“Not really. We metabolize fat better than regular people. But in the water, then we are brilliant.” Ramsey’s eyes lost focus as if he was looking back at a memory. “In school my siblings and I were on the swim team and we always came in first. Well, unless there was a selkie on the other team. Then there was real competition. The coaches wanted us to try to go to college on scholarships or join teams that competed nationally, but they do blood tests looking for drugs at that level and our blood would come up looking different.”
“I’m sorry. That sucks.”
He tore off some bread. “I can always slip into my skin and race other seals or whales.”
“That must be amazing.”
“I love the ocean, and I love the city. I think I’d go crazy if I couldn’t have them both.”
I leaned back, sat up and pulled my braid in front of me, and relaxed again into the chair. I twirled the black and red end of my braid around my finger. “So when do you leave? I mean I assume you’ll be going home for Christmas.”
“Hen, are you trying to get rid of me?”
I rolled my eyes.
Ramsey gathered up the empty plates, set them aside, and picked up the pastry box. “Dessert?”
“Of course.” I moved so I could see what he’d brought.
“I wasn’t sure what you like, so I got a variety of Christmas biscuits, and a mince pie for each of us.”
“They all look wonderful.” I picked a shiny dark brown sphere.
“That’s a rum ball. Be careful, they can be potent.”
I smelled the rum, and a sweet warmth filled my mouth. “Yum, but I don’t think I should eat more than one.”
Ramsey ate the other, and his eyes widened. “These are stronger than my Grandfather’s, and I didn’t think anyone would dare make them stronger than that.”
“You have a big family—that must be nice,” I said.
“Aye. Of course sometimes it feels overwhelming when you’re related to half the village you grow-up in.” Ramsey grinned. “Of course when I was in trouble there were plenty of places to run away to.”
“I grew up alone, there was no one to run to. Who I lived with changed all the time. I can’t even imagine having the security of being surrounded by family,” I said, picking a round white cookie out of the box. It was so pretty. The image of a snowman stood out on the top of the light cookie. I bit into it and wrinkled my nose. The pretty cookie was a trap. What was this? Licorice? What kind of person makes licorice cookies?
Ramsey laughed.
I glared at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said clutching his side. “It’s just you looked so betrayed. Some people like springerle biscuits.”
I washed the bite down with the last of my apple cider. “Normal people?”
Ramsey shook his head, trying and failing to contain his laughter. “Yes, normal people. Oh, God, that was brilliant.”
I looked at the other cookies, lying in the box all innocent and delicious looking. I didn’t trust them. “Are there any other surprise cookies in there?”
“No, I don’t think so. All normal respectable, wholesome Christmas biscuits,” he said.
I picked a shortbread cookie, something I was sure would be safe. I mean how could you mess up butter and sugar?
“Good choice, always go Scottish.”
“Maybe I want to get it out of the way,” I said biting the cookie in half. Perfect.
“Your face gives you away, you’re either very expressive or completely blank when you’re hiding something.” Ramsey stared at me, making me blush.
I ignored him. “So what’s in a mince pie?”
He grinned. “Dried fruit, sugar, spices, probably brandy. I did ask to make sure they are vegetarian.”
That sounded safe. I picked up one of the little pies, the top of the crust glazed with white icing. Sweetened spices flooded my mouth, followed by a tang of alcohol. “These are good. You might even be forgiven for the evil cookie.”
Ramsey shook his head and grabbed a pie for himself.
Once the pastry box was empty I patted my now rounded stomach. “I don’t think I can go on any more of the rides.”
“Come on,” Ramsey said gathering up the trash. “I have the perfect thing.”
* * *
“It’s beautiful.” The carnival was below us. Beyond that, modern buildings mixed with old, as cars darted down busy streets. The gray gloom was broken by colorful Christmas lights. I gasped and scooted closer to Ramsey when the Ferris wheel stopped.
He chuckled. “You loved the roller coasters, but stopping as they let people on the observation wheel scares you?”
