Christmas Stalking by Anne Marie Becker

Author:Anne Marie Becker [Becker, Anne Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944055998
Publisher: Anne Marie Becker

Chapter 6

The Haney household was as noisy as expected, but in the most delightful way. A tall blond man, obviously one of Matt’s brothers, greeted them at the door. Gwen had barely been introduced to Billy when Michael, also tall, broad-shouldered, and blond, swept in and relieved her of the pie plate she carried. He sniffed it appreciatively. The two men could have been twins, but Matt explained that, while they often shared a bond that rivaled twins, his two older brothers were a year apart. In the living room, she was introduced to the eldest brother, Seth, and Matt’s father, Donald.

“Dolly’s in the kitchen,” Donald explained. He was a tree trunk of a man, and was evidently responsible for the height gene his sons had inherited. His brown eyes twinkled warmly. “She’ll be thrilled to meet you.”

“Told you,” Becca said as she and Diego passed, their arms laden with wrapped gifts as they helped transfer them from Matt’s trunk to the base of the Christmas tree.

Gwen was grateful that Matt let them handle the presents, preferring to stick by her side while his brothers asked her question after question, mostly derivations on the theme of how Matt had gotten so lucky. At least their ugly sweaters added levity to the event and helped her relax. Even Donald’s sweater was comically hideous.

Matt took her coat and hung it on a nearby hook.

“You came prepared,” Seth said with a grin, gesturing to the sweatshirt she wore. She and Matt had bedazzled it with twinkling lights connected to a portable battery pack.

“She wanted to fit in,” Matt said, putting his arm around her waist. The warm weight of his hand on her hip was comforting.

“Eggnog?” Becca asked a few minutes later, using the excuse to pull her away from the inquisition. “Sorry. I know they can be a bit much.”

“I’m not used to so many people,” Gwen admitted.

“Your family isn’t like this?” Becca had led Gwen into the kitchen where Diego and Dolly, the Haney matriarch, were slicing and assembling ingredients. The smell of herbs and spices scented the air.

“It’s just me and my parents. Sometimes they invite colleagues over. They don’t do much for the holidays.” Even before Jenny’s death, they hadn’t been the type to engage in traditions, but after Jenny had run away, it had been like they’d shunned celebrations of any type. A flash of memory hit her in the sternum. Jenny waking her at midnight to creep downstairs. They swarmed over the presents, shaking and peeking and guessing whose was what, and picked through the stockings before putting everything back as it had been. And then before crawling back to bed, they nibbled at whatever cookie remnants Santa had left behind. She’d forgotten about those lighter days, when her family had still felt like a family.

“We’re all glad you joined us,” Dolly said, overhearing Gwen’s comment and immediately wiping her hands before coming around the island to embrace her. Her hair, shoulder-length and a natural blend of white and blonde, smelled of the sugar cookies she’d baked earlier.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.