The Christmas Groom
Page 17
Stella’s eyes hooded over, stopping Ginger’s diatribe before it began. Instead, she wrapped her sister up in a hug. “Your secret is safe—for now.”
“Thanks.” Stella broke away. “But yours is about to blow up.” She hit the instant connect button on her phone. “Emergency Kringle meeting in the living room—now.”
“Copy that,” said Frost.
“On my way,” replied Robyn.
“We’re already here, dear,” said Mom.
“Can it wait? I’m up to my glasses in code,” asked Lux.
Stella folded her arms. “Sorry, girl—this is important.”
“Fine,” she groaned.
“I’m bringing Ginger.” Stella pulled her by her sleeve into the hallway.
“You stink, you know that?” Ginger adjusted her shirt.
Stella grinned. “I know—like dark chocolate with a twist of lemon. Come on. This is supposed to be a good thing.”
They hastened through the many corridors of their ice-encased home. Ginger loved the white and blue walls; they were sturdy and beautiful in an exotic way. What little girl wouldn’t love growing up in an ice castle? Not that the house suggested an ice castle from the outside. The exterior said “ice cave” while the interior said “palace.”
Ginger didn’t really have time to contemplate the natural grace around her as Stella propelled her forward.
Stella spoke quickly. “Lux was worried that the magic was fading—you know, because we’re girls instead of boys and the power has flickered for months and the elves are slowing down. I think even Dad’s worried, but you know him, he’d never say anything.”
Ginger nodded. This was why she loved Stella, despite her penchant for finding trouble. She didn’t believe in sugarcoating; she was brave. As they made their way down the Hall of Santas Past, which connected the workshop to their living quarters, Ginger felt the eyes of the paintings follow her. Santas’ images, captured by talented artists throughout the ages, lined both walls. The weight of their legacy bore into her as sharply as the tinsel tattoo had just moments before.
At the end of the hallway was a large, wooden door carved with the Kringle family crest. Ginger paused, wishing for a fraction of Stella’s bravery as she stepped forward to break her oldest sister’s heart and upset the First Family of Christmas like never before.
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