“I can’t think on a roller coaster—it goes too fast,” I said, trying to sit still so the carriage wouldn’t swing.
“Oh well, I haven’t told you the best part about this ride yet.” Ramsey’s rough hand cupped my cheek and guided my face to his. He leaned close, his lips almost touching mine. “Snogging you senseless.”
My eyes fluttered closed as his lips caressed mine. I parted my lips and his tongue slid along mine. My hands tangled into his curls, and I relaxed into him. I squeaked as we began to move.
“See, best part of this ride,” Ramsey said.
I bit my lip and looked up at him through my lashes. “I don’t feel senseless.”
Ramsey evil grinned. “I didn’t say I was finished.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Fastest shower ever. My skin still tingled from where the hot water warmed up my cold fingers and toes. Wrapping my wet hair in a towel, I texted Anali.
—How do I need to dress for tonight?
Breathing in the gentle scent of lavender from my LUSH face moisturizer, I applied it as the sales lady taught me. Thanks to my Buffy Body Butter Bar I didn’t have to worry about lotion, and according to Ramsey, my skin felt soft and smelled lovely, so I’m calling both keepers. I’d have to thank Miu again for taking me there.
—Nice but not super dressy. Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?
I sighed.
—Sure, no problem.
Throwing on a new pair of jeans and a purple blouse, I shoved my feet into black ankle high boots and turned the blow dryer on to high. It would take until it was time to leave to get my hair even partially dry.
“Sapphire,” called Anali. “Are you ready?”
“Sure, let me grab my stuff. Are you sure you’re feeling well enough?” It’s not that I didn’t want to go, but I was honestly shocked that we were.
“Yes, I’ve been feeling much better. The midwife came by and checked me again earlier today. The baby and I are fine. And as she said, the less stressed I am the better I feel.” Anali wore a golden yellow salwar kameez and a fuzzy gray shawl that looked big enough to be a small blanket. “Well, come on. We have a sixteenth birthday to celebrate!”
“Okay, okay. I’m coming.” I slid my coat on and grabbed my cowl and bag. “So where are we going?”
“No spoilers,” Gavin said. “There’s a car waiting for us downstairs.”
“Tell us all about your day,” Anali said, once we were driving to the mysterious place.
“Well, Ramsey took me out to breakfast and then to Hyde Park for their Winter Wonderland Carnival.” I focused on the view outside trying to ignore my hot cheeks.
“Oh, how fun!” Anali said. “We are going to go right?” she asked Gavin.
“Yes, I was planning on going Thursday night, since we have it off,” Gavin said. “I thought we could all go.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to see it lit up at night,” I said, turning to Anali and Gavin. “I mean it was super cute today with all the decorations and such, but I bet it's lovely at night.”
“Well,” said Anali. “If Ramsey isn’t doing anything maybe he’d like to join us.”
“Really?” I looked at Gavin who sighed, and I was pretty sure he wanted to object but nodded instead. “I’ll ask him. Thanks.”
The car slowed in front of a row of houses and stopp
ed in front of one painted a soft sky blue with white trim.
“Go on,” said Gavin.
I got out of the car. Filling the front two windows on the bottom floor was a tree decked out with white lights and white, glass, and silver ornaments. On the front door hung a wreath of fresh pine boughs. Gavin helped Anali up the steps and rang the bell.
A moment later the large white door opened and a man stood in the doorway, his bald head glowing in the bright light. “Good evening Mr. Marsh, Mrs. Marsh. Everything is as you requested.”
“Thank you, Simmons. Sapphire, this is Eric Simmons, the butler.”
I held out my hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Simmons.”
“Miss Rayner, it is a delight to meet you again. You were six months old when your parents brought you to see Mr. and Mrs. Rayner.” Simmons let go of my hand and stepped back, letting us in. “I took care of your father when he was a boy. He was a fine young man. And while I only met your mother a few times, I could tell she was a lovely lady.”
