The Christmas Catch

certainly weren’t expecting Ellen to show up.”
    “No.”
    Christine searched his eyes. “Sometimes life delivers things we don’t plan.”
    “I like to think of them as pleasant surprises.” John stepped closer, taking her in his arms just as Carlos and Ellen entered the kitchen.
    “Oops!” Ellen said.
    “We were just hoping to help serve dessert,” explained Carlos. He massaged his beard as Tyler and Mason also entered the kitchen.
    “What’s going on?” Tyler asked, contorting his lips. “More kissing ?”
    Ellen and Carlos stared at each other while Christine and John flushed.
    “Actually, Tyler,” Carlos said to the child. “We were all just thinking it’d be a good idea for some of us to go and look at that Christmas tree.”
    “Yeah, right,” Ellen piped in. “I believe there’s a package or two with your name on it.”
    Tyler’s face lit up. “Really? Whoohoo!”
    As they departed, Christine heaved a sigh. “Great friends.”
    “World’s best.”
    “What were we saying?”
    “I don’t know,” he said, drawing closer. “Something about life’s surprises?”
    And boy, hadn’t life surprised her with John. She hadn’t realized until last night how much she cared about him. Judging by the way he’d kissed her under the mistletoe, he had feelings for her too.
    “Sometimes what we least expect is the best, don’t you think?” she said, looking up at him. “What I mean to say is…” Christine stood a bit straighter, gathering her courage. “John, this holiday has been great, the best ever. I could never have imagined it happening to me, but it has.”
    “What has?”
    Heat swept from her temples to her toes as she locked on his gaze. “This… us, being here with you. Having you fit in so well with me and Tyler. And, you know what? I’m happy, really happy, for the first time since I don’t know when.”
    John swallowed hard and stared at her blankly. This was just what he had worried might happen. She was growing attached, more attached than he was ready for. John had seen the signs before and they’d always sent him running for the hills. He liked Christine, cared about her of course, but this was sounding really heavy. He’d made a hell of a mistake with that kiss when he would have done better to control himself. Now, she thought… Hell, he didn’t even know what she thought. He only knew he didn’t want to think about it. “Yes, well,” he said after a pause. “It’s been pretty terrific getting to know you all too.”
    There was an awkward silence during which they heard Ellen’s melodious laughter from the next room. John lifted a bottle of wine from the counter. “I’m going to see if anyone needs a refill,” he said, sounding like he might need one himself.
    Christine quickly followed after him, thinking she could use a drink, too.

    While the rest of the group seemed oblivious, Christine felt unsettled. She’d practically spilled her guts to John, and he’d basically said—nothing. Even now, he sat apart from her as if something were amiss. Maybe she was letting her insecurities get the best of her. She hadn’t felt close to a man in forever, and hadn’t even kissed anyone since Dan. And now, here she’d gone acting like some giddy teenager engaged in her first crush. She’d probably frightened John a little with her admission, but why wouldn’t he feel good that he’d helped make her happy? She studied him, hands clasped at his knees as he leaned forward with a congenial smile, watching Tyler opening his gifts. Was he avoiding meeting her eyes, or was she imagining it?
    Tyler dug into another package, Mason snoozing contentedly at his side. “Nintendo! Oh boy! Thanks, Auntie Ellen. Mommy said I couldn’t have one.”
    Ellen shot Christine a look. “Sorry.”
    “It’s fine,” Christine said, wishing everything really was okay.
    Carlos wrapped his arm around Ellen’s shoulder. “That’s what Aunties are for,” he whispered gruffly, but not quietly enough so the others didn’t hear him.
    Ellen grimaced at Christine, but Christine couldn’t tell if it was in apology or because Carlos’s embrace hurt her.
    Carlos studied Ellen with concern. “Are you all right?” he asked, lifting his arm. “Is this bothering—?”
    “Not much,” she said, snuggling against him in encouragement. “Just a touch of sunburn.”
    “Maybe I can help with some cold cream later?” he said softly in her ear.
    “Oh!” Ellen responded with