Page 68 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

Chapter twenty

Ashley

Dinnerhadstartedsurprisinglynormally.A pot roast sat in the center of the table, surrounded by mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, fresh-baked rolls, and enough side dishes to feed Santa’s entire village.The dining room buzzed with overlapping conversations, silverware clinking against china, and the occasional burst of laughter.

For the first time since arriving at Winterridge, everyone was seemingly getting along.Taylor and Tori debated whetherHome Alone 3counted as part of the franchise.Ashley agreed with Tori, who pretended any Home Alones made after the second didn’t exist.

Aunt Marilyn was halfway through a bottle of Chateau Saint-Pierre.Cole sighed as she topped off her glass.Uncle Rick and Dad discussed football while Grandpa listened and every now and again threw out a fact about a player from 1963.Aunt Eleanor joined in, tossing out stats of the current and past Patriots players.

Ashley stole a glance at Carter.He stood by the sideboard, speaking with Ms.Porter while keeping a watchful eye on the room.Ms.Porter kept her eye on Grandpa as if she were waiting for something.

Grandpa set down his glass of wine.The small movement was enough to grab everyone’s attention.Conversations faded, forks lowered, and even Gabe turned toward the head of the table.

Grandpa’s eyes scanned the table, his gaze lingering on each person as if he was committing them to memory.

Deep lines formed around his eyes, his age finally showing after all these years.His blue eyes slightly dimmed as if the light went out when Grandma Lily passed.

“While you’re all here,” Grandpa started before taking a long pause.

“What is it, Dad?”Uncle Rick asked.

He drew in a breath, and Ashley held hers.

“Money can buy you a lot of things,” he said quietly.“It can buy houses, cars, vacations, businesses, and just about anything you can think of.But there’s one thing it can’t buy.”

Nobody spoke.

Ashley’s heart battered her chest as she waited with bated breath.

“It can buy you the best doctors in the world,” Grandpa continued.“But it can’t buy you time.”

“Dad, why don’t you get to the point?”Uncle Rick said.

Grandpa nodded, then his eyes landed on Ashley before meeting everyone else’s at the table.

“I might not be dead, but I am dying.”

Ashley's breath caught.Taylor and Tori grabbed each other’s hands.Dad sank into his chair, and Aunt Marilyn downed the rest of her wine.

“Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.I’ve had it for years, but things took a turn.Doctors gave me six months to a year.That was six months ago.I figured if I can make it through Christmas, maybe I’ll be able to fix this mess before I have to answer to your grandmother.”

“You’re going to need more than one Christmas,” Cole mumbled.

“Good thing I’m a stubborn bastard.I got a call last week from my doctor.A new treatment trial opened up.It’s not a cure, but it might buy me time.”

“How much time?”Ashley asked.

“A few more Christmases, if I’m lucky.”

“Is that why you’re forcing us to be here?So you can get to heaven?”Gabe asked with a snort.

“Real nice, Gabe,” Tori said.

“Truth hurts,” Cole added.

“What do you know about truth?”Aunt Marilyn snapped.

The chatter faded as Ashley’s heart raced.He was dying… They had all believed they’d lost him once already, and somehow fate, or Grandpa himself, had handed them another chance.A cruel, painful one, but a chance nonetheless.