Page 81 of The Christmas Arrangement

Holly, Merry, and Jack go next—their three things are simpler, about family and support and being there for each other.

Then, at last, it’s Mom’s turn.

She takes a sip of water before speaking.

“I’m grateful for Ivy. For being brave about so many things that I’ve never been able to be brave about. For leaning into love instead of running away from it.”

“I regret”—Mom stops and composes herself—“so much. Not having more faith in Danny. Trying to control Dash’s life because I was scared he’d get hurt. And letting that fear hurt Ivy.”

She’s crying openly now. Holly passes her a napkin.

She looks at me and then at Daniel. “Tomorrow, I’m going to start trying to fix the things I broke.”

The silence that follows is different from the earlier ones. Softer. Less jagged.

“Well,” Nick says finally. “We should finish eating before the food gets any colder.”

“And I made an amazing dessert,” Merry announces. “If I do say so myself.”

“You do,” Holly and Ivy tell her in unison.

Scattered laughter breaks the tension. Jack passes the bread. Careful conversations start up.

Nothing’s fixed, not even close.

But it’s a first step.

Chapter 31

We Finally … You Know.

Dash

* * *

After dinner, I find myself on the porch with Daniel. Neither of us plans it—we just both end up here, needing air, needing space.

“I don’t expect anything,” he starts.

“I want to know you. I want to hear about your life. Your music. Everything.”

“I’d like that.” His smile is shaky. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Will you stay in town through Christmas?”

“If you want me to.”

“I do.”

He pulls me into a hug. It’s awkward and tentative but, for the first time in my life, my father puts his arms around me.

After a moment, he clears his throat and slaps me on the back. Then he says, “I’ve got a question for you.”

“Shoot.”

“Is your mother dating anyone?”

I blink. Not the question I was expecting. “Uh, no. She doesn’t date. Ever.”