Free Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley by Emma Cane Page B

bestowed a more natural smile on Walt and Diana, who were pointing out the Christmas decorations to their kids and trying to get the littlest to say “tree.”
    Lyndsay glanced at Kate again. “I bet Ethan’s glad to have you home for Thanksgiving.”
    They both turned to see Ethan looking down at his flip phone, as if he really didn’t care if his mom was there or not. Kate exchanged a glance with Tony, who rolled his eyes. For just a moment, she felt like they were on the same side.
    â€œEthan, who are you texting?” Tony asked.
    â€œBrad,” Ethan said absently, head still bent. “He’s here somewhere with his girlfriend.” His voice sounded a little sour as he said the last word.
    â€œGirlfriend?” Tony and Kate both echoed at the same time, then gave each other a surprised look.
    It was Lyndsay’s turn to roll her eyes before looking toward Mayor Galimi, who was getting ready to speak at a podium on the raised steps of town hall.
    â€œYeah, they’re dating,” Ethan said irritably. “It’s a pain. It’s not like anybody can drive yet, but they have to do everything together now.”
    Ethan wouldn’t be driving for three more years, but he made it sound like it was only next week. And it might go by that fast, too, Kate thought balefully.
    â€œBe nice about it to Brad,” Tony said. “He can’t help it.”
    â€œSure he can,” Ethan mumbled, but then he waved to someone.
    Kate turned and saw a tall, lanky boy holding the hand of a girl whose braces glinted in the lamplight. “Do they want to join us?” she asked, giving a wave.
    The two kids looked at each other and the girl waved back, then they bent their heads together and laughed. Kate knew she wasn’t being thought of as “cool” at the moment.
    â€œThey just got away from their parents . . .” Ethan began. “Do you mind, Mom?”
    â€œNo, of course not. Just listen for your phone.”
    He brightened, nodded, and hurried to join his friends.
    â€œThey seem awfully young,” Kate said wistfully.
    â€œYou two were practically dating at that age,” Lyndsay said. “Guess you guys know the kinds of mistakes they could be making.”
    Kate was only a little taken back. “Yeah, you’re right, Lynds,” she agreed. “It’s a different world now that my son is almost in high school.”
    T ony didn’t know if he should step between his sister and his ex-wife or let them fight it out at last. They looked at each other like strangers. In some ways, that was almost as bad as his ruined marriage. But they were polite to each other, and Lyndsay had a big smile for Walt and Diana and their kids. Yet when Lyndsay looked away, Walt glanced at Tony and gave him a raised eyebrow. Well, there wasn’t anything Tony could do to make this reunion between former best friends less awkward, so he just shrugged.
    He remembered how Kate had ducked calls from his sister when he and Kate had first started having problems. Or she would only tell Lyndsay about school stuff. He, too, had felt bad for not confiding in his family, but how would he have been able to tell them he’d made a terrible mistake, when he’d been so certain marrying Kate had been his destiny?
    During the lead-up to the divorce, he’d had to deal with his own sadness and feelings of betrayal while answering his sister’s endless confused questions at the same time. Once everything had settled down and they’d gone on with their lives, things had worked out fine, but now, looking at the invisible shield Lyndsay seemed to be wearing, he wondered what she could be thinking.
    As the band played “O Holy Night,” Kate offered a paper sleeve of roasted chestnuts. Tony helped himself while Lyndsay politely declined. Kate handed them off to her brother, whose middle child grabbed for it and almost knocked it to the