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Olivia smiled at the way she kept referring to him as ‘the boy’, since Reece was a full-grown man well into his thirties. But she understood.

“I’m glad everything is being resolved,” she approved.

“Even better, I am delighted to see him and Grace finally on good terms again. These two always used to be so tight! I think it broke her heart when Reece chose to align himself with Jeremy.” Charlie eyed her with a touch of caution. Hopefully. “Olivia. Did she explain to you…”

She let her voice trail off, prompting Olivia to nod.

“Yes. I know what happened to her and her girlfriend that Christmas Eve. And the way her parents reacted to finding out she was in love with a woman.”

“She told you.”

“Yes, she did.”

Charlie’s eyes shone in relief and pure joy. She clasped her hand in hers and flashed a beaming smile. “I thought she might… I was so hoping she would! It occurred to me that she must have when she said she’d invited you for Christmas, but…”

“Don’t cry, Charlie,” Olivia said gently.

“It’s happiness, darling. You and my Grace… Yes?”

“Yes. We’ve grown close. Intimate.”

“I am so grateful.” Charlie hugged her. “So grateful!”

“Where is she, then?” Olivia inquired as she looked around the room. “Running late?”

“No, she’s here. Come.” In the kitchen, Charlie pointed out the window. “She’s outside making business calls.”

No coat, Olivia noted. Standing in snow up to her ankles in lace-up boots, tailored black jeans, and a fitted burgundy blazer. From her body language and energy, it wasn’t hard to guess that her lover must be laying down the law for whoever was on the line.

“Business calls on Christmas morning?”

“Go figure,” Charlie shook her head. “And gallons of black coffee.”

Olivia smiled fondly.Typical,she thought again. Her heart performed a nice little flip as she observed her. Grace had got in late the previous night. Or early morning, actually. They had not seen each other since Florida.

“I think she must be a little nervous about today,” Charlie said softly. “Does a great job of pretending, but she can’t hide it from me.”

“How long has it been since she saw her father?”

“Going on ten years now.”

“Gosh…”

“She’s doing this for me, you know? Though it turned out to be only due to stress and easily improved in the future, I was still shaken by my recent heart issue. Grace’s father, my brother John, also recently came out the other side of a tough round of cancer treatment.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was sick.”

“He’s doing much better now, thank you, darling. But I told Grace neither of us is getting any younger. And how I missed spending Christmas together as a family. She went away in that quiet way she has and didn’t mention it again. I had no idea she was working on a reunion behind the scenes. This is the best present I could ask for, and even better because you are a part of it.”

“Thanks, Charlie. It means a lot to me as well.”

“I’m so glad.”

“It seems reconciliation is in the air for the family now,” Olivia added.

“True. I think Chloe is as relieved as I am, to be honest. I’m sure you will like her when you meet her. Her husband, Mark, is lovely as well.”

“What about Jeremy?”