A few minutes after Blaire left the room, Simon walked in, still in his overcoat.

“Did you take care of your big emergency?” Kate asked.

He raised his eyebrows. “Things are under control, yes. I’m sorry I had to leave. I’m going to go shower before dinner.”

After he’d gone upstairs, Kate went into the kitchen to arrange the serving platters on the kitchen counter. Her cook, Claude, had prepared the Christmas Eve meal earlier that morning. The pancetta-wrapped beef tenderloin and mashed potatoes were in a low oven, warming back up, and Kate would transfer everything to the platters once they were ready to eat. She uncorked a bottle of Silver Oak cabernet sauvignon and set it on the dining room table.

The doorbell sounded, and as Kate went to see who it was, Annabelle came bounding down the stairs with Simon close behind her. She was dressed in a little white sweater dress with red trim and red tights. Kate’s eyes filled when she realized it was one of the outfits Lily had bought her a month before. Annabelle’s blond hair was pulled into two curly pigtails tied with bright red ribbons, and her big brown eyes were shining with excitement. “Is that Santa Claus?” She danced around Kate as she neared the front door.

“I don’t think so, sweetie. It’s probably Granddaddy. Santa will come when we’re all asleep. And he’ll come down the chimney.” Brian opened the door and let Kate’s father in.

She managed a smile that felt somewhat natural. “Dad.” She put her arms out to hug him as he came in. He looked weary, she thought.

“My favorite girls,” he said, kissing Kate and stooping down to hug Annabelle. “Look at you. What a perfect Christmas girl you are.”

“Granddaddy. Santa Claus is coming tonight.”

“Is he?”

“Yes. And he’s bringing toys for me.”

“Shall we go into the living room?” Kate said. She was still upset with her father but had decided to put it out of her mind until after Christmas. She just wanted to get through the next few days for Annabelle’s sake. After they sat, the phone in her pocket vibrated, and she pulled it out and swiped.

Food-allergy-related deaths spike during the holidays

All those home-baked treats with the potential to kill

It would be a shame for you to die before Christmas

Especially with so many packages under your beautiful tree

Is there one for me?

It felt like an elephant was standing on her chest.

“Kate, are you okay?”

She tried to speak, but nothing came out.

“Breathe, Kate. Where’s your Valium prescription?”

“Kitchen.”

He was back moments later with a glass of water and a pill.

She downed it. “How did he know . . . ? Every window in this house is covered.”