Christmas with the Steeles

Prologue

The three women who were part of the decoration committee, glanced around the grand lodge room, admiring the huge stone fireplace, high cathedral ceiling, and a wall-to-wall window that provided a stunning view of the mountains and the lake.

The room was massive enough to hold the three hundred invited guests easily.

Balloons had been delivered earlier, and so had the streamers and banners.

Since this would be a New Year’s Eve party, in addition to an anniversary celebration, party favors had been placed on the tables, as well as noise-makers to ring in the New Year.

“Everything looks great,” Brittany Steele said, smiling.

“Now, we just have to roll up our sleeves and help Kylie with the flowers.” Kylie was married to Chance Steele and owned several florist shops in Charlotte.

She was a pro when it came to floral and would arrange the centerpieces for the tables tonight.

For the past hour, the three women had been going from table to table, marking the bottom of one chair.

Before the end of the night, the person sitting in each of the marked chairs would take the beautiful centerpiece home as a gift.

“Where is Kylie?” Vanessa Steele Cody asked, checking her watch. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen her for a while.”

“She texted earlier to say she’s on her way. She’s in Tiffany’s room talking to her. I hope Tiffy is alright. Breakups are hard,” Stacy Steele said.

“Well, we’re all here to give her our love and support. We’ve all suffered our share of heartbreak a time or two before finding our true love,” Vanessa said.

“You’re right about that,” Stacy agreed. “Hey, there’s Kylie now.”

Kylie approached them. “Sorry I’m late.”

“No problem,” Vanessa said. “How’s Tiffy?”

Kylie released a deep sigh. “A lot better today than she was yesterday. Lena is with her now.” Lena Spears Steele was Kylie’s best friend and Tiffany’s godmother.

Needing to focus on something other than her daughter’s heartbreak, Kylie said, “I can’t wait to see the look on Drew and Eden’s faces tonight. ”

“Me, too,” Vanessa said, excitedly.

“Does anyone know the full story of how they met?” Kylie asked. “I’d love to hear it while we’re arranging the centerpieces.”

“Stacy and I both know it,” Brittany said. She was married to Drew and Eden’s oldest son, Galen. And Stacy was married to their third-oldest son, Elijah Steele ─Eli for short.

“Eden made sure her daughters-in-law knew the whole story, and not just the parts her sons wanted to tell us,” Stacy said, grinning.

“Then please share it,” Kylie said. “I need to hear about something that ends happily for a change.”

“That’s a great idea,” Vanessa said. “Over the years, I’ve only heard bits and pieces. I would love to hear the full story.”

Brittany smiled. “Okay. Stacy and I will take turns telling it. We’ll also let you know how we managed to pull a fast one over on them about tonight’s surprise anniversary celebration in their honor. They don’t suspect a thing.”