passed away a few months ago.”

Adam winced. “I'm sorry, Krista. I know you two were close.”

“Thanks.” She strove for a light tone. “She died peacefully in her sleep, so I can't complain. She wasn't nearly as mobile as she wanted to be after her stroke.”

“I remember.”

First, he'd rescued her from her disastrous date, and then had taken charge with Aunt Bea’s illness. He'd always been her knight, riding to the rescue, but she wasn't satisfied with that any longer.

She didn’t need to be taken care of. She wanted a partner, a man to raise a family with. Glancing at his closed expression, she couldn't make herself believe Adam was that man.

He pulled up in front of her apartment complex and kept the engine running as he reached over to take her hand. “You are welcome to come to our house for the holiday. My family would love to have you.”

His family? Not him personally? The offer was sweet, but she sensed he was feeling sorry for her because, like Joy, she didn't have any family. Or rather, she had family but didn't much care for them. Her other aunts and uncles had made hers and Danielle’s lives miserable. She did have her sister, but Danielle lived on another continent. For all practical purposes, she was alone. Like Joy. The thought was depressing. “Thanks, but I'm working the holiday.”

---