BAH, HUMBUG!(12)
She smiled back, brightly. “In exchanged, I’ll do your family’s Christmas party.”
Just like that, huh? He grinned. “Oh, you are quick. I didn’t know reading Dick and Jane could sharpen the mental skills like that.”
She flushed pink and had the grace to look sheepish. “I guess I owe you an apology for the other night, too.”
“Accepted, but that’s not what I meant. You make hosting my family party sound so easy.”
“How hard can it be? Fix a turkey dinner and some pies.”
“That’s the point. I’m no good at all that.”
“But I am. I love to host big parties.”
Not for Kyle’s siblings. Not for Kyle’s dad. And especially not at Christmastime. It was a tempting thought, just not a wise one. He shook his head. “You don’t know my family.”
She looked horrified, while her green eyes reflected mischief. “Does snowman mutilation run in the family?”
He couldn’t keep from chuckling. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Well, then, how bad could they be?” She leaned forward and touched his hand. “I would really like to do this.”
Warmth spiraled from her hand into his and zipped up his arm, melting his normal reserve, and he conceded somewhat. “Perhaps.”
She smiled and withdrew her hand. She had him, now. “One other thing...”
He mock scowled, wishing he dared reach out and take her hand in his. “What now?”
“I’m a decorator.” She paused. “I’ve noticed you’re not.”
Could she say understatement? “Must have been the three minutes in my entryway the other night.”
“Didn’t take longer than thirty seconds.” She leaned toward him, earnest, her perfume inviting. “Let me decorate your house for the holidays.”
“Absolutely not.” He could feel his lips tighten. She might be pretty, but she was invading his space.
“Well, at least let me do your yard, then. You live on Christmas Street, for heaven’s sake, and you’ve got the only unlit house for three blocks.”
He took a deep breath and trotted out his usual lame excuse. “Listen. I don’t have time to decorate.”
“That’s why I’ll do it for you.” She sighed and the sound vibrated in the air sadly.
He wasn’t sure what to say, so he stayed quiet.
When she spoke again, she was serious. “Listen, I’m an only child, so I have no siblings. My parents died in a car crash, so I have no family whatsoever. I have no one but my kids. And I just moved into the area, so I don’t really have friends yet. Please allow me the privilege of surrounding myself with family, even if it is not my own. You’d be doing me a favor.”
Kyle looked at her and wanted to please her. The next moment, equally solemn, he found himself spilling his guts to this woman he barely knew. “It doesn’t help you get into the mood of the holidays if your mother died of cancer on Christmas Eve when you were nine years old.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Lexi sat back in her chair. “How awful for you.”
He waved a hand, trying to dismiss the subject he never spoke of. “It was a long time ago.”
“And you still don’t do Christmas.” She shook her head sadly.
Unexpectedly, he found himself chuckling. “I barely do family any more.”
“But that might be part of the healing for you. If you could do a family Christmas.”
“Listen, lady, I can barely stand to be in your house, there’re so many memories being triggered. That’s all I’d need is to have my family in my decorated house.”
She sat quietly for a minute, obviously thinking it out. “So does your whole family avoid the holidays?”
“You bet. All three of us boys. Dad, too. Although Keefe’s wife Alyssa does try to brighten things up at their house. She grew up next door, so she knew Mama, too.”
“What do you think would happen if you invited your family and decorated your house for them?”
“They’d probably walk in the house, turn around, march right back out, and double check the house number.” He drew in a deep breath. “Look, I don’t want your pity.”
“Pity?” She laughed warmly, the sound as sparkling and magical as pixie dust. “Boy, have you read me wrong. Getting you back into the holidays is the biggest challenge someone like me could have.”
The kids raced back into the room, and their pretty mother smiled. “Kids, Kyle Miller is going to be here for your birthday party. And we’re going to help him decorate his yard for Christmas.”
She was invading his space again. “Now, wait--“