“Don’t care,” she said promptly, smiling at the customer she was busily wrapping an ornament for. “You can talk and work at the same time. I’ve seen you do it.”

  Juniper sighed heavily. She felt immensely tired, and it hurt to think about her situation, never mind talk about it. “It’s really not a big deal. I was at my uncle’s ranch with Alex and he got a call about his little girl.”

  “A call?” Margot repeated, concern replacing some of her sass. “Is everything okay?”

  “His daughter’s fine,” Juniper answered carefully, keeping her hands busy with the comforting task of entering inventory into the computer. “His daughter lost a tooth. She wanted him to be there for it but instead, he was with me. He felt terrible about it, and I don’t feel so hot, either.”

  Margot made a tisking sound with her tongue. “Aw, that’s not so bad. Things like that are going to come up. That’s just how it is with kids. There are a million milestones—and there’s no way to be there for all of them. If he hadn’t been with you, he could have been at the grocery store, or fixing a fence on the edge of his property, or something.”

  “Right, but here’s the thing.” Juniper turned to face Margot. “I’m just not sure where I fit into all of this.”

  “What do you mean?” Margot cocked her head to one side.

  “Just…I feel like there’s this big Harvey family tree, and everything is connected. Then there’s me, and I’m just some little branch on the ground that doesn’t really belong.”

  Margot was silent for a beat and then, much to Juniper’s surprise, threw her head back and laughed.

  “What?” Juniper asked indignantly. “What’s so funny?”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just that I think you’re overthinking it a little bit. I don’t see you as a sad stick on the ground at all.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Juniper asked glumly. “Because I’m really not.”

  Margot took her hand and squeezed it gently. “I really am. It’s just the nature of the beast. Getting involved with a man who has children comes with a certain amount of baggage. Kids can be super demanding, and you’ll just have to keep in mind that Alex’s attention will always be split. That doesn’t mean you’re not important to him or that you don’t belong. It just means he’s got more than one priority.”

  “Right, but – ” Juniper started, although she had no idea how she planned on finishing the sentence.

  Margot shook her head and squeezed Juniper’s hand again. “Sorry, Hun, no buts. That’s how it’s going to be. You just have to decide if it’s something you can accept.”

  “That’s the thing. I don’t really know. I haven’t given it a lot of thought.” Juniper swallowed hard.

  “I can see that,” Margot said sympathetically. “But you might want to start thinking about it. Alex comes as a package deal, and you need to know if you’re okay with that. Because kids can get attached easily, and those poor things have already been through a lot. You need to be pretty sure before you get in too deep. It’s not just you and Alex who run the risk of getting hurt.”

  She was right. Juniper knew she was right, but the words weighed heavily on her for the rest of the day. She had always liked kids, but she’d always assumed that she wouldn’t have a family, so she had never given any consideration to having them be a constant fixture in her life. Her big concern, though, was less about whether she could make space in her life for them—Alex and his daughters and the whole Harvey clan—but whether they’d make room for her. A space where she could feel like she belonged, and she wasn’t an intruder or an afterthought. Because she wasn’t sure that her wanting to be a part of the Harvey life was enough to gain her entry.

  By that evening, she felt like her head would explode with all of these thoughts and what-ifs. Her skin was crawling and every moment she passed wondering if Alex would call felt like an eternity. Finally, she decided that enough was enough and fetched her phone.

  It rang only twice before Alex picked up and Juniper’s heart jumped into her throat. Part of her had been sure he wouldn’t answer.

  “Hey, Juniper. What’s up? How are you?” He sounded distracted. In the background, she could hear the girls playing as they waited for supper time.

  She took a slightly shaky breath and smiled. “I’m pretty good. It was a really busy afternoon in the shop. We had a line of customers right up until closing. It gets like that this time of year. People come in panicked and looking to get those last-minute holiday gifts.”

