Blake tilted his head back, eyes sparkling as he gazed up at the huge Calder Corporation sign atop the building. He tugged at his sister's sleeve, pointing eagerly. "Daddy's here!"

Mr. Calder was caught up in work, but the moment he saw his two little treasures heading his way, he stopped everything.

"Daddy!" "Dad!" The kids' voices rang out together, and the lines on Mr. Calder's face softened into a wide, joyful smile.

"Where's your mom?" he asked, scooping up his son and glancing at his daughter.

Anya answered, "Mom and Auntie went shopping. She said Blake had to stay home and play with me."

At eight that evening, Anya's phone lit up-it was Leo. He was home.

Only then did Mr. and Mrs. Calder realize Leo had slipped out without a word.

Leo had gone home, only to find the house empty and cold. He turned right back around and headed for the office.

Molly showing up at the fire station with their son in her arms just to catch a glimpse

"Molly?"

are you planning to move in

of them grabbed lunch at a little diner nearby—

back to the old house and get it ready for the holidays," Molly explained. "You and Dad are both swamped,

took her son back to the Byrne

holidays, Coleen and Molly packed the car with gifts and enough meat to feed an army, loading up Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer for the long drive back

snoozed most of

the rounds, dropping off gifts to neighbors and relatives—part thank you for keeping an eye

old Byrne homestead was

the men around, the

a cloud of dust into the air. She held her

laugh. "You never did any chores

dust

slipped a little mask onto her son, then started cleaning again, muttering, "Mom, I'm the Cedillo family's princess, a proper lady of

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