changing into his pajamas.
“And my second time to enjoy old Polish Christmas traditions like smoked salmon and beet soup,” he said.
“I thought you liked the soup.”
“Let’s say it’s growing on me.”
Smiling, she curled onto her side and closed her eyes. He was such a sweet man. He’d never once suggested he didn’t care for the soup, and it was a bit of an acquired taste. Maybe next year she’d try a different soup, maybe cream of mushroom. He might like that better, she thought as she drifted into sleep before Heath joined her in bed. She’d been so tired lately.…
On a cold, dark Christmas morning, Elena let Sarah into the house at 6:00 AM. Sarah wanted to be there when Izzy woke and got her first look at what Santa had brought her.
“Is she awake yet?” Sarah whispered.
“Not yet. It was midnight or after when she finally fell asleep. Come on in.” Elena closed the door against the below-freezing cold of predawn. She understood this morning was extra important for Sarah, the first time she’d be able to see the excitement in her child’s eyes on Christmas Day.
“Should we go wake her?”
Elena gasped. “Never wake a sleeping child unless you have to, like the house is burning down. If you do, both of you will suffer for the rest of the day.”
Choking back a laugh, Sarah took off her coat and hung it up in the entryway closet. Her cheeks were flushed from both the cold and her own excitement. Elena imagined Sarah’s Christmases as a child hadn’t been as thrilling as she expected this one to be.
Later this afternoon, Sarah would join Elena, her mother, and grandmother in the kitchen where they’d make the traditional sweet tamales for Christmas supper. More and more, Sarah was becoming a part of the family, whether or not Rafael approved. Although Elena was beginning to think there was hope in that regard.
Well before seven o’clock, Izzy came racing into the living room. She stood in awe for a moment, taking in the lights on the tree and all of Santa’s gifts spread beneath it. She held out her arms as though to embrace the entire room.
“I love Christmas!” she screeched, and fell upon the play stove with the eagerness of a chef about to embark on a great epicurean adventure.
Silently, Sarah grinned and tears appeared in her eyes. A moment she would always remember.
Chapter Eight
C HRISTMAS MORNING ANABELLE SCURRIED AROUND getting everything ready for dinner while Cam put in the extensions for the dining table. Thrilled the whole family would be there, she set the table. She only regretted Kirstie had broken up with Mark. Such a nice young man.
In the living room, she studied the remaining gifts under the Christmas tree.
She and Cam had earlier exchanged their gifts. But there were still a lot of wrapped presents to be opened when the rest of the family arrived. Lindsay Belle’s name was on a large number of them. Hard to believe she was almost twenty months old and would be two in the spring.
Sarge appeared to have caught the spirit of the season. He circled the room, periodically jumping away from an imaginary bug and then pouncing on it like a puppy at play.
“Cam,” Anabelle called. “I bought a little something for Maureen and a couple of presents each for Jacob and Olivia, but it’s not going to look like much compared to what Lindsay Belle and the rest are receiving. Do you think I should run out and get something more for them?”
Cam appeared in the living room. “I’m sure Maureen and her children aren’t expecting any presents.”
“But Evan is getting serious about her, they appear to be a couple now, so her children should be included—”
“Annie, my luv, we
are
including them.” He sounded as though she was stretching his patience. “They’re coming to Christmas dinner, and you bought them presents. I’m sure they don’t expect any more than that.”
“I don’t want her children to feel left out,” Anabelle protested. She’d
“And my second time to enjoy old Polish Christmas traditions like smoked salmon and beet soup,” he said.
“I thought you liked the soup.”
“Let’s say it’s growing on me.”
Smiling, she curled onto her side and closed her eyes. He was such a sweet man. He’d never once suggested he didn’t care for the soup, and it was a bit of an acquired taste. Maybe next year she’d try a different soup, maybe cream of mushroom. He might like that better, she thought as she drifted into sleep before Heath joined her in bed. She’d been so tired lately.…
On a cold, dark Christmas morning, Elena let Sarah into the house at 6:00 AM. Sarah wanted to be there when Izzy woke and got her first look at what Santa had brought her.
“Is she awake yet?” Sarah whispered.
“Not yet. It was midnight or after when she finally fell asleep. Come on in.” Elena closed the door against the below-freezing cold of predawn. She understood this morning was extra important for Sarah, the first time she’d be able to see the excitement in her child’s eyes on Christmas Day.
“Should we go wake her?”
Elena gasped. “Never wake a sleeping child unless you have to, like the house is burning down. If you do, both of you will suffer for the rest of the day.”
Choking back a laugh, Sarah took off her coat and hung it up in the entryway closet. Her cheeks were flushed from both the cold and her own excitement. Elena imagined Sarah’s Christmases as a child hadn’t been as thrilling as she expected this one to be.
Later this afternoon, Sarah would join Elena, her mother, and grandmother in the kitchen where they’d make the traditional sweet tamales for Christmas supper. More and more, Sarah was becoming a part of the family, whether or not Rafael approved. Although Elena was beginning to think there was hope in that regard.
Well before seven o’clock, Izzy came racing into the living room. She stood in awe for a moment, taking in the lights on the tree and all of Santa’s gifts spread beneath it. She held out her arms as though to embrace the entire room.
“I love Christmas!” she screeched, and fell upon the play stove with the eagerness of a chef about to embark on a great epicurean adventure.
Silently, Sarah grinned and tears appeared in her eyes. A moment she would always remember.
Chapter Eight
C HRISTMAS MORNING ANABELLE SCURRIED AROUND getting everything ready for dinner while Cam put in the extensions for the dining table. Thrilled the whole family would be there, she set the table. She only regretted Kirstie had broken up with Mark. Such a nice young man.
In the living room, she studied the remaining gifts under the Christmas tree.
She and Cam had earlier exchanged their gifts. But there were still a lot of wrapped presents to be opened when the rest of the family arrived. Lindsay Belle’s name was on a large number of them. Hard to believe she was almost twenty months old and would be two in the spring.
Sarge appeared to have caught the spirit of the season. He circled the room, periodically jumping away from an imaginary bug and then pouncing on it like a puppy at play.
“Cam,” Anabelle called. “I bought a little something for Maureen and a couple of presents each for Jacob and Olivia, but it’s not going to look like much compared to what Lindsay Belle and the rest are receiving. Do you think I should run out and get something more for them?”
Cam appeared in the living room. “I’m sure Maureen and her children aren’t expecting any presents.”
“But Evan is getting serious about her, they appear to be a couple now, so her children should be included—”
“Annie, my luv, we
are
including them.” He sounded as though she was stretching his patience. “They’re coming to Christmas dinner, and you bought them presents. I’m sure they don’t expect any more than that.”
“I don’t want her children to feel left out,” Anabelle protested. She’d
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