He kissed me again, until I was pressing into the cushions behind me. “This isn’t it?”

“You don’t even have to open mine. It’s not actually in the box under the tree, anyway. The real thing will be delivered after the holidays.”

“I’m all ears.”

I nibbled on his earlobe, to prove his point. “It’s a sofa.”

“I have a sofa.”

“For Bismarck.”

“You bought Bismarck a sofa?”

“It’s especially made for dogs. It’s so comfortable I’d sleep on it, if I was, you know, a dog. It’ll be perfect at the foot of your bed, so when I’m at your house, in bed with you, Bismarck will have another place to sleep.”

His dark eyes danced. “You are so sure of yourself.”

“You know I’m just waiting until you’re ready, Teo, and the girls are somewhere else. Because all systems are go here.”

“Aunt Ryan!”

“Coming!”

He laughed, and then he kissed me before he stood to leave. “Lo bueno se hace esperar.”

“That’s not fair. My Spanish is worse than rusty.”

“Next year I’ll give you lessons instead of jewelry.” He smiled. “Good things come to those who wait.”

As I walked him to the door and wished him a final Merry Christmas, I didn’t have to tell him I was counting on it.

CHAPTER THIRTY

I kept Holly and Noelle busy over the holidays. We spent Christmas Day with my parents, and the next walking nature trails with the new backpacks and binoculars my father had given them. Two days later I treated them to Legoland, their big gift from me. The park was colorful and cheerful, my main criteria, plus none of the roller coasters were scary. We ate kid food, shopped for souvenirs and lapped up the entertainment at the official Legoland hotel.

By the time they were back in school, I had a new appreciation for stay-at-home moms.

“Eventually you forget what it’s like to sit on the toilet without somebody banging on the door,” Sophie told me, after I’d regaled her with anecdotes. “I still lock mine, just in case.”

For the first time since the beginning of the holidays, we were observing our regularly scheduled morning phone call. We’d tried to catch a few moments when my nieces were occupied elsewhere, but Sophie had been busy, too. She and Ike had taken a quick Caribbean cruise over the holidays, which I’d just relived with her. My Sophie had stars in her eyes—or more accurately her voice.

“I woke up one morning and there were two little girls and a German shepherd in bed with me,” I said. “I was an inch from going over the side.”

“It’s a good day when you don’t.”

The social portion of the call was finished. Both of us had work ahead.

“I’m at a dead end with Wendy,” I said. “Bryce called Holly on Christmas Day, and then after he spoke to Noelle, he asked her to put my mother on the line. My mother. When she hung up, Mom was livid. I’ve avoided her ever since. If this goes on, I’ll have to change my phone number.”