She smiled in triumph, and the kids squealed in excitement so that he couldn’t say any more, not without disappointing them. How did she know he’d react this way?
She’d played him.
Like a musical instrument.
And, he realized with surprise, he’d enjoyed being played. But it scared the daylights out of him to think about actually celebrating Christmas. “I’m not inviting my family.”
“You have to.” Her eyes lit up. More mischief, no doubt.
“And why exactly is that?”
“Because otherwise my kids will think you’re chicken.”
She’d issued a challenge, and her kids knew it. Their eyes grew large and they glanced from their mother to him and back again.
The silence lingered in the air until Lexi placed her hands on her hips, arched an eyebrow, and said, “Triple dog dare you.”
He chuckled again at the sight. Oh, what could it hurt? His mother had died twenty-two years ago. If this pretty redhead with the domestic touch was right and this party would be a healing thing, that would be a good thing, right? Besides, it would give him a great excuse to spend more time with Lexi. And, surprised, he realized he very much wanted more time with Lexi.
Slowly a smile spread over her face. “So you’ll be inviting your family, Mr. Miller?”
“I’ll call them tonight.” He found himself smiling in return. “If they don’t die of surprise, I suppose they might even show up.”
“Good.” She pulled out a notebook and a pen. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”
“I can’t think of anyone more suited to getting it done. Just don’t plan on putting my yard on your show.”
“No guarantees on that one. Your place is going to be so gorgeous it’ll be a shame to waste it.”
Amazed, he could hardly believe he’d agreed to invite his family. What was there about this woman that invited his confidences about Mama? And why was he letting her call the shots on this--and not minding?
She didn’t look one bit like his exotic Italian beauty of a mother, Gabriella Fiorenza Calabria Miller. But he was beginning to think Lexi had the same strength of will his mother had exerted over his big Irish father, who she could get to agree to anything. And he was beginning to understand why his father had let her have her way.
Lexi’s smile was very pretty. He liked to see her use it.
He suspected his father would like this woman, too.
He drew in another deep breath. He’d never thought he’d celebrate Christmas again. And now he supposed he really ought to get back to his book. But one more look at Lexi, and he decided he could stay away from it for another half hour or so.
The board games lasted closer to two hours.
* * *
As soon as he reached home, Kyle dialed his brother’s number.
“Hello.” Keefe’s wife answered.
“Hi, Alyssa. It’s Kyle.”
“I vaguely remember you,” she teased lightly. “Aren’t you the black sheep of the family?”
“That’s me.” He drew in a deep breath. “Keefe told me if I didn’t host the party this year it would fall on you again.”
“Oh, that’s all right. I enjoy doing it.”
“You know what, why don’t you get Keefe on the other line. I’m not sure I can say this twice.”
“What’s wrong?” Her voice grew concerned.
“Nothing’s wrong.” At least he didn’t think so. Or everything was wrong, he wasn’t sure. “Just get Keefe.”
He could hear her call her husband, and then the click of another phone.
“I’m on.”
“Hi, Keefe. Okay, guys, I guess you’re all wondering why I’ve called this meeting.”
Keefe snorted. “To tell us you can’t make it for the Court of Honor, either?”
Kyle deserved that, he supposed. He’d spent too much time in the last five years avoiding all family gatherings. “No. Actually, I’m taking you up on your invitation to host the party this year. You’re all invited to my house for the holidays. With one condition.”
There was silence for a moment on the line. Then Alyssa laughed. “That’s great. You’re celebrating a holiday, all right. It’s a little early for April Fool’s Day, but with you it’s a start.”
“What’s the condition?” Keefe sounded suspicious.
“It’s a cinch. Just call Dad and Kenneth for me. Because I really do have a bear of a deadline.”
“Anything you want us to bring to go with the peanut butter and banana sandwiches? Good thing we’re not wine drinkers because I just wouldn’t know whether to bring red or white.” Keefe asked.