Graham stopped just short of opening the front door. “What about Bailey?” So maybe he had some nerves about announcing to his whole family at the same time that he’d gone and gotten himself a girlfriend in the past three days. He could see their faces now; his mother’s eyes full of surprise, Andrew’s squinted gaze as he tried to figure out if Graham was kidding or not….

“We’ve talked about me dating again,” she said.

“She’s six.”

“She’s not stupid.” Laney looked up at him, her light green eyes blazing with a strange sort of fire.

“Look who’s being beastly now.” Graham cracked a smile but his chest did sting the tiniest bit. He just felt so out of his element with a new relationship, especially since Laney’s situation wasn’t easy and came with a six-year-old. Graham had no idea how to relate to children, though he thought he got along just fine with Bailey.

She sighed and said, “She started first grade this year. She knows other people have dads. There was a ‘Bring Your Dad to School Day,’ and Bailey and I talked a lot her dad, and where he was, and that I might find someone else to….” She trailed off, and though it was dark, Graham could definitely see the hint of a blush there.

“Marry?” He forced the word out of his mouth. Best friend or boyfriend was certainly more palatable, as Graham had never really envisioned himself as a husband and father.

“I mean, not right now.” Laney squeezed is hand. “You look like you’re going to throw up.” She tacked a giggle onto the end of her sentence, but she wasn’t far off.

“I’m just—” He cleared his throat. “It’s a lot to take in on short notice.”

“So maybe just start with we’re starting to see each other. I mean, we haven’t even been to dinner yet.”

They were practically living together—and would be for at least another week. But he squared his shoulders, a bit of the sound inside leaking through the solid wood door. “Okay.” He opened the door before she could say anything and gripped her hand as he stepped inside.

“There he is.” Eli stood nearest to the door, his tie a bit looser than before. Just the fact that he traveled in a white shirt and tie said a lot about the second youngest brother, but Graham liked Eli the best.

He was down-to-earth and practical. He had lighter brown hair than Graham, but the same glinting, dark chocolate-colored eyes.

“Eli,” Graham said. “You remember Laney Boyd, don’t you?”

It was as if the conversation had been muted. Even the Christmas music that Celia had started through the overhead speakers hit a lull, making the silence the only thing between him and everyone else.

Eli’s appraising eyes ran down the length of Laney’s body and back to her face. It only took a second, maybe two, but Graham felt like it had taken an hour, and his brother definitely saw their joined hands.

“Laney Boyd.” He stepped forward and gave her a quick side-hug. “Of course.”

“It’s McAllister now,” she said with a smile. “You’re looking great, Eli.”

He twisted back to the foyer, which was filled with people, and said, “Thanks. Come meet my son. He was thrilled to see your daughter here. Stockton, where are you?”

Graham’s nephew emerged from behind the tree, a portable game machine in his hand. He passed it to his father when he arrived and looked up at them. “Uncle Graham, this place is awesome.”

“Thanks, bud.” Graham grinned at the boy, hoping he’d get to see him a lot while Eli was here. Bora Bora was too far away. “This is my girlfriend, Laney. It’s her daughter Bailey you’re playing with.”

Stockton, ever the gentleman, stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, well.” Laney giggled and shook the child’s hand. “Nice to meet you too.” She released Graham’s hand and bent down to the boy’s level. “If you find me later, I’ll make sure you know where your uncle keeps the treats.”

Stockton’s eyes rounded and he grinned. “All right.”

“Did I hear right?” Graham’s mother arrived on the scene and put a protective arm around Stockton. “You two are dating?”

Graham exchanged a look with Laney, but she simply smiled at him, her face the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. “Kind of, Mom.”

“Kind of?” Andrew demanded. He, at least, wore a pair of jeans, a blue T-shirt, and a gray hoodie.

“I’ve asked her out.” Graham straightened, trying to gain the half-inch of height he had over his brother. “But with the storms, we haven’t made it out of the lodge yet.”

“Come meet my friends.” Eli guided Laney and Stockton away from Graham, and he watched his girlfriend go, her long hair swaying as she walked over to two men and a woman—Eli’s friends and nanny. Beau joined the circle of people surrounding Graham, and he had no choice but to stay.

Celia caught his eye from her position against the wall leading into the hall, a small smile on her face. Graham felt his neck heat, but he knew he had her approval.

“Graham, I didn’t know you and Laney were even that close.” Beau sipped from a bottle of water, his question-that-wasn’t-really-a-question so much like a lawyer it was annoying.

“Of course we are,” Graham said. “She’s the closest neighbor I have out here, and she’s been helping me with the farm for a year.”

“You’ve never mentioned her before.” His mother wore a look of concern like maybe Laney had bewitched him somehow.

Honestly, Graham could barely think straight. “I’m mentioning her now.” He glanced past Andrew to where Laney laughed at something Meg, the nanny, had said.

“Look, it’s new, okay? She’s been staying here for a couple of days because the power lines at her place are down. She’ll be here through the holidays, and I like her.” He practically hissed the last couple of words as Bailey skipped over.

“Graham, remember how you said I could pass out the Christmas Eve gifts?”

