“I see you left the dicks off this time,” he muses.
“There will be children around,” I remind him.
We get the rest of the cookies decorated, then he helps load the car. Though I haven’t spotted the black SUV since it sped off outside the hardware store, I still keep an eye out for it because I’m not convinced it was just a tourist. After Gemma brought up the idea that I could be a person of interest in Eric’s murder, I’ve been more paranoid that someone’s watching me.
“Aunt Everleigh! Uncle Archer!” Owen calls out, then rushes to give me a hug. I absolutely adore that he already considers Archer family because we are, regardless of blood.
“Hey, buddy! Merry Christmas!” I kiss the top of his head. “I swear, you’ve grown an inch since Thanksgiving.”
Archer gives him a fist bump. “Yeah, he’ll be taller than me soon.”
Owen grins. “I’m almost taller than Mom,” he informs us.
“That’s not hard to accomplish,” I tease when Katie comes into view. “Probably taller than Gemma already.”
“I heard that,” she calls from somewhere in the house.
Archer carries the gifts into the living room as I bring the tray of cookies into the kitchen.
“Hey, sis.” Tyler gives me a side hug.
“Hello…Merry Christmas, y’all!” I go around, hugging everyone.
“Where are Jerry and Belinda?” I ask.
We go into the living room, where Archer and Owen are chatting about boxing.
“They’re off celebrating,” Gemma answers. “Dadfinallypopped the question.”
“What? No way!” I exclaim. “That’s so exciting.”
“Speaking of…” Katie interjects. “We set a date for next summer in Magnolia Springs.”
“About time!” I wrap my arm around her. “That time of year will be stunning.”
“Where’s that?” Archer asks.
“It’s just over an hour away,” Noah explains. Archer and I sit next to each other on the couch, though we’re not close enough to touch.
“It’s this quaint little town that my grandmother used to live in, and we’d go visit every summer. One time, Noah came with me, and last April, he surprised me with a weekend trip to a B&B. Ever since, we knew we wanted to get married there.” Katie beams at Noah, who’s holding one of the twins.
“I can’t wait,” I say. “We better get to planning.”
“Small and simple,” Katie says, giving me a warning glare. “I’m aware of how extra you get.”
“Uh,” I gasp. “I may never get married, and my brother went and got hitched without telling anyone, so yours might be the only one I’ll ever help plan.”
“You can plan mine, Aunt Everleigh,” Owen informs me.
“Aw…thanks, bud. You have a bride in mind already?” I ask in a teasing voice. “Because if so, we only have seven years until you’re eighteen. I better start now.”
Owen rolls his eyes as he rocks the other twin baby.
“You tryin’ to give me a heart attack?” Katie scolds.
Her panicked tone has me chuckling.
“I hope someone warned you, Archer,” Gemma says to him. “You stay with Everleigh long enough, she might trick you into walking down the aisle with her.”