New Year's Day: A Lancaster Holiday Novella by Monica Murphy

Author:Monica Murphy [Murphy, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: EM Publishing
Published: 2023-12-11T21:00:00+00:00

FIVE

CAROLINA

“I’m tired.” Paris stretches her arms above her head, delivering a jaw-cracking yawn for emphasis.

I glance at the clock on the wall. “It’s just past eleven-thirty. Not much longer to midnight now.”

“I don’t know if I can make it.” Paris rubs her eyes, her sister magically appearing at her side and grabbing one of her hands and tugging on it.

“Come on, Paris. You’ll be fine.” Pru drags her away from where I stand with West, Paris sending us a glance full of longing over her shoulder before she turns and starts complaining to Pru.

West is shaking his head, chuckling. “We should let Paris go to bed.”

“And miss the countdown to midnight? I don’t think so.” I do a twirl in front of my husband, always wanting to dance but most everyone has settled down, awaiting the clock to strike twelve. The housekeeper brought out a tray full of cups of hot chocolate for the children along with cookies and brownies, and all of the kids—even some of the adults—are eating themselves into a sugar coma.

Even West is nibbling on the corner of a brownie and when he offers it to me, I take a delicate bite, laughing when he shoves more of it into my mouth. I eventually take the whole thing from him and finish it off, licking the tips of my fingers when I do.

“That was a mistake on my part,” West says, his gaze zeroed in on my mouth. “Marta’s brownies are the best I’ve ever had.”

“It was delicious,” I say with relish, acting like a brat because I can.

But only with him.

For some reason I dreaded coming to my brother’s house for the annual New Year’s Eve party this year. I wanted to stay home, all cozy in our apartment, enjoying the quietness that comes during that week between Christmas and New Year’s. The girls were happy staying home as well, playing with their new toys and watching movies at night with us. I didn’t want to leave the safety and warmth of our sweet little nest.

It didn’t help that the drive to Whit and Summer’s was a tad treacherous. The weather was terrible, the snow already coming down in thick white sheets, and West was having a hard time seeing, which made me nervous. By the time we arrived, I was an agitated, nervous wreck, thankful to be here for the next couple of days.

Turns out that getting snowed in and celebrating the New Year with only your immediate family isn’t such a bad thing. There’s no need for small talk or being on your best behavior. Yes, most of the guests at this party are usually people we’ve known for a long time and are practically family. People I trust.

Spending tonight with all the children though? It’s been wonderful. And we’re creating priceless memories they will never forget.

I love that.

“Come on.” West hooks his arm around my shoulders and steers me around. “Let’s go talk to your brother.”

Whit really didn’t like West at first. More like he didn’t know him and therefore, he didn’t trust him.

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