Page 34 of Eight Days of Christmas
“Okay, okay. Fine.” Norah took a small taste, her eyes fluttering closed in pleasure.
“See, worth it.” Isabella inhaled another bite.
On the opposite side of the island, Dad cleared his throat. “If you decide to come up for air, here’s a cup of coffee,” he teased, pushing a steaming mug in front of her. “Cream and sugar, right?” His wiry brows raised in question.
“Yeah. Thanks.” She took a sip and groaned with delight. How was Mom’s drip coffee so much better than her usual New York’s finest eight-dollar cappuccino? She had no idea. But it was.
Ava zoomed back into the kitchen, her feet clomping in snow boots. “Auntie Izzy! C’mon. We’ve been waiting for you forever.”
“Hey, let the woman eat,” Nina scolded. “She hasn’t had Grandma’s cinnamon rolls in a long time.”
Ava’s big brown eyes widened. “For ten years?”
Isabella’s cheeks flushed. “I guess it has been that long.”
“Whoa. That’s longer than I’ve been alive.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Isabella side-eyed her brother. What had Finn been telling little Ava? Leo entered the kitchen again, a beanie hiding that ridiculously sexy hair of his. But more interestingly, he carried a huge, shiny chainsaw in his large hands. “Brought my tools, Mr. W. Threw some extra straps into the back of the pickup as well. You sure my chainsaw is in better condition than yours?”
Isabella sucked in a breath and turned her attention back to the pastry, though it didn’t appear quite as appealing. Why was he there again? He might as well live there. He seemed to be at her parent’s home more than his dad’s.
“Oh yeah,” Dad said, admiring Leo’s tree killer. “That’s a beauty alright. Top of the line. It’s definitely better than mine.”
Landon jumped up, joining in with the men and drooling over the power tool. “I think I need to get me one of these.”
“Sue would never let me spend that much on a chainsaw,” Dad said.
Mom made atsk-tsksound, waggling her finger at him. “Now, now, that’s enough,” she warned. “Why don’t you boys put that in the truck and the rest of us will be along shortly.”
Isabella’s mouth dropped open, eyeing Dad and Leo as they left the room. She turned on Norah, nostrils flaring. She jabbed her elbow into Norah’s ribs, causing her sister to jump and let out a yelp.
“What was that for?” Norah rubbed her side.
Isabella leaned closer and whispered. “Why is Leo putting tools into his truck? What is going on?”
Norah bit her lip.
She narrowed her eyes. “Norah?”
“Okay,” Norah relented. “I invited him.”
Isabella groaned. “Why?”
“I thought it would be nice if he came with us to celebrate the second day of Christmas.”
Isabella’s stomach did a flip-flop. She pushed her plate away, part of the cinnamon roll left uneaten. Her appetite had vanished. “Norah?” she said through gritted teeth. “Please tell me Leo is not going to be joining us forallEight Days of Christmas.”
Norah averted her gaze.
“Norah,” Isabella whined, closing her eyes.
“Sorry.” While Norah’s expression did reflect remorse, Isabella had a feeling she was enjoying this. Isabella and Leo might’ve been right on the Norah being young part, but they’d been wrong on the dumb part. It was obvious. Norah knew exactly what she was doing. And they’d definitely underestimated her.
Isabella picked herself up from the stool and leaned into Norah’s ear, whispering, “I know what you’re trying to do. And it’s not gonna work.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Norah said in mock innocence.
“Oh sweetie,” Mom said, “Spending a week with Leo will be fine. Just like old times.”
