Celeste going to be on your float this year?” If not, maybe Courtney could snag her.
“I don’t think Celeste is ever going to be on a float again after her first Seaside with Santa parade. She still complains about how she almost froze her tail off.”
Courtney snickered. “Not easy being a mermaid in a storm.” Okay, she’d have to find another sucker to keep Moira and her company back there.
Jenna left, and two more customers slipped in before closing time. One bought another of the starfish scarves, and her friend purchased a stylish red rain slicker.
After that it was closing time. Courtney locked up and went home, ready to devour the dinner Annie was making.
The aroma of spices and something chocolate baking greeted her as she walked in the door. “Smells like heaven in here,” she called.
She entered the kitchen to find Emma parked at the kitchen table, doing homework, and Annie taking a batch of brownies out of the oven. A giant pot on the stove said, Chili, it’s what’s for dinner. A pan of cornbread sat cooling on a rack on the counter.
“You are amazing,” she said to Annie.
“I try,” Annie said modestly.
“Hey, Chickadee-dee,” Courtney said to Emma. She walked over to where Emma sat huddled over her math book and gave her a hug. “How’s the schoolwork coming?”
“I hate math,” Emma grumbled.
“Yes, but it comes in handy when you’re baking and have to double a recipe or when you’re running a business.”
“I don’t want to run a business,” Emma said. “I want to be a hairstylist like Moira. Remember, Aunt Courtney?”
“Hairstylists have to do all kinds of math when they’re mixing those colors,” Courtney said. Or not. Who knew? “Plus you’ll be so successful, you’ll have to be good at math to keep track of all that money you’re going to make.”
“I’ll hire somebody to do that,” Emma said.
Kids today. They were too smart.
Courtney shed her coat and went to her worktable to finish a final design for her spring line. She was almost done when Annie announced that dinner was ready.
Emma had finished her homework and set the table, and the three sat down for a cozy winter dinner. Well, it was cozy until discussion of Christmas plans came up.
“Can I spend Christmas Day with Daddy?” Emma asked.
Annie and Courtney exchanged looks. Daddy still didn’t have his act together and was living in a dumpy apartment one town over, where he hadn’t yet worn out his welcome. He had visitation rights, which he rarely used, and the last time he’d used them, Annie told Courtney she’d smelled the booze on his breath from a foot away. He’d been buzzed and obnoxious and she’d been glad they’d been meeting in a public place.
“We’ll see,” Annie said.
Emma’s mouth fell down at the corners. “I know what that means.”
“It means we’ll see.”
“If I can’t go to Daddy’s, can he come here?”
Annie’s expression asked Courtney, What should I do?
The rental agreement was in Courtney’s name. She could refuse. But girls needed to see their daddies, even if that daddy was a loser. And maybe, for one day, Greg could behave.
“I’m okay with it,” she said to Annie.
“Yay!” Emma crowed.
“Let’s see what your mom and dad can work out though,” Courtney quickly added, helping Annie keep her options open.
“Thanks,” Annie said to her after the dishes were cleared and Emma had gone to brush her teeth.
“We can handle it,” Courtney said, and poured herself a cup of mint tea. “He can come in the afternoon after Jonas and I are back from seeing our families. That way we’ll be here to make sure he keeps his shit together. But tell him if he comes he has to come sober or we won’t let him in.”
“Hopefully he can manage that,” Annie said glumly. “Sometimes I wish I’d never met him.”
“But if you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have Emma,” Courtney pointed out.
“I know. And she’s worth all the misery he brings into my life. If only he’d stop drinking.”
“That would be the best Christmas present he could give his daughter.”
“It would be a nice present for his ex-wife, too. Emma still blames me every time he creates a problem or messes up and things don’t go right.”
“She will for a few more years,” Courtney said. “Then her eyes will be opened and you’ll be her new best friend.”
“I sure hope you’re right,” Annie said.
“I am. Trust me. Come on, grab something to drink and let’s go see what we can stream on Netflix.”
They made