Wrapped Up for Christmas. Katlyn Duncan

topics. Smoothing his hand against the wood cleared Nick’s mind as much as running did. No wonder David liked his job.

      David’s cell phone rang. He sat up, placing the paper on the table. ‘Time to eat.’

      ‘Is that how Theresa lets you know?’ Nick asked, grinning. As much as Nick teased his brother about his love life, he was incredibly jealous of what he had.

      ‘It’s better than the bell she suggested hanging outside the porch.’

      ‘No way,’ Nick said.

      David pulled a face. ‘Don’t remind her about it. I still don’t think she was kidding.’

      They were only a few feet from the shed when the back door burst open. ‘Uncle Nick!’

      Evan and James, six-year-old twins, raced over to him, their arms pumping as they neared. Charlie was on their heels before she overtook them and ran ahead.

      The boys favored their mother with their pale blond locks and freckled cheeks.

      ‘Come here, guys.’ Nick knelt, ready to hug his nephews.

      Between Charlie’s licks and the boys pummeling into him, the weight overpowered him, and he plopped onto the wet ground.

      Nick ruffled Evan’s hair while James tried to tickle Nick under his shirt.

      ‘Come on, boys,’ Theresa said from the doorway. ‘Give Uncle Nick a chance to get inside. Go wash your hands.’

      David laughed so hard his eyes teared up.

      The boys shoved each other as they fought to be the first one inside with Charlie in tow.

      ‘Hilarious,’ Nick said, trying to get up without ruining the rest of his pants. The cold liquid seeping against his skin reminded him of the coffee spilled all over him at the café yesterday morning. This wasn’t his week.

      Theresa grinned from the doorway. Her hair was twisted in a bun on top of her head, a style she’d preferred ever since he had known her. ‘Hey, Nick. Come inside, and I’ll put those in the wash for you.’

      David held out a hand to help his brother up. ‘It’s a good thing we’re still the same size. That says a lot for me being older. I picture a pot-belly in your future.’

      ‘You’re only two years older and I’m never getting a pot-belly,’ Nick said.

      ‘Sitting around on that desk chair in your fancy office will get you there soon enough.’

      ‘I bet you’ll be the first, old man,’ Nick said.

      ‘Do you want to put money on that?’ David asked, leading Nick into the house.

      ***

      After Nick had changed into a pair of David’s jeans, he headed into the kitchen. The square footage of the house was around the same size as Nick’s apartment, yet he always felt it held more warmth.

      From Nick’s perspective, David had the life. He had a good family and a job he loved. After quitting, David had relied heavily on Theresa for money and insurance. The Bower men were hard-working, no matter what they did. David built his business from the ground up and proved himself again at each milestone. Too bad his dad wanted nothing to do with it.

      Theresa walked over to Nick and hugged him. ‘Good to see you clean. How’s work?’

      Evan and James sat quietly in their chairs, but from Charlie’s tail sticking out from under the table, Nick knew they were petting her. She was spoiled here even more than she was at home.

      ‘Busy,’ Nick said. ‘How about you?’

      ‘The laboratory slows down around this time every year. We shut down for cleaning in two weeks,’ she said. ‘It couldn’t come any faster. Sit, let’s eat.’

      Nick wondered how much David’s passion affected their family. But they were able to see each other more than Nick and Molly had. And they were still happily married. David had somehow found the magic formula to love.

      ‘I’m starving,’ James said.

      Steam swirled around the lasagna at the center of the table. The boys reached for the homemade bread first, but Nick was right behind them. Theresa was the most intelligent person Nick knew and could make an incredible meal. Once again showing off his brother’s luck.

      ‘How’s your love life?’ Theresa asked before Nick cut a piece for himself.

      Nick looked at David. His brother could hardly mask the smile on his face.

      ‘David can ask me whatever he likes.’

      David lifted a piece of lasagna from the plate. ‘I know you’ll answer her.’

      ‘I want you to be happy,’ Theresa said.

      Nick dipped his bread in the sauce. ‘I can be happy without a girlfriend.’

      ‘That’s true, but all you do is work. It’s not good for you,’ Theresa said, sliding a glance at David.

      That had been a taboo subject at their home, growing up. Their dad had always said that hard work was everything, which was why David gave up that life when he met Theresa. She had good intentions, but Nick didn’t appreciate them discussing his life behind his back.

      ‘We know another person isn’t the secret ingredient to a happy life, but it helps.’ David gave Nick a look of understanding.

      ‘I met a woman yesterday,’ Nick said, without thinking. The unsure stare of the woman from the café leaped into his mind. He wasn’t convinced that he would want to see her again, but making up a story about the first woman who had showed interest in him – at least for a few minutes – might get them off his back for a while.

      Theresa’s eyes lit up and David tilted his head to the side.

      ‘Did you kiss her?’ Evan asked, then James let out an ‘Eww!’

      ‘You don’t kiss girls you’ve just met,’ Theresa said to the boys and then raised her eyebrows at Nick. ‘And you always ask first.’

      ‘You talked to a woman. That’s progress,’ David said around a large piece of lasagna.

      David and Theresa continued their own conversation about Nick’s love life as if he were steps away from the altar. He wasn’t even sure why he bothered to try to tell them otherwise. Those two could be such gossips at times.

      But Nick didn’t mind being the center of their conversation. He liked the banter and the way his shoulders relaxed around his family. David’s house was much different from their parents’. Dad didn’t talk about much other than work. Nick could be himself with his brother and family. It was all he needed after the start to the week he’d had so far.

       Chapter 5

      Angie woke early the next morning, the sound of her mother’s voice and the banging of kitchen cabinets reverberating in her head. Managing to make her excuses to avoid her mother’s annual cookie baking session, Angie grabbed the keys to Donato’s rusty old wagon and nearly sprinted out the door to leave for Reese’s house.

      As she climbed into the driver’s seat, she couldn’t help but feel a small pang of guilt in her chest. Her mother had been so excited to have Angie home, she knew that she just wanted to enjoy all the festive activities that the season allowed while Angie was around. But Angie was all too aware that she wasn’t going to find her next job from sitting around all day in her mum’s kitchen. None of the hotels called her back, and each time she tried to follow up, one of the assistants blocked her, saying that they would be in touch if they were interested. Angie wanted to see if Reese had reviewed her resume for changes. Making a mental note to set aside some baking time to appease her mother, she dialed Reese’s number in