I blinked back tears. “Thank you. So, wait, did my dad grow up here?”
“Certainty Miss, may I welcome you to Rayner House.”
I stepped inside. My boots echoed on the cream-colored marble tiles. The walls were painted a deep burgundy, and paintings hung on the walls. A few feet down, a staircase started. The hallway in front of us showed more art and doors, and to the right a room with a fire crackling merrily beckoned us to enter and admire even more pictures on the mantelpiece.
“Normally the family photos are carefully stored when the house is being let, but I brought them out for you,” Simmons said.
The tree filled the window. Several chairs and loveseats, covered in beige fabric with pink and white flowers, were set in a circle around a coffee table facing the fireplace. I slid between them to look at the pictures. My grandparents, lines and gray hair marking their age, sat with bright smiles holding a fat baby boy. Pictures from my dad’s school, birthday parties, family trips, and more family portraits filled every available space. On the end, my grandparents, now with white and silver hair, held a fat baby with brown hair that stuck up. On either side of them sat my parents. I picked up the photo. “This was me?”
“Yes, Miss,” said Simmons. “Mrs. Rayner called the photographer the minute she knew your parents were bringing you to visit. Mr. Rayner was having heart problems and couldn’t travel to visit you, I’m afraid.”
I set the photo down and wiped away my tears.
“I’ll go check on dinner.” Simmons left, shutting the door without a sound.
“I didn’t even know my dad was English,” I whispered.
“I know,” Gavin said standing next to me. “We never really talk about your parents. The books all said to let you ask first, so I’ve been waiting. I hope this isn’t a bad surprise. Once I realized we’d be here for your birthday, it seemed perfect.”
“No, it’s great, I’m just a bit surprised. How long are the renters going to be gone? I’d love to look around.”
“This is a vacation rental only. No one lives here full time except for Simmons and Parker, the cook. I have it for the rest of the time we are here. We can even stay here if you want,” Gavin said.
“Oh. Can I think about it?”
“Of course you can, and while you’re doing that, we do have one other surprise for you,” Anali said.
Gavin grinned. “I’ll be right back.”
“Sapphire!” My vision was filled with pink lace and dark brown curls.
“Shante?” I held her tight. “When? How?”
“We came yesterday, and we spent the night in this fancy house, and I wanted to see you, but they said I was your birthday surprise, and I had to wait, and mommy made me a new dress for tonight,” she said in one breath.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you so much.” I buried my face in her hair, trying to hide my tears. I was so sure I’d never see her again once I left the group home. “Let me see your new dress.”
Shante grinned, showing her missing top teeth, and twirled. She looked like cotton candy.
“It’s a beautiful dress,” I said taking her hand. Her skin was darker than mine, a mix of African-American and Mexican, which is also where her thin sausage curls came from.
“Happy birthday, Sapphire,” Cordelia said, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. Her skin was pale and sun kissed, her hair golden blond, and she wore a lavender dress. She looked warm and inviting and everything I’d hoped for Shante.
“Thank you, and thank you for coming here and bringing Shante,” I said.
“You’re welcome, but I must admit it wasn’t entirely selfless. I’m so happy to be able to spend Christmas with both of my children.” Cordelia held out her hand and Taliesin came in from the hallway. He took his mother’s hand, his milk white skin and hair looking icy next to her warmth.
“I have a Big Brother now,” Shante said and ran over to him. Taliesin scooped her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
Taliesin smiled. “The best Big Brother ever.”
Shante rolled her eyes.
“What,” he said. “You don’t think I’m going to be the best Big Brother ever?” Holding up his free hand Taliesin began to wiggle his long fingers then attacked.
Shante squealed with laughter.
“Tell me I’m the best Big Brother ever,” Taliesin said his loose white hair falling onto Shante’s face making her giggle ever more.
“You’re an okay, Big Brother,” she said, breathless.
“What? Just okay?” He tickled her tummy.