  “Sure,” Alex answered. The sound was muffled for a moment as he put his hand over the receiver to say something to the kids. “Sounds a little stressful.”

  She shrugged, even though he couldn’t see her. “It’s just part of life as a shop owner. It’s better than no business, right? Anyways, I wanted to check in and see how things went when you got home. Was Lizzie terribly upset when you got back?”

  “She wasn’t happy, but we worked through it. Things are better than they were.” There was a tightness in his voice now. All Juniper wanted was to show that she cared, to maybe find a real entry into his life, but she felt like she was getting farther away from that by the second.

  “Well, I’m glad she’s feeling better about it now,” she said much more brightly than she felt. “And I was thinking that maybe I could stop by? I feel like I’ve had some luck with cheering up the girls so far. Maybe if I talked to her –“

  “No, that’s okay.” He cut her off neatly, leaving no room for discussion on the point. “I think anyone coming by right now will just get them all riled up again. Besides, if it’s been that busy a day at the shop, maybe it’s not the best night for you, either. We’re probably both tired, don’t you think?”

  It felt like a slap in the face, although she knew she had no right to the feeling. It wasn’t like they’d had any plans together for the evening. And he was the one who knew his daughters best—who would understand if having a visitor would be a bad idea for them tonight. But it brought back all of her fears of being the lonely cast-off branch with full force. Even though a part of her suspected he was right about it not being the best night for it. She was already exhausted. She’d just…thought she’d get a lift from spending time with him. Except he didn’t seem to feel the same way about the prospect of spending time with her.

  “Besides,” he continued. “I was hoping you might join us for the family’s Christmas Eve brunch tomorrow. That’s something you’ll want to be well rested for. I can’t over-exaggerate how energetic the girls will be.”

  Juniper said she would be delighted to come and hung up the phone. She was excited to be invited to a family occasion, but her joy over it was dampened by how hot and cold Alex was running with her. She couldn’t help wondering if maybe she truly was in over her head.

  14

  “Hey. Stop for a minute and look at me. You’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off. What’s going on with you?”

  Against her better judgement, Juniper stopped, running a distracted hand through her hair. Of course, Margot could see how agitated she was. She always could. But more than ever before, Juniper wasn’t up for talking. There was too much going on in the store, and even more going on inside of her head.

  Margot snapped her fingers to get Juniper’s attention. “Earth to Juniper. Tell me what’s the matter and I’ll tell you why you’re being silly.”

  “Nothing’s really the matter,” Juniper answered, not quite able to hide the exasperation in her voice. “I’m just feeling stretched a little thin today. I always forget how busy we get on Christmas Eve. I’m not sure why I thought it would be a good idea to agree to leave in the middle of the day for that brunch with Alex and his family.”

  Margot made a show of rolling her eyes. “You thought it would be a good idea because it is. This is what you wanted, right? To feel like Alex is including you in the family part of his life and not treating you like something separate?”

  “Yes, but –”

  “But nothing,” Margot interrupted. “You and I know you’re prone to over-thinking things, but try not to do that this time, okay? Just let yourself be happy. Unless this is about the kids. You were going to think about that, right? Have you made some decision about not being able to take that on?”

  Juniper shut her eyes briefly and considered. She had been thinking about it a lot, just as Margot had suggested. It was an important question to ask herself, and to answer as honestly as she was able, but she really didn’t think it was the girls that were making her feel so on edge. It was the conversation she’d had with Alex the previous night. He had sounded weary and strained, even while inviting her to the brunch. Maybe he was just worn out, but what if it had something to do with her, too?

  “Hey,” Margot said forcefully, snapping Juniper back to the busy shop. “Everything is going to be just fine here. You go do something for yourself for a change. Go see that beautiful man of yours.”

  Juniper opened her mouth to protest again, but she found herself fresh out of arguments. Margot would certainly have things under control, and besides, if Juniper was being honest, she badly wanted to see Alex today. She wanted to, hopefully, put some of her unease to rest.

