Part 45 (2/2)
”I had to when the dizzy thing happened.”
”What's up with the dizzy thing?”
”No idea. It came on out of nowhere. I was fine one minute, and the world was swimming the next. Reminded me of when I had pneumonia.”
”Should we call the doctor?”
”I don't think so. It only lasted a second.”
”You're sure?”
She nodded, gazing up at him with love in her eyes. He'd never seen her looking so peaceful or serene. ”What?” he asked, smiling at her.
”Everything. It's perfect.”
”Yes, it is,” he said, leaning over to kiss her as her phone chimed with a text.
”I need to check that. We do have a houseful of guests.”
”Who can fend for themselves for five d.a.m.ned minutes while I kiss my fiancee.”
”You can kiss me around the clock when we get back to St. Kitts.” They were going for three weeks to close on their new house and to honeymoon in the sun.
”I'll hold you to that.”
”I really wish you would.” She withdrew her phone from her pocket. ”It's from Maggie. She wants to talk to us for a minute.” Kate sat up and texted back, telling Maggie to come to their room.
Reid groaned and rolled onto his back. ”So no more kissing?”
”In a minute.”
A knock on the door preceded Maggie into the room. ”I'm so sorry to bother you guys.”
”It's fine,” Reid said, waving her in. ”Do you want me to go so you can talk to Kate?”
”No, I want to talk to both of you about the project. The women and kids.”
”What about it?” Kate asked.
In a rush of words, she said, ”I want to be your director.” For Reid's benefit, she said, ”I double-majored in social work and sign language. I did a yearlong interns.h.i.+p in a homeless shelter in the city. I understand the issues and the challenges. I know how to help them. And I want to be here, with my sisters.” Looking at Kate now, she said, ”I really miss you guys.” Maggie stopped talking and took a deep breath. ”I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm dead serious about this. I'll give it everything I've got. I promise.”
Kate glanced at him, seeming astounded by her sister's speech. ”We need to talk it over.”
”No, we don't,” Reid said. ”As far as I'm concerned, the job is yours if you want it.”
Maggie gasped. ”You mean it?”
”If Kate agrees,” Reid said, looking at her. ”We were hoping to find someone who'd be pa.s.sionate about it.”
”I agree,” Kate said, drawing a scream of delight from her sister. ”You're sure you want to leave New York?”
As Maggie nodded, her eyes flooded with tears.
”What is it, honey?” Kate took Maggie's hand and urged her to sit between them on the bed.
”There was a guy in New York, but it's over now. I could really use a change of direction as well as scenery. And if I have to translate the details of one more disgusting murder, I might commit one.”
Kate laughed and hugged Maggie. ”We'd love to have you here with us. Wouldn't we, Reid?”
Seeing Kate surrounded by the people she loved warmed his heart. ”Absolutely.”
”Thank you,” Maggie said, wiping her tears as she stood. ”I'm sorry to barge in on you guys. I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing.”
Kate poked her sister in the ribs, making her laugh.
Maggie left the room, closing the door on her way out.
”Well, we can check interviewing for a director off our to-do list,” Reid said.
”Are you sure you're okay with Maggie doing it?”
”If I wasn't, I wouldn't have said I was. One thing you need to know about me, darlin', is I never say anything I don't mean.”
She lay back on the bed and held out her arms to him. ”Can we do some more of that kissing stuff we were doing before?”
”By all means.”
Christmas Day pa.s.sed in a whirl of food and presents and laughter and music. A foot of snow fell overnight, delighting the younger members of the family, who spent most of the day outdoors. A snowman was built and everyone but the seniors partic.i.p.ated in a ma.s.sive s...o...b..ll fight after dinner.
Kate was completely exhausted but happier than she'd ever been in her life. She'd waited all day for a moment alone with her dad, but he'd been outside with the twins for most of the day. She hoped they'd get a chance to talk before the wedding tomorrow.
They were gathered by the fire in the great room, relaxing after the busy day when the jingle of bells outside had the kids running for the windows.
”Oh wow,” Rob cried. ”It's a horse and sleigh! Two of them!”
Kate looked at Reid, who shrugged, but his mysterious smile gave him away.
”Who wants to go for a ride?” he asked.
”I do!” Olivia and her twin, Owen, said in stereo.
”We do, too,” John said, pus.h.i.+ng and shoving his twin Rob to get to their coats first.
”How fun,” Andi said. ”Count me in.”
”Me, too,” Frannie said, grabbing Jamie's hand and dragging him off the sofa.
”Each sleigh can take ten at a time,” Reid said. ”So we can go in s.h.i.+fts.”