BAH, HUMBUG!(19)

Lexi motioned to her children. “Trista and Steven have a movie ready to play in the next room. A Christmas Story, I think. You kids can go in there if you’d like.”

Trista, the perfect little hostess, helped put away the coats and boots that the kids shed, and then led them to the movie room. Lexi took the adults’ coats.

Lexi shut the door and motioned for them to come in. “Kyle went out for some last minute shopping. He’ll be back any minute.”

Keefe raised an eyebrow. “Shopping? Kyle? Are you sure you haven’t turned him into a Stepford brother?”

“Hey, Dad, come see this,” one of Keefe’s kids called out.

“I’ll be back, ladies.”

Alyssa turned slowly in the entryway, touching the holly entwined around the mirror, shaking her head in disbelief at the miniature wooden sleigh and reindeer on the edge of the living room carpet, going closer to get a good look at Lexi’s homemade centerpiece nestled on the fancy cherry wood dining room table. “I’m stunned by what Kyle has done to his place. And I’m so excited to meet you.” She stopped. “Wait a minute. Did you somehow arrange for all this decorating to go on?”

Lexi laughed as she led the way into the family room and sank into one of the fluffy overstuffed chairs. “I did.”

Alyssa sat on the couch. “No wonder. I couldn’t figure out what came over him. He never has family over. And he never decorates. None of them do. Keefe resisted it the first few years we were married, but he’s getting better.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Their mother died on Christmas Eve.”

“I heard. It’s very sad.”

“How well do you, um...” Alyssa leaned back. “...know Kyle?”

“Actually, I just moved into the house next door last week. The first night I built a snowman, which Kyle tore apart when he realized the murder weapon in his book could be hidden inside.”

Alyssa laughed. “He over-focuses when he’s on a deadline. Tell me how you ever convinced him to do all this? I mean, reindeers and sleighs on the lawn? Lights over his entire roof? Elves?”

“I think I may have blackmailed him.”

“Whatever it takes. And I’m glad you’re living next door. I’m already seeing improvements in Kyle’s attitude. Keep up the good work.”

Keefe entered the room. “Has Alyssa been telling you how we Miller boys are bad boys?”

It was Lexi’s turn to laugh. “No. Are you?”

“Actually, they don’t mind being called bad boys. But they hate being called handsome warriors.”

Keefe growled in mock anger.

“See what I mean?” Alyssa laughed again. “Has Kyle told you this story?”

“No.” Lexi shook her head. “Please share it with me.”

The front door opened and Kyle entered the room. “Hi, family.”

“You got home just in time.” Keefe groaned. “Alyssa’s out of control again.”

“Is Alyssa sharing her fruitcake cookies?”

His brother shook his head. “Worse.”

Kyle sat on the arm of Lexi’s chair, a move so intimate that it threw her. “You’ve all met my beautiful neighbor, I take it.”

“I love what you’ve done to the place, Kyle,” Alyssa said and winked at Lexi.

“I had help,” Kyle said.

“Really? I never would have guessed.” Alyssa smiled. “And you can’t distract me from my story, Kyle. But nice try.”

Kyle sighed. “Okay. Which story are you spilling tonight?”

Alyssa laughed. “About the handsome warriors.”

Kyle groaned.

“Didn’t I warn you?” his brother said. “Come on, let’s grab some eggnog.”

Both men rose and, shaking their heads, left.

Totally intrigued, Lexi said, “I can hardly wait.”

“Gabriella--that was their mother--was Italian, a beautiful dark-haired beauty, who fell for their father, Kelly Miller, this big Irish guy. He’ll be here any minute and you’ll see for yourself. Anyway, Gabriella absolutely fell in love with Irish names. Kelly stands for “warrior” and she gave each of her three sons the middle name of Kelly, after their father. And each of their first names--Keefe, Kenneth and Kyle--all mean a variation of handsome. She had a houseful of handsome warriors.” Alyssa shrugged. “I think it’s cute.”

“Is the other brother as handsome as these two?”

As she spoke, Keefe and Kyle re-entered the room, carrying a tray with four glasses full of, she assumed, eggnog.

“Oh, Kenneth is definitely the cutest of the three. And much easier to get along with than Kyle.”