  Despite her reservations, Juniper couldn’t help the thrill of excitement starting in her toes and rushing through her whole body as she pulled her car in beside the Harvey house. This house held such a special place in her memory. And now, she wasn’t just coming with the secret, hidden hopes of seeing an Alex who would hardly notice she was there. He had invited her, personally. He wanted her there. He wanted her.

  She glanced at herself in her rearview mirror before climbing out of her car and saw that she was blushing. Thinking about her night with Alex had that effect on her. Some of her nerves faded, replaced by anticipation as she hurried up the porch steps. Apparently, Alex was busy anticipating, too, because before she could reach the door, he let himself outside.

  “Hi!” She said brightly, leaning toward him and then hesitating, stopping short of giving him a kiss, uncertain of the etiquette. “It’s nice to see you. Thank you for the invitation.”

  He nodded and leaned down, giving her a quick peck on the corner of her mouth. “Hey, Sugar. I’m glad you came. Truly, I am.”

  Juniper pulled away from him, her stomach dropping. “Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ at the end of that sentence?”

  “No but,” he said with a strained half-smile. “You might want to know, though, before we go inside, that Will knows about us. I didn’t say anything, but apparently I didn’t have to, because he figured it out.”

  “He’s always been really observant.” Juniper could practically hear her throat click when she swallowed. She wasn’t sure whether or not she wanted to know Will’s opinion of her and Alex.

  Before she could voice her concerns, however, the girls came barreling out onto the porch full of energy and wild excitement. Thora and Lizzie took her firmly by the hands, and even Sophie looked like she was about to burst.

  “It’s like magic!” Lizzie shrieked, her little hand hot and sticky inside of Juniper’s.

  “What’s like magic?” Juniper asked with a laugh as Lizzie and Thora pulled her insistently toward the door.

  Sophia smiled her oddly adult smile. “She means that everyone is going to be here for Christmas brunch, for the first time in ages. We’re actually going to have a big, family Christmas this year.”

  “We’re expecting Travis at any minute,” Alex explained as he started to usher them all back into the house. “Actually, come to think of it,” he said as he squinted down the road, off into the distance, “I think that might be him coming right now.” That started another round of squealing and bouncing up and down from the girls. Juniper laughed, cheered by their enthusiasm.

  Sure enough, Travis’s truck became clearly visible on the long drive heading up to the house. When he pulled up and parked, he barely had a chance to climb out of the driver’s seat before all three girls flew at him, nearly knocking him back into the snow.

  “Well,” Juniper heard him say with a chuckle. “It’s good to see all three of you, too.” He scooped Thora up and under one arm, Lizzie twined herself around his opposite leg, and Sophia stayed close by his shoulder, grinning surprisingly widely, as he clomped up to the porch.

  “That’s our rodeo star,” someone said next to Juniper, and she turned to see that Will had joined them. “Always has girls hanging off of him.”

  Travis, overhearing him, threw back his head as he laughed. “These sure are the prettiest buckle bunnies I’ve ever seen, bar none.” Raising an eyebrow at Alex, he added, “I’m guessing we have you to thank for the hairstyles?”

  Alex flushed, and Juniper fought the urge to defend him. Yes, the girls’ hair could…maybe use some work, but she was sure that Alex had tried his best. Barettes just didn’t seem to be his thing.

  “Hey there, you,” Travis said, finally noticing Juniper and stepping over to sweep her into a bear hug and over his shoulder; she saw Alex roll his eyes.

  “So, the prodigal son has returned, has he?” She giggled and pulled away.

  Travis gave her an aw-shucks look that made her laugh harder. He had always had a larger-than-life personality, and she could see that time hadn’t changed that about him.

  “Now that you’ve hugged all the girls, do your brothers get a hello?” Will asked wryly. That began a round of handshakes and back slaps between the three brothers that continued until their father inside started loudly grumbling about all the fuss and did they intend to stand on the porch all day, letting all the warm air out.

