The Marine's Holiday Harbor by Kirsten Lynn

Author:Kirsten Lynn [Lynn, Kirsten]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, military
Publisher: Kirsten Lynn
Published: 2019-12-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Caleb

“Okay, tell me if it’s straight.” I look through the balsam branches and smile at the furrowed brows on Brynn’s, Michael’s, and Ella’s faces.

“Come on, Caleb, straight or not?” Brian grumps above me. I don’t know what the rush is for him, he’s standing and holding the trunk. I’m the guy under the stupid thing, tightening it into the tree stand and getting major rug burn.

Brynn inspects the tree from stern to bow. “Looks straight to me. You guys?”

“Yeah, to me too.” Michael nods.

Ella steps closer and squats on her heels in front of me. “Is it pretty under there?”

“Come under and see.”

In a blink I’m joined by Little Bit staring up through the branches as I tighten the screws into the trunk. “It’ll be prettier when we get the lights on.”

“Oooh.” She crawls closer with her bulldog being dragged by the ear. She scoots under my arm, bulldog and all. Her eyes close and it’s the sweetest picture of contentment I’ve ever seen when she inhales the scent of balsam fir. “Nice.”

Dropping a kiss on the top of her head, I try to absorb some of her light. “Very nice.”

She turns on her side and in her four-year-old stage whisper leans close. “I love you, Uncle Caleb.”

“Love you, too, Little Bit.”

She kisses my cheek before crawling out butt first. “It’s beautiful under there, Uncle Brian.” I shake my head at her booti-full.

“Sure is.”

My smile drops at the catch in the big man’s throat. Sliding out from under the tree, only Michael and Ella are still looking at the tree, Brynn and Brian are avoiding eye contact at any cost.

“All right, Angel, you got the lights?”

Brynn snaps to attention. “Yeah.” She grabs a coil of lights from the couch where she spread out the decorations. There’s not a knot to be found in the wires. The lights are so squared away a drill sergeant would be proud.

“I’ll head out then.”

She rests a hand on her brother’s arm, stopping him. “Stay. We’re having hot chocolate after.”

Brian leans down and brushes a kiss on her head. “Tempting, but I have a better offer at Mom and Dad’s. It’s taco night.”

“Oh.”

He holds out his hand, and I accept. With a firm shake, he tips his head to where Brynn stands. “Sorry, Caleb. I misjudged you. I should have known you’d do right by them all.”

“I’ve messed up enough to give you doubt. Thanks for the tree.”

“Absolutely.” He sits on his heels. “Can this uncle get a hug?” The kids don’t hesitate, but give a joint hug to the bear. “Okay, have fun.” He turns to Brynn before stepping out. “I’ll be out to check the light later this week. If you notice anything…”

“I’ll let you know.”

Michael and Ella start picking up each ornament and discussing which should go on first. I wave to the tree when Brynn’s gaze snags mine. She takes one side and I take the other as we start winding the lights around the tree.

“This is a nice tree.”

“Sure is, but not as nice as the one you gave me in Afghanistan.

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