New Year’s Day: A Lancaster Holiday Novella (Lancaster Prep)

“I’M TIRED.” Paris stretches her arms above her head, delivering a jaw-cracking yawn for emphasis.

I glance at the clock on the wall. “It’s just past eleven-thirty. Not much longer to midnight now.”

“I don’t know if I can make it.” Paris rubs her eyes, her sister magically appearing at her side and grabbing one of her hands and tugging on it.

“Come on, Paris. You’ll be fine.” Pru drags her away from where I stand with West, Paris sending us a glance full of longing over her shoulder before she turns and starts complaining to Pru.

West is shaking his head, chuckling. “We should let Paris go to bed.”

“And miss the countdown to midnight? I don’t think so.” I do a twirl in front of my husband, always wanting to dance but most everyone has settled down, awaiting the clock to strike twelve. The housekeeper brought out a tray full of cups of hot chocolate for the children along with cookies and brownies, and all of the kids—even some of the adults—are eating themselves into a sugar coma.

Even West is nibbling on the corner of a brownie and when he offers it to me, I take a delicate bite, laughing when he shoves more of it into my mouth. I eventually take the whole thing from him and finish it off, licking the tips of my fingers when I do.

“That was a mistake on my part,” West says, his gaze zeroed in on my mouth. “Marta’s brownies are the best I’ve ever had.”

“It was delicious,” I say with relish, acting like a brat because I can.

But only with him.

For some reason I dreaded coming to my brother’s house for the annual New Year’s Eve party this year. I wanted to stay home, all cozy in our apartment, enjoying the quietness that comes during that week between Christmas and New Year’s. The girls were happy staying home as well, playing with their new toys and watching movies at night with us. I didn’t want to leave the safety and warmth of our sweet little nest.

It didn’t help that the drive to Whit and Summer’s was a tad treacherous. The weather was terrible, the snow already coming down in thick white sheets, and West was having a hard time seeing, which made me nervous. By the time we arrived, I was an agitated, nervous wreck, thankful to be here for the next couple of days.

Turns out that getting snowed in and celebrating the New Year with only your immediate family isn’t such a bad thing. There’s no need for small talk or being on your best behavior. Yes, most of the guests at this party are usually people we’ve known for a long time and are practically family. People I trust.

Spending tonight with all the children though? It’s been wonderful. And we’re creating priceless memories they will never forget.

I love that.

“Come on.” West hooks his arm around my shoulders and steers me around. “Let’s go talk to your brother.”

Whit really didn’t like West at first. More like he didn’t know him and therefore, he didn’t trust him. It took a while but eventually my husband wore him down—and now it’s like they’re the best of friends, along with Spencer. Throw my cousin Crew into the mix, and they’re all part of some Lancaster private men’s club.

I’m just grateful they get along. And I love how Crew has become a regular part of our immediate family. The majority of our children are around the same age which made us all gravitate towards each other. It’s nice.

They’re not just my family, but it feels like we’re friends too.

“Hot toddy?” Marta is approaching us, now carrying a tray full of delicious drinks of the adult variety.

“Definitely.” West takes a cup downright eagerly before glancing over at me. “You want one?”

I start to shake my head but Marta doesn’t even hesitate, handing a cup to me. “It’ll warm your insides,” she says before she bustles off. “I’ll bring the champagne out in a minute!”

West is grinning at me from above the rim of his cup, just before he takes a sip. “Damn, it’s strong.”

“Lots of alcohol?” I take a sip, wincing. “Oh, most definitely.”

“I bet she thinks we need it after spending the entire evening with the kids.”

“They aren’t so bad.” I shrug.

“No, they aren’t, are they?” West glances over at where Sylvie and Spence stand. “Is your sister feeling okay?”

I sneak a look in Sylvie’s direction. She’s laughing at something Wren is telling her and it’s nice to see a smile on her face.

“You know how she can get when we spend any length of time in this house.” I wasn’t there the day Mother died, thank God, but it lingers in Sylvie’s head to this day, which isn’t a surprise. It’s a shame that our mother can still have such a hold over her.

Though she’s much better now—Sylvie. Being a mother has changed her for one. And then there’s her steady prince, Spencer. He is the one person she can count on above all else. Spence loves my sister like no one else can, and for that, I’m eternally grateful to him.

“I don’t blame her, though I’m glad Whit didn’t sell the place.” The look on West’s face turns wistful. “Sometimes I have regret, selling the family business.”

“It was the right thing to do,” I reassure him as always. “And that was a long time ago. What’s done is done.”

I am not the type to regret much. There are seasons to life and though some are hard to let go, the future always brings with it good things. More opportunities. More growth. A deepening of relationships, especially with our children.

I love our girls. Paris and Pru are the lights of our lives and keep things interesting. And they’re funny—they make me laugh constantly. They’re sweet and total Daddy’s girls, and I haven’t pushed dancing on either one of them, which makes me proud.

Mother always pushed. And pushed and pushed and pushed some more. To the point that I was exhausted, all the time. I ran away from my family because I couldn’t stand being around my parents for any length of time.

My children want to be with us. They actually enjoy spending time with us, and I love that. More than anything, I love them.

“We should buy a house out here. I hear the McLaughlin estate down the road is for sale,” West suggests, his voice far too casual.

My brows shoot up. “You want to be neighbors with Whit and Summer?”

“I like it out here.” West shrugs. “What do you think?”

We have our apartment and a house in the Hamptons that belonged to West’s parents. Plus, we have a home in Napa that has been in West’s family for generations. We’re not interested in living in California though. That’s too far from our family here.

“I actually don’t mind the idea.” My answer makes my husband smile. “We should schedule an appointment with the realtor and see what the house looks like inside.”

“Already done.” West is grinning. “We have an appointment on the second.”

“Oh, you.” I swat at his chest and he catches my hand, bringing it up to his mouth and delivering a kiss to my knuckles. “What if I told you that I wasn’t interested?”

“I would’ve canceled the appointment.” He shrugs. “But I know you, Carolina. I had a feeling you’d want to at least see it.”

“You’re right.” I watch as he rubs his thumb across the ring he gave me so long ago. The one I still wear on my middle finger. “You know me so well.”

“We have been together for a while,” he says wryly.

“A few years,” I say with a giggle.

And I never giggle.

He yanks me into his arms, delivering a sound kiss upon my lips. “I can’t wait to count down the end of the year with you.”

“Why?” I smooth my hand over his chest. He’s wearing a suit like the rest of the men, but no tie, his shirt unbuttoned a little farther down than the rest. I like that he still does that. The man has swagger and it still catches my attention all these years later.

“I have a feeling the new year is going to bring plenty of good things,” he murmurs, his head descending, his lips drawing closer to mine.

“Oh, it always does,” I whisper, just as his lips brush mine. “Especially when we’re together.”

“Truer words were never spoken.” He kisses me, stealing my breath. “I love you, Carolina.”

“I love you too, Weston.” My husband kisses me, swallowing whatever words I planned on saying.

They didn’t matter anyway. What we just said to each other was enough.