A Family Christmas

Evan’s low voice cut through her inner turmoil. “What is it? You’re radiant.”

Radiant? She was unaccustomed to compliments. She drew back, feeling so shy it was as if he’d touched her with the same gentle care he’d shown Lucy. Or not the same. Maybe…more.

He’d asked a question. What is it? She couldn’t answer that—no way.

Instead she cleared her throat, prepared to prevaricate. “Must’ve been the cold air.”

“Yes. It put roses in your cheeks.”

Lucy had twisted around to stare. Softly, she singsonged, “Roses in Rose’s cheeks.”

“Yeah, and yours, too, ladybug.” Though Evan spoke to Lucy while he backed down a few rows, he continued looking up at Rose.

Her face wasn’t cold. It was flaming. If not for the second chance at Danny, Evan’s admiring appraisal would have sent her scurrying out the door. No man had looked at her like that since…since…

She couldn’t remember. Maybe never.

And he probably thought nothing of it. He was only being nice.

Rose bit her lip, closed her eyes. She was not a normal woman. Couldn’t even respond to a guy’s offhand compliment without making it a big freakin’ deal.

“Five minutes,” Evan said, and descended the remaining bleachers in big strides that made them rattle and clang.

Rose rubbed her forearms, where goose bumps had risen despite the warm layers of her sweater and jacket. “Okay, Lucy. Let’s pack up.” She screwed the cap onto the Thermos.

“You forgot the cup.”

“Run down to the water fountain and rinse it out for me, okay?”

“Okay.” Lucy carefully made her way down the bleachers on her bottom. By the time she reached the gym floor, Rose had repacked and zipped up, leaving out Lucy’s sketchbook. She grabbed it and trailed the girl to the water fountain, set into a niche in the wall between the doors that led to the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms.

Lucy rinsed the cup, the tip of her tongue protruding between her lips as she concentrated. “Okay?” she said, shaking it dry.

Rose exchanged the cup for the sketchbook. “You can take this home and show your dad what you drew today.” She wanted Evan to see that she’d given him good value, even though she wasn’t a trained artist or teacher. Lucy had been an eager and talented student, forgetting her inhibitions as she became absorbed in capturing various items and scenes. Before the cold October air had driven them inside, they’d drawn leaves, pine cones, ferns, and turned twig tracings into animal shapes.

Lucy clasped the sketchbook. “What will we draw next time, Rose?”

“I don’t know. We’ll see if your father wants you to have another lesson.”

Lucy nodded with some confidence. “If I say so.”

“Oh? Are you the boss?”

The girl nodded, pursing her lips into a mischievous smile. “Daddy says I’m getting spoiled.”

“Spoiled, huh?” Rose put on a show of looking Lucy over, squeezing her arms and legs to make her double over in giggles. “I hope he doesn’t have to throw you in the trash like a mushy banana.”

Rose heard the door to the locker room open behind her. “What’s going on here?” Evan said.

She straightened with a snap.

A limp Lucy dropped to the floor. “I’m a banana-nana, Daddy. I’m covered in squishy black spots.”

Evan approached, holding his wallet. He opened it and withdrew several bills, handing the money to Rose. “What did the ape say to the banana?”

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