The Holiday Gift. RaeAnne Thayne

Faith said to her sister.

      “Yes. You’re beautiful.” Celeste’s eyes were soft and a little teary. “Sometimes you look so much like Mom.”

      “She must have been stunning,” Flynn said, kissing his sister-in-law on the cheek.

      Chase cleared away the little catch in his throat. “Breathtaking,” he agreed.

      Her cheeks turned pink at the attention. “I still think we’d have much more fun staying home and watching Christmas movies with the kids,” she said. She smiled at the three of them but he was almost certain he saw a flicker of nervousness in her eyes again.

      “Now, there’s absolutely no reason for the two of you to rush back,” Celeste assured them. “The three of us have got this covered. The kids will all be fine. Go and have a great time.”

      “That’s right,” Mary said. She gave Chase a pointed look, as if to remind him of their conversation earlier. “You ask me, these parties end way too soon. I suppose that’s what you get when you hang out with people who have to wake up early to feed their livestock. So don’t feel like you have to come straight home when it’s over. You could even go catch a movie in town if you wanted or grab drinks at that fancy new bar that opened up on the outskirts of town.”

      “The only trouble is we both also have to wake up early to take care of our livestock,” Faith said with a laugh that sounded slightly strained.

      “Louisa. Barrett,” she called. “I’m leaving. Come give me a hug.”

      All the children, not only her two, hurried down the stairs to join them.

      “You look beautiful, Faith,” Addie exclaimed. “What a cute couple you guys are. Wait. Let me get a picture so I can show my friends.”

      She pulled out the smartphone he didn’t think she needed yet and snapped a picture.

      “Oh! What a good idea,” Celeste said. “I want a picture, too.”

      “We’re just going to a Christmas party. It’s not the prom,” Faith said. Her color ratcheted up a notch, especially when Aunt Mary pulled out her phone as well and started clicking away taking pictures.