“I planned to meet with the Women’s League in Dragon’s Bluff,” her grandmother said. “If you want to visit your parents and deliver your ornaments I could have the driver drop you and Derek off at Sanctuary and come back for you after lunch.”

She was surprised her grandmother would make such a generous offer. “That sounds wonderful. I’ll call my parents and make sure it works for them. One phone call later, Bryn had her plans for the day in place.

When they reached Sanctuary, both of her parents waited for them on the other side of the gate.  “Do you want to come in for a moment to say hello?” Bryn asked.

Her grandmother looked away. “Perhaps another day. I wouldn’t want to be late for my meeting.”

Bryn interpreted that response as “Absolutely not,” but hoped she was wrong.

“All right. We’ll see you in a few hours.” Derek had already exited the vehicle, carrying the box of ornaments. He came around to open Bryn’s door. After checking in atthe front gate and receiving their passes, Bryn wasn’t sure how to introduce Derek so she improvised.

“Mom, Dad, this is my assigned shadow, Derek. Derek, meet Ian and Sara McKenna, my parents.”

They exchanged rounds of the obligatory nice-to-meet- you’s and then headed toward her parents’ cabin.

“What’s in the box?” her mom asked.

Bryn grabbed the box from Derek. “It’s a surprise.” The wind picked up as they walked straight down theroad before branching off to the right-hand street. Bits of sleet randomly hit Bryn in the face. “Please tell me it’s not going to sleet today.”

“I heard we might have some snow,” her mom said.

“Snow is fun, sleet is obnoxious,” her dad said as he opened the front door for them. Bryn followed her mom inside and then heard her dad say, “You’re not going to stand out here. Come inside.”

Derek didn’t argue with her dad, but after surveying the small living room and kitchen area, he said, “I’ll keep watch by the door.” He moved to stand by the front door with his back to them. Could he even see anything out of the small window set into the door? Better than staring at a wall, but still, it made Bryn uncomfortable.

“Let me take that for you.” Bryn’s dad plucked the box from her hands and passed it to her mom.

“Thank you.” Her mom settled on the couch and opened the package. “Boxes inside a box.” She opened one of the smaller boxes and pulled out the globe made from swirling blue and green glass. “Oh, honey. I love it.”

“They’re handblown. I found them in the art store in Dragon’s Bluff.”

“Makes me wish we’d kept the tree inside a little bit longer,” her dad said.

Her mom unwrapped a purple teardrop ornament and held it up to the light. “They don’t have to be just for Christmas. We could hang them from the skylights, like a chandelier.”

“I’ll get the ladder,” her dad said.

Warmth blossomed in Bryn’s chest. She’d missed these positive, warm, family moments. She loved her grandmother, but the difference in joy between the two women was astounding.

Her dad brought the ladder back in and handed Bryn a spool of wire. “This should work.”

Bryn helped her mom unwrap all the ornaments and attach varying lengths of wire to the ends where the hooks would normally go.

“I’ll hold the ladder,” said her dad.
Bryn grabbed an ornament, intent on climbing the ladder.

“Let me help you,” Derek said.

“Afraid I’ll fall off the ladder and you’ll have to explain the situation to my grandparents?” Bryn asked.

Derek grinned, and his eyes lit up. “Yes, plus staring out the door is boring.”

Bryn handed the ornaments to Derek while her dad held the ladder and her mom approved of their placement. When they were finished, the ornaments hung in a descending swirl design.

“I love it,” Bryn’s mom said. “I’ll make us some hot tea.”

Derek moved back toward the door.
“Have a seat,” her dad said. “And I won’t take no for an answer.”

“The Sinclairs would not approve,” Derek said.

“They won’t hear about it,” her dad said.

“Okay, then,” Derek sat on the couch next to Bryn. Her mom sat on the far side, and her dad brought a kitchen chair into the living room.

“How are things going in Sanctuary?” Bryn asked.

“We’re turning one of the cabins into a yoga studio,” her mom said. “The interior walls had fallen down and no one wanted to go through the work to replace them, so I asked to use the space.”

“You’re making sure it’s safe, right?” Bryn said. “I’d hate to lose you in some sort of cabin collapse.”

“We’re reinforcing the walls and making sure it’s sound,” her dad said.

“My uncle works construction,” Derek said. “If you need any extra manpower he could probably nd some volunteers.”

“Thank you,” her dad said. “We might take you up on that.”

For the next hour, Bryn relaxed and enjoyed her parents’ and Derek’s company. It was funny how easily he fit in with her family, in a way Jaxon never would.

When his cell vibrated, Derek checked the screen and sighed. “They’re waiting for us at the front gate. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. McKenna, for making me feel welcome. I’ll wait outside while Bryn says her goodbyes.”

“It was nice meeting you,” her mom said.

“Good to know you’re looking out for Bryn,” her dad said.

Derek nodded and headed out the front door.

“If you wanted to trade that snotty blond kid in for this guy,” her dad said, “I wouldn’t mind.”