“Hotel Theodora is amazing, Dad,” Ashley said with a sniff. “The beds are comfortable, the company is extraordinary, and the food is like eating at a five-star restaurant.”

“You eat at a lot of five-star restaurants?” Hayes teased her.

“I don’t have to,” Ashley shot back. “I have my own personal chef.”

“Still sharp even on pain medication.”

Theo pressed a kiss to the side of Indigo’s face before she put her down outside of Ashley’s room. “How does a movie sound?” There had been a lot going on in the last couple of weeks. The next day was Christmas Eve, and everyone would be gathering at the Reilly’s house. They had another house guest, and even though Hayes was friendly and seemed easy going, his presence was still another disruption in the child’s life. If all that wasn’t enough, Cleopatra was back at home and schedules would shift once again. Even good things were hard to adjust to sometimes, and Theo thought a little downtime might not be the worst idea.

“I’m good with a movie,” Indigo agreed. “Can I watch whatever I want?”

“What did you have in mind?”

Indigo thought about it for a few seconds. She scrunched her face up and tilted her chin to the side. “How about Muppet Christmas Carol? Or The Grinch? Maybe Gremlins?”

Theo smiled and shook her head. “Yes, yes, and are you kidding?”

Indigo giggled and ran into the living room. “Okay,” she said throwing herself onto the couch. She found Pickles where she’d left him earlier and hugged him against her. “Kermit.”

“We are so related,” Theo told her. “It’s a very dangerous topic, so I don’t bring it up, but just between you and me, Kermit is by far the best Muppet.”

Theo got the movie started for Indigo and ushered Hayes into the kitchen.

“Dear lord, what is that heavenly smell?” Hayes sat down at the table and Theo brought over a large plastic container full of Christmas cookies. She pulled the lid off and put a plate in front of him.

“Jambalaya with chicken, shrimp and sausage.”

“You didn’t leave anything out.”

Theo smiled. “I know most people don’t put in all three. That’s the way Jordan likes it, so that’s the way I make it. And if jambalaya isn’t to your liking, I’m about to put a big pan of macaroni and cheese into the oven.”

“Let me guess,” Hayes said, picking out an overly iced sugar cookie and putting it on his plate. “The little one hasn’t yet cultivated a palate for jambalaya?”

Theo smiled. “Exactly. She will eat her weight in the hush puppies I’ll be making, though.”

“My kind of kid.”

“Would you like some milk? Tea? Coffee?”

“Actually, what I would like is for you to sit with me a minute.”

Theo pulled a chair out and sat down. She picked a chocolate chip cookie from the container and took a bite. They could both hear footsteps as they made their way up the stairs. When the door opened, Caleb was the first to emerge.

“Hey, baby sister,” he greeted. Theo smiled.

“We’re supposed to be making the announcement that we’re engaged to both sides of the family tomorrow night, but everyone already knows.”

“Sounds to me like it was a long time coming,” Hayes said, choosing a second cookie.

“The Murphys and the Reillys go way back. Jordan and I have known each other since birth. We’ve liked each other for that long, too. Caleb?” Theo watched as both men turned the corner and moved toward the master bedroom. “Eh,” she smiled. “I guess he’s alright.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Caleb told Hayes. “She loves me.”

“She tolerates you,” Jordan corrected. “That’s not the same thing at all.”

“You’ve got something really special going on here,” Hayes told Theo.

“Did Ashley tell you about this past year?”

Hayes nodded. “She called me the day of her interview. She was kind of in a state of shock. She couldn’t believe you’d called her in.” He took a deep breath and leaned forward in his chair. “Ashley didn’t have an ideal childhood. Her mom and me,” he shook his head, “we were a mistake. Ashley was not. I haven’t been able to provide for her exactly the way I’ve always wanted. She didn’t come from much. I’ve always tried to let her know that she’s my everything.”

“She loves you very much,” Theo told him. “She’s quite obviously a daddy’s girl, and I know how to spot those, being one myself.”

Hayes smiled. “You and your dad are close?”

“We were. He passed away. It was very sudden. He died when I was seventeen. It’s been twelve years, but I still miss him like it was yesterday.”

Hayes reached over and put his hand over Theo’s. “This may sound hollow coming from a man you just met. I’m going to say it anyway. I truly believe your father would be incredibly proud of you.”

Theo sniffed. The mention of her father had brought on the sting of tears and she blinked them away.

“I appreciate that,” she said.

Hayes pulled his hand away and picked a silver candy from his cookie. He popped it into his mouth. “I heard a lot about Trix. I know she’s a firecracker. Little bee really likes her a lot. For several weeks, she’d call me upset, sure she wouldn’t be able to keep up. As time went on, and she was doing well in school, her confidence grew.”

Jordan and Caleb came through the kitchen again on their way back down to the basement. Theo listened to their footfalls for a second.

“I was so happy Trix was here when I decided to bring Ashley in. The two of them hit it off, and they worked so well together. Ashley has what it takes to do this job. I knew she did before I hired her. She was taught by the best, and already she’s showing huge promise.”

Hayes watched Theo for a moment. “Ashley speaks as highly of Trix as you do. But she’s not the one my daughter talks about most when she calls me. I’ve heard all about the storm, and Indigo’s disappearance. She told me about the Madeleine and about Cleopatra.” He shook his head. “I must admit, your names intrigue me. They’re so different.”

Theo laughed. She’d always gotten a lot of comments about her name. “My father was a history professor. He loved it. He named his firstborn after the queen, Cleopatra. I got my name from the empress, Theodora. My middle name is Justine. I thought about using it about a million times, but I never did.”

“Don’t. Theodora suits you.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment,” she laughed again, “but I’ll take it as such.”

“Definitely a compliment, my dear.” He paused. “Here comes the mattress. It’s awful nice of y’all to go to so much trouble for me.”

Theo turned and saw the Reilly boys bring the last of the bed up.

“It’s no trouble. I knew having you here would do Ashley a ton of good, and when I mentioned it to Jordan, he offered right away to serve as airport transit. And Caleb doesn’t live in Whisper Creek anymore. He’s never asked to do anything, so moving a couple of mattresses is not a big deal.” She made her voice a bit louder. “Thank you,” she called to the brothers.

“I’m coming after those cookies,” Caleb replied.

“They’re here when you want them.”

Hayes listened to the friendly banter going on in Ashley’s room as the boys began setting up the bed. “I wanted to say thank you.” Theo watched him. “You believed in my daughter when she didn’t believe in herself. You gave her an enormous opportunity, and you supported her, made her feel as if she could do something she never thought she could. That’s huge, and on its own, that’s something any parent would be grateful for. But you saved my little girl. You literally saved her life, and you did it after you’d been so injured yourself. Ashley wouldn’t be here right now if you hadn’t gone up to that cabin and brought her back. I can’t express to you just how thankful I am that you didn’t let that monster take my little bee away from me.”