From the Heart

placed it on the stove. “Where did you learn to speak French like that?”
    “My roommate at college was a language major. Where’s the popcorn?”
    He walked to her, ignoring the question. “What did you say to him? I always thought my French was good, but the two of you went well beyond me.”
    “Just this and that.” Kasey smiled. “I did tell him you wanted him and the rest of the kitchen staff to have the night off. You do have popcorn, don’t you?”
    Jordan laughed and reached into a bottom cabinet. “I smuggled it in at great personal risk.”
    “You’re a tough guy, Taylor.” She took the can from him. “I’ll need some oil.” He gestured for Alison to get it, then leaned close and whispered a quick French phrase in Kasey’s ear. Her mouth turned up. “I’m shocked,” she murmured. “Interested, but shocked. I don’t think I’ll ask you where you learned that.”
    In moments the kitchen was noisy with the popping of the corn. Alison sat at the butcher block table, ankles crossed, carefully cutting lengths of string. Jordan settled across from her and watched. When was the last time he had sat listening to that sound? he wondered. In college? No, at his brother’s house, five, perhaps six, years ago. Perhaps Kasey had been right. He had insulated himself.
    “Another masterpiece,” Kasey declared, turning the popcorn into a bowl. “No duds.”
    He dipped his hand into the bowl. “Where’s the butter?” he demanded. Alison’s hand brushed his as she dug in.
    “Grab a needle,” Kasey instructed each of them.
    They worked in anything but silence. Alison chattered continually between mouthfuls. Her string of popcorn grewlonger by the minute. It seemed to Kasey that they had sat like this before on other Christmas Eves, that they would sit like this again. But she knew better and shivered.
    “Cold?” Jordan asked her.
    “No.” She tried to shake off the feeling. “A goat ran over my grave.”
    “That’s a goose,” he said and smiled at her.
    “Goose, goat.” She shrugged. She stuffed a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “You’re not doing so well there, Jordan,” she observed.
    “I need incentive.”
    “Mine’s going to be the longest,” Alison declared. “It’s going to be a hundred miles long.”
    “Don’t count your chickens before they cross the road,” Kasey advised. “How do you do that, Jordan?” she asked, studying him. “Did it come naturally, or did you practice?”
    Jordan shook his head in amused confusion.
    “I mean lift one eyebrow,” Kasey explained. “It’s marvelous. I’d love to be able to do it, but both of mine work at the same time. Let’s have some hot chocolate.” She sprang up and began to rummage through cupboards. Jordan abandoned his string and watched her.
    “Kasey, come here a minute.”
    “Jordan, preparing hot chocolate requires concentration and care.” She measured in the milk. Crossing the room, he took her arm and pulled her under the doorway. He pointed above their heads with one finger. Kasey smiled at the mistletoe. “Is it real?” she asked.
    “It’s real,” he assured her.
    “Well, in that case . . .” She touched her mouth lightly to his.
    “That’s not how they kiss in the movies,” Alison commented and plucked another piece of popcorn.
    “Absolutely right,” Jordan agreed before Kasey could comment. He drew her back into his arms and covered her mouth with his. The kiss lengthened, and the sweetness of it made Kasey’s throat ache. She held him close. She would remember that kiss before all the others, she knew.
    “That was much better,” Alison stated when Kasey drew away. “My string’s finished.”
    Later they sat in the drawing room again. Alison was curled next to Jordan on the sofa with Kasey’s guitar in her lap. Kasey watched the colors from the lights on the tree play across her face as she drifted into sleep.
    “She’s had a long day,” Kasey murmured.
    “I’m looking forward to seeing her face when she gets her presents tomorrow.” He slipped the guitar from Alison’s limp arms and handed it to Kasey. “Your little gift is safely tucked away?”
    “Charles is guarding my little gift in the garage. I’m not sure he’s going to part with it easily.” She rose. “I’ll take Alison up and put her to bed.”
    “I’ll do it.” Jordan shifted his niece into his arms and stood. “Why don’t you put some music on?”
    When he had gone, Kasey went to the cabinet that