  Apparently taking that as his cue, Alex turned to his daughters. “Okay, girls—time to go inside. You’ve been out here long enough without coats. Why don’t you show Juniper how pretty you’ve decorated the table for brunch?”

  That set Thora off on a monologue about everything she’d decided to do to decorate the table. Juniper was happy to listen and to allow herself to be led inside. Everyone else tromped in as well, except for Travis who had to get his bags from his truck.

  As Thora led Juniper into the dining room, they came across Scarlett, with her coat already on, headed for the door with her arms loaded down with bags. She looked particularly lovely today, her cheeks rosy with the warmth of the well-heated house.

  “Well, I’m off,” Scarlett announced, wobbling a little as she struggled to keep everything she was carried balanced.

  “Oh, you’re not staying?” Juniper asked, surprised.

  “No, I need to get home,” Scarlett replied, looking apologetic. “I’m actually running a little late. Bye, Abbott!” she called out toward the Harvey family patriarch. “Have a good time with your family—I’ll pop back in tomorrow to check on you.” Abbott muttered something in reply, and Scarlett seemed satisfied with that as she continued toward the door. Lizzie, such a sweet girl, went to hold the screen door open for Scarlett, whose hands were entirely too full, and then continued to stand there, narrating what she saw.

  “Ooh, Scarlett and Uncle Travis crashed into each other! She almost dropped her food…but I think it’s okay.” That was followed by a long discourse on all the things that they had made for brunch and how, since Scarlett had helped, they’d sent her home with a little of everything so she could enjoy it too, even though she couldn’t stay for brunch. “Uncle Travis sure is smiling at her a lot,” Lizzie added. Juniper wasn’t surprised to hear it. Travis always had been a flirt.

  “Is she smiling back?” Sophia asked, unusually interested.

  “Uh-huh, she really is.” That was more interesting. Scarlett had struck Juniper as the reserved type, not the sort to be easily charmed. Had it really been that easy for Travis to win her over? Only time would tell, but Juniper was glad she’d been here to witness it—or at least, get the first-hand, commentators account of it, courtesy of a five year old. Things were never boring in the Harvey household, that was for sure!

  Alex felt a little like he was having an out-of-body experience. Even after Travis told him that Christmas was a go, he’d figured there was only a fifty-fifty shot of his middle brother actually showing up. He had come through, though, proving Alex wrong. Watching the girls’ excitement at getting to hug him in person when they were only used to video chats had warmed Alex’s heart, and he couldn’t help feeling that he might not be giving Travis enough credit.

  Now, he, Travis, Will, and their father gathered around the kitchen island making idle chit chat while lazily setting the food out on the table. It felt good, better than Alex would have expected, to have them all together again, but there was still a certain amount of awkwardness there. It had been a long time since the three of them had been together. The last time it had happened had been their mother’s funeral, when the grief had hit them too hard for them to really be themselves. That wasn’t the case now. So would this time together end in family unity…or would they kill each other in a matter of days? They each had very strong, different personalities which easily clashed. Before, Mom had been there to run interference, but now? There was no buffer. It was just the three of them.

  Except that wasn’t entirely true. From where Alex stood, he could see out into the living room. Juniper was sitting cross-legged on the couch with Lizzie sitting in front of her. She had removed the barrettes from his youngest daughter’s hair, still so inexpertly applied after years of Alex’s attempts, and was busily braiding. She had already tackled Sophia and Thora’s hair, and both girls looked pleased as punch.

  It was such a simple thing, to have their hair braided by someone who knew how, but Alex could see how much it meant to them. It made his heart ache to watch it, too, not just because he could see how much his daughters craved that female attention. He still had such vivid memories of Fiona doing that same thing with Sophia. It had been a little ritual, just her and her oldest—because their two younger daughters had been too small for braids when they’d lost Fiona. They’d never had a chance to have those moments with their mother.