Out of the corner of her eye, Sam watched Pappy’s maneuvering. She moved, leaving Vandameer standing alone. She wasn’t going to give Pappy another chance to insult her or continue whatever game he was playing. She wished she knew what there was about Pappy that attracted her to him when obviously the feelings weren’t being returned.

“Ms. Rainford,” Kyros said, holding out a tray of delectable-looking shrimp, “I would like to thank you again for the pipe and the tobacco. I tried it out last night, and the pipe is exquisite. It draws perfectly. Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure. Everything looks so beautiful. I’ve always loved Christmas. When I was a child I always spent Christmas with my grandparents, my father’s mother and father. My parents were never big on holidays. They were usually out of the country, vacationing. They especially liked to go to the Greek Isles. Of course, they always had someone put presents under the tree at Grandma’s. I’m sorry, that sounds like I’m saying, oh, poor me.” Her voice was firm, even defensive-sounding, when she said, “I think I like grownup Christmases better. I so looked forward to this day.”

“And where is your family now?” Kyros asked.

“Who knows? My father is an ambassador to some foreign country. Paraguay, I think. My mother socializes. I haven’t seen them in a few years. They send cards once in a while. I guess you could say we aren’t a warm, cuddly family. Do you have family, Kyros?”

Kyros blinked. Didn’t she know Kollar was his son? “Yes.” He pointed to where Pappy was talking to Kayla and Olivia. “Pappy’s my son.”

Sam’s face went from white to red and back to white. She bit down on her lip. She knew she was supposed to say something. What? Why was it that in times of acute stress, and she was experiencing acute stress right now, one could never think of just the right cutting remark until later. “I didn’t know that. I don’t think any of…us knew that,” she stammered, caught off guard at the remark. “I think your son is an obnoxious…oaf. I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings, you being his father and all.” God, did I just say that?

“It’s no problem. Just last evening I myself called him a buffoon. I still love him because I have high hopes that he will turn into a warm, fuzzy person.” The old man chuckled at his own joke. Sam laughed, too, before she moved off to talk to Kate, the long-legged blonde from Team Five.