was all so much. She didn’t want to rush him. He had to be completely overwhelmed.
The door swung open and Agent Gallagher stood there, smiling out at them. “Come in. Jak, Harper. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Agent Gallagher,” Harper said, stepping over the threshold, Jak behind her.
“Merry Christmas,” Jak mimicked, and Agent Gallagher smiled more broadly, giving him one of those manly shoulder pats as he entered his home.
“Please, you’re in my home. No Agent Gallagher.” He smiled. “Call me Mark. And come meet Laurie. She’s in the kitchen.”
They followed Mark through the foyer and down a short hall. “I’ll put these under the tree real quick. Hold on.” He took the packages from Harper’s hand and stepped into the living room, a beautifully decorated, brightly lit tree in the corner, and then met them again in the hall. “Right this way.” He smiled and led them into a large, open kitchen at the end of the hall. A pretty woman with straight, shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a red apron was taking something out of the oven and she turned, placing the tray on the counter and smiling when she saw them.
“Laurie, this is Harper and Jak,” Mark said, as Laurie took off the oven mitt and came around the island.
“Mrs. Gallagher,” Harper said, taking her hand. “Thank you for having us to your home.”
“Thank you for coming, dear. We’re so happy to have you.” She shook Harper’s hand and then held her hand out to Jak who took it tentatively. “Merry Christmas. Please, call me Laurie.” She smiled again, and though her smile was bright, there was a sadness in her eyes that was unmistakable—a very slight rim of red that made Harper think she’d cried recently.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Mark asked. “I’ve mixed up a special batch of my eggnog.”
“Sure,” Harper said. “I’d love some.”
“I’d love some too,” Jak said, looking unsure. Harper grabbed his hand discreetly between them and squeezed.
“You three go on in to the living room while I finish up the appetizers,” Laurie said.
“Can I help you with anything?” Harper asked.
Laurie hesitated, glancing back at the counter. “Oh sure, if you don’t mind. I just need to lay a few things out on trays.”
“Great. I can definitely handle that.”
“Come with me, Jak,” Mark said. “The drink cart is in the living room. Harper, yours will be waiting.”
Jak glanced behind him as he followed Mark out of the room and a warm flush of tenderness washed over her at the uncertain look on his face. He felt comfortable with her over anyone else. Anyone else in the world, she realized, and the thought caused a feeling of deep honor to fill her.
Laurie told her what she needed done and they chatted easily, getting to know each other, Laurie telling Harper how the adjustment between sunny California and snowy Montana was going. Laurie Gallagher was warm and kind, and Harper liked her immensely after only ten minutes. Her heart broke to know that such a motherly woman had lost her only child.
They each carried two trays of appetizers into the living room where Mark and Jak were standing by the Christmas tree, both holding a glass of eggnog. Mark helped them set down the food, and then handed them each a glass. “Merry Christmas. Thank you both for joining us and brightening our home.” He looked at his wife and a flash of sadness moved between them before they both smiled, raising their glasses. Harper and Jak raised their glasses as well and then Harper took a sip of the rich, creamy drink, with the barest hint of alcohol. She was glad it was subtle. She wasn’t much of a drinker, and anything more, would have been too strong for her.
As she was lowering her glass from her lips, she glanced at Jak, who had just taken a drink. A look of pure horror crossed over his face before he sputtered, a spray of eggnog raining from his mouth as he coughed and retched and tried to catch his breath.
Harper took the cup from him, as Mark began patting his back and Laurie rushed forward with a napkin. He took it, wiping at his mouth as tears from coughing filled his eyes. “Oh dear,” Laurie said. “Are you okay? Let me get you some water. You must have swallowed it down the wrong tube.”
She rushed off and Mark ceased pounding on Jak’s back as he coughed once more, taking a deep breath. “What is that?”