The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,26

would understand. Especially since she wouldn’t be visiting this year, anyway.

While he set up the DVD player, Kat tucked her feet beneath her, arranging the blanket with enough room to share. Jack hid a smile, pretending he hadn’t noticed the gesture.

“You and your sister must be close,” Kat said as she reached for her mug.

“We try to stay in touch even though she lives several hours away.”

“Is it just the two of you?”

“No, I’m the eldest of six. Four brothers and one sister. She’s the baby of the family.”

“What was it like growing up with so many siblings?”

“Loud. Chaotic. Messy. But also great.”

“Sounds wonderful,” she said wistfully. “Are you close with your other siblings as well?”

Jack paused, contemplating how to respond as he turned on the TV. Gray static filled the screen before he switched to the proper channel. “Not anymore. My brothers all work for my father’s real estate company. Each one’s in charge of a different region. Ever since my father and I had a falling out, the relationship between me and my brothers has faded into nonexistence. It’s like, as long as my father and I are at odds, the rest of us are in limbo, avoiding the conflict.”

“I’m sorry,” she said kindly. “Is there hope for you and your father to patch things up?”

Grabbing the DVD remote, Jack stared at it thoughtfully as he mulled over her question. He didn’t want to sound too morose, but he answered honestly, “I don’t think so.”

Cradling her warm mug in her lap, she gazed at him softly, a sympathetic sadness in her eyes.

He didn’t want to be pitied. The situation was what it was, and he’d come to grips with it a long time ago.

Attempting to alleviate the mood, he clicked play on the remote, striding toward the sofa. “Ready for the greatest Christmas movie of all time?”

Kat grinned, then her smile faltered. “You’re sure your sister won’t mind if you watch it without her?”

“One hundred percent.” In fact, Jack suspected she’d be glad he finally had a woman on his couch who wasn’t his little sister.

Now that he thought about it, he felt certain Lucy would like Kat almost as much as he did. An image of the three of them watching the movie together flooded his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

There wasn’t any point in daydreaming about Kat meeting his sister.

Their paths would never cross.

Lucy wasn’t coming home for Christmas.

And Kat would be leaving soon… whether he liked it or not.

Chapter 13

The next morning, Kat woke feeling more refreshed than she had in a long time. Jack’s bed, piled high with thick, cozy blankets, had created a snug cocoon, and the plaid pajamas he’d loaned her still carried his scent.

She raised her arm, burying her nose in the soft sleeve. But she could barely make out the lingering notes of cedar and chicory as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon flooded the bedroom.

Throwing back the covers, Kat slipped from between the flannel sheets, grateful Jack’s wool socks protected her feet from the cold hardwood floor.

As she padded softly down the narrow hallway, a sharp bark startled her. Instantly concerned, she dashed into the living room, her pulse racing. “What’s wrong? Is Fitz okay?”

“We’ve adopted quite the beggar,” Jack said with a chuckle.

Her heart sputtered at his use of we, but she tried not to read into it.

As though he’d transformed overnight, Fitz sat on his haunches, his furry backside wiggling in excitement as Jack dangled a strip of bacon.

“Let’s show Bennet what you learned.” Holding out his free hand, Jack commanded, “Shake.”

To Kat’s surprise, Fitz placed his large paw in Jack’s open palm.

“Good boy,” Jack praised before tossing the reward.

Fitz caught it midair, gobbling it down with gusto.

Kat smiled as she watched the adorable exchange. “I’m impressed. You just taught him that?”

“He’s a quick study.”

When he’d finished scarfing down his reward, the pup trotted over to Kat, nudging her leg with his muzzle.

“Good morning to you, too,” she laughed, scratching behind his fluffy ears.

“What’d I tell you? He’s a beggar.” Grabbing a long, ivory object from the counter, he offered it to the dog. “Here, buddy. Try this.”

Fitz sniffed it a moment before taking it gently from Jack’s hand. Prancing toward his bed by the fire, he stretched out on the blanket and began gnawing on his new treat.

“What was that?” Kat asked, sliding onto a barstool at the generous island. She noticed the kitchen seemed particularly well equipped given the modest size