“Okay, I give. You’re the best Big Brother ever.”
“I knew you’d see things my way.” Taliesin adjusted Shante so she was upright. “Happy birthday, Sapphire.”
They looked so cute together, like a prince and princess of a royal family in a fantasy/ sci-fy novel where one would rule the night and the other the day. “Thanks. Have you spent the day here?”
He nodded and Cordelia reached out and rubbed his arm, her warm blue eyes soft and watery as she looked at her children.
“Dinner is ready sir,” Simmons said.
I jumped. Where had he come from?
“Great.” Gavin held his arm out for Anali and Cordelia. “Taliesin, will you please escort Shante and Sapphire?”
Taliesin held out an arm for me to take. Shante wrapped her arms around Taliesin’s neck.
“The food here is so yummy!” Shante said. “And Mr. Parker, the cook, is super nice.”
“You like him because he keeps giving you cookies,” Taliesin said.
Shante sniffed. “Biscuits—they call them biscuits here.”
“You are so clever,” said a middle-aged Chinese man. His short hair was covered by a white cook’s hat and his white cook’s uniform was spotless. I doubted he actually cooked in it. I bet he changed before bringing up the food. “Come and sit. I have dinner ready.”
Shante clapped as Taliesin set her down and helped her into her booster seat. A year ago, I would have been the one helping her. Taliesin sat her right next to his mother. “Sapphire sit here,” Shante said patting the chair on the left.
I sat down, laying the white cloth napkin across my lap.
“Tonight I have prepared a salad of mixed baby greens, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and raspberry vinaigrette,” Parker began as he and Simmons set the salads in front of us. “The main course is fettuccine alfredo, garlic bread, and steamed broccoli with lemon butter.”
“Thank you,” said Gavin.
“It looks lovely,” Anali said.
The rest of us agreed and began to eat.
“I like salad,” Shante said, her mouth full. She held her hand up trying to cover it. I guess Cordelia was teaching her some manners.
“Me too. How was your flight over?” I asked.
“It was scary at first, ’cause I never been in a plane before,” said Shante. “But Mommy brought lots for me to do, and I slept for a
while.”
Cordelia smiled at Shante. “I’m glad that’s how you remember it. It was long, good overall, but very, very long.”
“How long are you visiting?” I asked.
“We’ll be here until New Year’s,” Cordelia said. “I brought all the new costumes, so I’ll be doing fittings and making adjustments.”
“And we get to go to the ballet,” Shante said. “We’re going to see the Nutcracker. I got to be a super plum fairy when my ballet school did the Nutcracker. Mommy said I was the best one.”
“Well,” Cordelia said with a smile, “it was true you were the best one, but you were a sugar plum fairy, not a super plum fairy.”
I smiled. It was obvious they loved each other.
Anali placed her hand on her stomach while gazing at Cordelia and Shante. Gavin wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
“It’s true,” Taliesin said. “I saw the video, and you were definitely the best sugar plum fairy.”
I looked away from the two happy families. Is there anything more lonely than feeling alone in a room full of people?
“We all get to go see the Nutcracker,” Anali said. Her eyes found mine and crinkled as she frowned. “We’re going to day after Christmas.”
Simmons took away our empty salad plates while Mr. Parker set out dinner plates. My mouth watered at the smell of garlic, butter, and cheese. Focus on the food.
“And we get to be here for Christmas,” Shante said. “I left a note for Santa at our house, because I told him my new address before I knew we were coming here. You don’t think he’ll forget me again, do you?”
“Of course not,” I said quickly, feeling sadness emanating from the others. “I bet one of Santa’s elves made a mistake that year.”
Shante giggled. “I remember you said an elf must have eaten too many cookies and was in bed with a tummy ache and it was his job to put my gifts in the sleigh and that’s why Santa forgot me. But he came last year.”
“And he’ll come this year,” Taliesin said. “I wrote him and told him where you would be as soon as mom said you were coming to visit.”
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