Grandma beamed. "What a lovely outfit! So festive! And look-Roseanne''s wearing a red sweater today too. You and your sister really are on the same wavelength!"


    Corley nced over at Roseanne. She wasn''t just wearing a red sweater, but had also wrapped a white scarf around her neck. The red and white looked striking together-like holly berries against fresh snow-and it was impossible not to notice her.


    Grandma noticed his gaze and couldn''t resist a hint of pride. "Well? Doesn''t Anne look beautiful dressed like that?"


    Corley nodded calmly, his expression giving nothing away. "Yeah. She looks nice."


    His tone was even, as if merely echoing Grandma''s words-no one could read anything into it.


    He walked over to the coffee table. "Are we getting the gifts ready?"


    Grandpa didn''t stand on ceremony, waving him over. "Don''t just stand there-e help us out."


    "Sure." Corley rolled up his sleeves and crouched down beside Roseanne.


    With him joining in, everything sped up considerably.


    Before long, all the gifts were wrapped, ribbons scattered in a heap, reced by a row of beautifully decorated boxes.


    ...


    By six o''clock, night had fallenpletely.


    At some point, snow had started drifting down outside, kes tumbling softly to the ground.


    Inside, the firece zed and the radiators hummed, the house decked out in red and gold, warm and lively—a world apart from the wintry darkness beyond the windows.


    Outside, the wind howled; inside,ughter and chatter filled the air.


    "Last dishing up! Dinner''s almost ready!" Grandma emerged from the kitchen, grinning as she made the announcement.


    Everyone sprang into action.


    tes and silverware were set out, chairs pulled up, wine sses fetched- everyone doing their part.


    As the final dish was ced on the table and the family gathered, ready to dig in


    The doorbell rang.


    Roseanne was the first on her feet. "I''ll get it!"


    Grandma couldn''t help frowning, muttering under her breath, "Honestly, whoes visiting at


    ertime on New Year''s Eve? Don''t they know it''s a family dinner?"


    The door swung open, and a woman''s cheerful voice floated in-


    "Anne, happy New Year!"


    That voice...


    Corley''s smile faltered for a second.


    Before Grandpa and Grandma could react, the visitors had already swept into the living room.


    "Mom, Dad, Teague and I came to celebrate New Year''s with you."


    Kathleen Rodriguez was wearing a red coat, her hair carefully styled and pinned up—she looked energetic and sharp.


    Beside her was her husband,


    Teague, dressed in a crisp suit, tall and upright, his hands full of bags and packages. He followed her lead, offering a greeting. "Happy New Year, Mom. Happy New Year, Dad."


    As he spoke, his eyesnded on Madge''s face, then flickered to Norris standing at her side.


    "Madge. And...brother-inw," he managed after a slight hesitation, the words sounding a bit awkward, but he got them out all the same. "Happy New Year."


    Norris sprang to his feet, grinning. "Happy New Year! Happy New Year!"


    He was still wearing an apron,


    sleeves rolled up, andpared to Teague''s formal suit, he looked


    incredibly ordinary. Ordinary enough


    vef


    that hedidn''t really seem like someone who belonged at a Rodriguez family gathering, much less sitting at their table.


    And yet, here he was.


    Geneva called out, "Norris, sit down! No need to stand-don''t be so formal, you''re family."


    "Mom, I just wanted to say hi to my brother-inw. Last time we met at Pinehollow


    it was so quick, we didn''t even get to talk."


    Madge raised her eyebrows slightly at that, ncing up at Norris.


    He caught her look instantly, giving her a reassuring nce as if to say he


    wouldn''t cause any trouble.


    Madge rolled her eyes. Who ever said you would?


    Honestly...