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I’ll talk to you soon I texted er

23

Ethan

The sledding hill was ja in the barn for the first few hours People were actually dancing Bundled up two-steps and aard dips There was a snow contest that was just about to devolve into a snowball fight—which only see

Paul’s booth of homemade cocoa and apple cider was lined up Kristen had made it back and she and Paul seemed to be attached at the lips, which was actually pretty awesoet into it with her, but she seemed…happy? Relaxed? That was kind of a first for my sister

The air s fried up and eaten hot and sweet right out of mittened hands

“Look at this, Dad,” I said, putting ”

“It’s a Your mother would love it,” Chris said He’d been a bit sad earlier, Matt having left And I wanted to say so about how he couldn’t be that surprised, could he? Matt loved other things more than this place and that was fine It was okay Because I loved it enough for all of us

Dad’s so us a wide berth, waving at us fro

“So on?” I asked my dad

“Not that I’ve noticed,” he said

It was subtle but it was real, I was sure of it Maybe Matt put his foot in it before he left Wouldn’t be the first time and it certainly wouldn’t be the last

“Have you seen Lexie?”

“Last I saw her she was heading up to the workshop with some of her kids”

“Final rehearsals, I guess”

I walked upstairs to the barn only to find Lexie there with Ben and about half the usual reindeer “What’s going on?” I asked Lexie turned toBaby Girl was nestled in her purse, her head hanging over the edge She didn’t even growl at ive her a pat

It was hard to tell, but I thought her tail agging

Talk about Christmas Miracles

Now, Lexie had strong the-show-y, but I could tell she was pretty bummed to have lost half her kids

“Nerves?” I asked

“I don’t know A couple parents stopped by the desk and toldand they were really rude”

“Rude?”

“Yeah, and I can’t get Chelsea to answer her phone”