Briony was caught off guard.


    She''d thought that on their first New Year''s together as a family, Stewart would


    make it a priority.


    He''d said he was busy... but on New Year''s Eve, there was no way he was caught


    up with work.


    It had to be something personal.


    Briony felt a pang of suspicion, but decided not to press him further.


    "All right, let''s eat," she said, taking the hands of her two children and leading


    them to the dining table.


    Carol watched the kids and couldn''t shake her unease.


    She was certain she''d heard a child calling "Daddy" during the phone call earlier.


    Carol''s thoughts immediately turned to Irwin Wentworth.


    On a night meant for family, why would Mr. Wentworth not be here with his


    children? Was he spending time with Irwin again?


    If that was the case, he was making a terrible mistake.


    But it was only Carol''s suspicion.


    She didn''t dare bring it up to Briony, afraid she might have misheard, and worried


    that stirring the pot would undo the fragile peace that had finally settled between


    the couple.


    Carol sighed inwardly.


    She could only hope she''d gotten it wrong.


    During dinner, Little Nina was still thinking of her dad.


    "Mommy, where''s Daddy?" she asked.


    Briony scooped a dumpling and ced it gently in her daughter''s bowl. "Daddy


    has something to take care of. He''ll be home a littleter to spend time with you


    two."


    "But my teacher said everyone gets New Year''s off, and every family should be


    together," Little Nina protested, lips pursed in indignation. "Daddy can''t be busy


    with work. Did he sneak off to spend the holiday with someone else?"


    Briony paused, taken aback.


    Little Nina was no fool; she was innocent but sharp.


    This New Year''s meant more to her than ever before.


    Just that afternoon, before her nap, she''d been giddy, saying how happy she was


    to have both Mommy and Daddy around for New Year''s.


    But now, with Stewart missing from the table, the disappointment on her face was


    in to see.


    Briony''s heart ached. She reached out and stroked her daughter''s hair. "Daddy


    isn''t with anyone else, sweetheart. He just had somethinge up—"


    She didn''t even finish the sentence before the sound of a car pulling up outside


    interrupted her.


    Little Nina''s eyes shone. "That must be Daddy!"


    Before Briony could react, Little Nina and little Mario had already scrambled off


    their chairs, two tiny figures racing each other to the front door.


    They barely made it to the entryway when they saw that tall, familiar figure


    stepping out of the car.


    Stewart''s long legs carried him up the path, his ck coat billowing with each


    stride.


    "Daddy!" "Daddy!" The kids'' voices rang out as they dashed toward him.


    Briony stepped out of the dining room, pausing at the hallway to watch Stewart


    crouch down and sweep both kids into his arms.


    "Daddy, where were you? You''re so


    around his neck, delighted but still


    pouting. "I thought you ran off to


    spend New Year''s with someone


    else!"


    Stewart smiled helplessly. "I''m sorry. Daddy''ste."


    "Daddy, did you eat?" little Mario asked. "We just started dinner."


    "Not yet," Stewart said, picking up one child in each arm as he walked inside.


    Once they were in the foyer, he set them down and ruffled their hair. "Go get


    settled; Daddy just needs to change his shoes and I''ll join you."


    The children nodded eagerly and scampered off to the dining room.


    Stewart took his slippers from the shoe cab and changed out of his boots.


    Briony stood nearby, watching him.


    Once he was done, he straightened up and met her gaze.


    "Carol said you weren''ting for New Year''s dinner," Briony said quietly.


    Stewart pressed his lips together, hesitated, then said, "I was alwaysing


    home. I just didn''t want everyone waiting around for me if I was going to bete."


    So that was it.


    Briony didn''t want to see the children disappointed again.


    After a moment, she asked, "Are you going to be busy the next few days too?"


    Stewart didn''t hide the truth. "From New Year''s Day through next week, I''ll


    probably need to head out every day."


    Briony frowned. "Is it work?"


    "Not exactly. It''s personal," Stewart admitted, catching the worry in her eyes. "I


    promise, I''ll manage my time and make sure to be with the kids as much as I can."


    Since he said it was personal, Briony didn''t pry further.


    "I understand you''re busy, but the


    kids are still young, and they don''t


    always get it. This is Little Nina''s


    first New Year''s with her dad-she''s


    been looking forward to it. Just


    make sure you talk to them in


    advance."


    "I will. I''ll let them know ahead of time."


    Briony hesitated, then added, "Why


    don''t you stay over tonight? The kids


    want to stay up for New Year''s, and


    by the time it''s over it''ll be the middle


    of the night. Driving home in the


    snow wouldn''t be safe."


    Stewart looked at her, eyes dark and thoughtful. "Okay."


    Dinnersted until eight o''clock.


    Outside, fireworks began bursting in a riot of color across the country.


    This year, Stewart had nned ahead.


    He''d spent half a million dors on a private fireworks show along the banks of


    Pearbrook, set to go off at midnight on the dot.


    For days, the digital billboards in Northborough had been hyping up the event.


    No wonder Pearbrook was busier than ever this New Year''s Eve everyone


    wanted to be part of the celebration.