One More for Christmas(78)

“You weren’t horrible—you were honest. Sisters should be able to be honest with each other. And you were right. I have closed myself off. But I’m trying to change that. Tell me what happened with Mom yesterday. And don’t give me ‘mmm.’ I want details.”

Ella was starting to wonder if her sister had bumped her head. She’d been reluctant to come on this trip, but now she was behaving as if she was having the best time ever.

“It started off okay. Great, actually. She was like a different person.”

“She was good with Tab? Didn’t say the wrong thing?”

“She would have won grandmother of the year.”

“That’s great. That’s hopeful.”

“I thought so, but then I messed up. But nothing new there. There is so much about her that we don’t know, and I tried asking—I thought it might help if we got to know each other a little better. Did you know she lived in Connecticut before moving to Manhattan?” Her sister’s surprised expression answered that question. “Me neither. But these little gems keep emerging, like the fact she thought her honeymoon was foolish. Or maybe she thought she was foolish.”

“Foolish?”

“Don’t ask me for clarification, because I don’t get it. I was trying to piece together a puzzle based on nothing. I tried asking her about Dad, but she shut down. Wham. It was like a door closing on my hand.”

“She’s not used to talking to us about personal things.” Samantha laced her boots. “We need to persist. Is she joining us today?”

“I think so.” What if her mother spoiled the trip? On the other hand, she’d been great with Tab the day before, and if this was truly going to be a family Christmas then it was going to take some flexibility on everyone’s part. “Which could be good or bad.”

“She’s trying. I think we should try, too. People can change.”

Was this really her sister talking?

“You’re very upbeat all of a sudden.” Ella glanced around to check where Tab was. Giggles and barks from the library answered her question. “What exactly happened yesterday? You and Brodie came back laughing and comfortable together. It wasn’t awkward?”

“It was hideously awkward, at least to begin with.”

“But?”

“But we spent an excellent, productive day together. We have a plan.”

“A plan?”

“For this place. Brodie talked about his plans and ambitions, and I talked about what I believed was possible.”

Ella knew her sister, and knew it had to be more than that.

“What else did you talk about?”

“Everything. I am so excited about adding this property to our portfolio. I almost called two of my favorite clients to tell them I’ve found their perfect vacation for next year, but then I realized I’m getting ahead of myself. We still have things to figure out. But Brodie is a genius with numbers so I think between us we’ll have this thing nailed in no time.” She laced her other boot and stood up.

“By things to figure out, I assume you mean how to sell the idea to Kirstie.”

Samantha glanced up. “You talked to Brodie?”

“No, I talked to Kirstie. Long chat yesterday.”

“Yes? How did that come about?”

She’d been avoiding their mother. “It was a bit awkward, actually. I walked into the library to try and find a new book for Tab, and she was hiding in there.”

“Hiding?”

“She was upset. Trying not to let her mother see, I guess. Anyway, we talked a bit. She misses her dad, but she’s worried about upsetting her mother so she doesn’t talk about that part. Hence hiding away in the library. This whole thing is tough on her.”

Tab reappeared with a newly devoted Bear following her, and Ella immediately censored her conversation.

“Are you ready for your surprise treat?”

“Yes. Can Bear come?”

“I don’t know.” Ella glanced at her sister. “Can he?”

“I’m sure he can, but I’ll check with Brodie.”

Brodie was part of this treat?

She was about to ask for details, but Samantha scooped Tab into her arms.

“Okay, I need you to close your eyes tightly. No peeking.”

Tab slapped both hands over her eyes. “I’m not peeking.”

“Are you sure? Keep those eyes closed and don’t open them until I say so.” Samantha carried her niece outside and Ella snatched up all the extra layers they were likely to need and followed.

“It’s all very exciting going on a mystery trip, but it means I don’t have a clue what to take and—oh—” She stopped dead. “Oh!”

“Can I look? I want to look.” Tab still had her hands over her eyes and Samantha pulled them away.

“You can look.”

Tab opened her eyes and then her mouth fell open wide, as if she was at the dentist. No words emerged.

Ella exchanged looks with her sister. “You’ve silenced my daughter. That’s a first.”

Samantha looked pleased as she walked Tab down the steps, where she finally found her voice.

“Reindeer. Are they real?”

“Yes, real.” Samantha put her down and crouched down beside her. “This one is called Goose. The one behind is Sparrow.”