The Baby's Christmas Blessing by Meghann Whistler

Author:Meghann Whistler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-07-13T19:19:34+00:00

Chapter Ten

Irene did not need to be liberated. She was a happy participant in the Christmas party that was going strong in Mabel’s room.

Or at least that’s what it seemed like to Chloe. In addition to Irene and Mabel, there were a couple other elderly widows and widowers crowded into the room, drinking Christmas punch, eating fruitcake and laughing loudly while exchanging white elephant gifts.

Bill Anderson had just unwrapped a pair of gaudy snowman earrings that he was holding up and showing off like a game show model.

“Very you, Bill,” Chloe said, grinning, her eye on the fruitcake, which had the white marzipan icing she loved so much.

Steve, on the other hand, stopped dead in the doorway. “Um, does the hospital allow this many visitors in the room at the same time?”

Bill smiled and waved Chloe and Steve inside. “Come on in, kids. Have some punch.”

Chloe slipped past Steve and poured them each a cup from the pitcher resting on the windowsill. As she walked back to Steve, she took a sip. It was perfect—a light and fizzy mix of cranberry juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice and ginger ale. “Oh, wow. Who made the punch?”

Sarah Jenkins, the owner of the British-themed B and B on Main Street, shyly raised her hand. “Try the cookies, dear. I made the Linzer ones you like.”

Sarah’s shortbread cookies were amazing. “The ones with raspberry jam and powdered sugar?”

Sarah nodded.

Chloe piled up a little paper plate with cookies, fruitcake and Nantucket cranberry pie, one of her brother’s specialty desserts.

“Aunt Mabel,” Steve said, shifting Aiden higher on his shoulder. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”

Mabel made a scoffing noise. “I’ve been stuck in bed for the last two days and I’m going under the knife tomorrow, Steven. Don’t be a party pooper. Let us have our fun.”

Aiden squawked, and the older folks all laughed.

“Even the little fella agrees,” Bill said, coming to take a closer look.

Steve took Aiden off his shoulder and held him in his arms so Bill could see him better. “Guess so.”

“Handsome little guy.” Bill gave Steve a sly grin. “Must take after his uncle.”

Steve smirked. “Thanks.”

“Oh,” Sarah cooed, coming closer. “Look at him! Those tiny hands! Those tiny feet! That tiny nose!” As she reached over to stroke the baby’s cheek, Aiden let out a loud cry.

“Those big lungs!” Bill added, waggling his salt-and-pepper eyebrows, and everybody laughed again.

“I think he’s hungry,” Steve said.

“Want me to take him?” Chloe asked through a big bite of fruitcake.

Steve gave her loaded plate a pointed look. “How about you make the bottle, and then I’ll give it to him so you can finish your treats,” he suggested, sliding the diaper bag from his shoulder to the floor.

Chloe put down her desserts to pick up the bag. “Sure.”

“Look at you two,” Irene said. “Such a good team.”

Chloe blushed. She and Steve did seem to work well together, but Irene’s tone made it sound like there was a lot more to it than that.

Sure, they were friends now, but that’s all they were.

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