When the tree falls, they cheer for him, and he looks proudly at the large tree. “Let’s see if we can get in on the sleigh.” Sebastian drags it over, and Aiylin helps while Tinley jumps around excitedly.
Langdon is livid. He spent four days in a miserable hotel, alone, bored and planning. Then had to stop at the general store for directions. The woman was rude and almost didn’t give them to him. Only to come here and find her throwing herself at some man! He slips the bottle from his jacket and takes a pull. The drops will help calm him and allow him to think clearly. “Don’t react, Langdon. Patience.”
Aiylin is whispering to Tinley, and they hurry to make the snowballs before Sebastian is finished tying the tree down. Tinley giggles and Aiylin nods at her.
“Daddy, look!” Tinley calls out. Sebastian straightens and turns only to be struck by multiple snowballs.
“What! Betrayed! By my only child,” he crouches and quickly makes a large snowball before advancing on them.
“Help, Aiylin, Daddy’s going to get me!” she screams and runs behind her.
“Sebastian,” she giggles and points at him trying to sound stern. “We can talk about this,” Aiylin tries to back up, but Tinley is behind her hiding in her skirts.
He grins and throws the snowball with a soldier’s accuracy. It explodes, against her shoulder, raining snow over both girls.
The resulting squeals of indignation have him laughing out loud. “Get him, Tinley!” Aiylin shouts and reaches out, taking the child’s hand. They run straight at him, causing him to shout, but they are surprisingly fast. He grabs them both and falls backward into the snow laughing.
Tinley rolls away and shouts, “Snow angel!” and attempts to make one a few feet away.
Sebastian is smiling up at Aiylin, and she is glowing with joy. “That, Mr. Becker is how you play in the snow,” she laughs and kisses him spontaneously.
He takes the gift and savors the moment holding her loosely and sighing with contentment.
“Daddy, I’m cold,” Tinley says from the other side of the sleigh.
“I think that’s our cue to go get hot chocolate,” Aiylin says, rolling off him and waiting for him to help her up.
“Oma makes the best hot chocolate, Aiylin,” Tinley says.
“I can’t wait to taste it,” she smiles at the little girl and tugs her scarf off, wrapping it around her neck.
“Here this will help keep you warm,” she smiles.
Langdon watches as they walk back together to the house pulling the sleigh like a perfect little family. Rage pushes him to his horse and back to his hotel. He needs a new plan, he thinks as he drinks from his bottle again.
Chapter 20
Sebastian and Stanley build a tree stand out of wood, and finally, the tree is in the family room. The scent of pine mixed with the wood in the fireplace reminds Aiylin of Christmas.
Tinley is tucked in next to her with a blanket over her legs and sipping on her hot chocolate.
“I had fun today,” Aiylin says as she accepts a cup of chocolate from Elizabeth.
“I remember going to pick our tree as a child. It was one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Besides going to Christmas service. If the weather was bad, Daddy would read to us from the Bible.”
“Papa does that too,” Aiylin smiles and glances down when she feels Tinley stiffen.
Sebastian listens as they finish removing the rope holding back the branches of the tree.
“I was thinking today that I would hate to miss Christmas with you. If the offer still stands, I would be honored to spend Christmas with you all.”
Tinley squeaks, “Really?!”
“If your daddy says it’s okay,” she replies.
Aiylin glances at Sebastian who is now smiling broadly. “Aiylin, I could think of nothing I’d like more.”
“Wonderful, it’s settled then. Now we will decorate the tree tomorrow. I’m much too tired to try to do it tonight,” Elizabeth says.
“I agree,” Aiylin stands and stretches. “I think I will need to go to town to see Sheriff Dane. Hopefully, they’ve found my bags. I’m in desperate need of a new dress,” she teases.
“We will make a date of it,” Sebastian suggests as he walks towards her. “We’re having our annual Christmas market in a few days if the weather gives us a break. I’d be happy to take you to town so you can send a telegram to your family and perhaps do some Holiday shopping.”
Aiylin lights up, “I don’t know if you can keep up with me, Sebastian. I’m a professional when it comes to shopping.”
Her grin is contagious, and he rises to the challenge. “I love a challenge, Miss Miller.”
“Tell me about the Market, Elizabeth,” Aiylin says, ignoring his taunting smile.
“It’s lovely. Crafts, treats, clothes, toys, it’s wonderful! We will take two separate carriages. That way, you two can stay. I need to do some shopping as well. Christmas is only a week and half away!”
Sebastian glances at the couch behind Aiylin and smiles at Tinley. “She’s worn out, excuse me,” he lifts his sleeping daughter and carries her from the room.
“Poor lamb,” Elizabeth smiles and watches the way Aiylin’s eyes follow him from the room.
“Aiylin come sit with me and tell me exactly what my sister has been up to,” Elizabeth asks.
“I don’t like to speak ill of others, Elizabeth. That’s for Patrick to tell you.”
“Yes, well his letter spelled out quite a few incidents. What do you think about her behavior?” Elizabeth asks.
“Patrick believes that the loss of her husband and son was too great and that she clings to him for fear of losing him.”
“You don’t believe that?” Elizabeth asks and watches her closely.
“It isn’t that I don’t believe it, Elizabeth. Mena knows that loss. The