He swept his gaze past the members of his family and focused on the little girl. “’Course I do, Bay. Are you ready? We’ll do them right after the lighting.”

“Stockton wants to help.”

“Oh, well, I think that’s okay. Don’t you?”

She looked torn, but she glanced over her shoulder to where Stockton stood with his nanny and back to Graham. “Yeah, it’s okay.”

“Okay, well, go get them from Celia, and I’ll get everyone ready for the lighting.” Because then the conversation with his mother and brothers would be over. Bailey skipped away, and he said, “All right, everyone. I think we’re ready to do the tree lighting. I’m told it’s best if you stand over here.” He indicated the fireplace, which had a dozen stockings hung along it’s length and waited while everyone came over.

He claimed Laney’s hand again as soon as she came within arm’s reach, his anxiety teeming near the top of his control. “Are we ready?” The evergreen sat in darkness, though the ornaments glinted from the overhead lights.

“No,” Bailey said. “Get that light behind you, Mom.”

Laney twisted and switched off the porch light while Celia flipped off the lights in the kitchen and hallway.

“Now we’re ready,” the six-year-old announced. “Go ahead Graham.”

He grinned and while he hadn’t been planning a speech, he stepped out of the crowd and stood in front of them. “I’m so glad we’re all here together this Christmas.” His emotions skyrocketed, and the fact that his father wasn’t there stuck in his throat.

Several long seconds passed before he was able to continue, and he caught his mother wiping her eyes. “Dad loved the holidays, and he’d always give us a small gift on Christmas Eve. So we’ll be doing that right after this, and then Celia has dinner in the kitchen.” He surveyed the group, finding his love for each of them—even those he didn’t know well and had only met that afternoon—growing.

“I thank God you could all travel here safely to be with us, and Andrew will say grace over the food once we’re in the dining room.” He wasn’t particularly long-winded, and he felt emotionally spent standing in front of them all. “Anyone have anything else they want to say? Mom?”

She shook her head, a sniffle the only sound. “You did great, Graham.”

He stepped back into his place. “All right then. I’ll turn on the lights.” He picked up the remote that controlled the outlet where he’d plugged in the tree and pushed a button. The white lights burst to life, illuminating the silver, red, green, blue, and gold bulbs and casting a magical glow on the entire room.

Everyone ooh’ed and ahh’ed, and Laney leaned into him and sighed. “It’s beautiful.”

The tree was beautiful, but all Graham could see was the work he and Bailey and Laney had spent on it. And he was glad he hadn’t passed the task onto someone else. That was time he’d spent with them that no one could take from him.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and said, “I’m glad you’re here.” And while he’d invited her ages ago, he wondered if her power hadn’t gone out if they’d really be standing where they were.

Thank you, he sent heavenward, more grateful for downed power lines in this moment than any other time.

“Presents!” Bailey announced, and she lunged for the tree, where she’d helped him arrange the gifts that morning.

Graham kept a tight grip on Laney’s hand as the presents were handed out. They weren’t anything special, but his father had taught him not to downplay a gift. It could be exactly what someone needed.

“Socks,” Andrew announced after he’d ripped open his package. “These are nice, Graham.” He beamed at his brother. “Thanks.”

Everyone got socks, and not a single person acted like they didn’t want them. Graham basked in the homey feeling permeating the huge foyer, and he saw Meg help Stockton replace his socks with the new ones he’d just gotten. The child came prancing over.

“Look, Uncle Graham!” He held up one foot. “Mine have reindeers on them.” He looked like he’d just been given the world, and Graham scooped him up and said, “They sure do, bud. Let’s go eat.”

Graham waved his hand above his head as he sidestepped the mess and navigated past the tree. “Time to eat. Follow me.”

Everyone did, and he pointed out the place settings Bailey had made that afternoon while Laney had been down at the ranch with the power company. “Find your name. No switcheroos. Lots of planning went into the seating arrangements.”

He placed Stockton on his chair and said, “I’m right next to you, bud.” But Graham didn’t sit right away. He waited until Laney entered the dining room and then he pulled out her chair for her, as she’d been assigned to his right side.

Bailey already sat next to her, a look of pure delight on her face. Once everyone had taken their seats, Graham said, “Andrew, if you’re ready.”

His brother stood and cleared his throat. In his strong, deep voice, he started, “Lord, we thank Thee for this day, for bringing us all here safely to celebrate the season of Thy birth….”

Graham lost himself in the peacefulness of the moment, the silence of sacredness that accompanied the brief moment after Andrew said “Amen,” and everyone echoed him before the clatter of silverware on plates began and chatter about travel, jobs, and life began.

He took one extra moment with his fork in his hand to bask in the energy in this lodge, and he wanted to have it available to him more often.

“You okay?” Laney touched his leg under the table, and Graham pulled himself out of his introspection.

“Yeah.” He looked at her. “Yes.” He reached for the chicken pot pie and dished himself some, then took the salad bowl from her. “You?”

“Best I’ve been in a while.” She beamed at him and then turned to help Bailey with her food.

And Graham felt sure those words would keep him warm though the long winter ahead.