SUSAN MEIER - Merry Christmas, Daddy

Knowing this idea was really passé, and not knowing Kassandra’s feelings on the subject, Gabe held his breath. Still not contradicting, Kassandra only smiled.

“Oh, my goodness,” Emma said, then laughed noisily. “I just thought of something else. Once you change her name, she’ll be Candy Cayne.”

“Isn’t that adorable!” Loretta gasped.

Sam, Gabe and Kassandra all winced.

“Sounds like a stripper,” Sam muttered, shaking his head.

Kassandra said, “All I can picture is Candy getting teased through most of her school years.” She turned and smiled at Gabe. “Maybe we’d better give this another thought.”

“I think I would,” Sam agreed just as the maid arrived with dinner. Emma handed the baby to Loretta, who slid her into her high chair. “I’m more interested in hearing about Kassandra’s schooling. Do you go full-time?”

“Part-time. I can’t afford to go full-time.”

Taking her seat, Emma smiled shrewdly. “All the more reason for you to get married now. Then you’d be able to afford to be full-time because your husband would be responsible for your tuition.”

Unexpectedly, Kassandra laughed. “Don’t you think that’s a little bit inconsistent? I’m getting an education because I want to be my own person. Marrying a man to get my independence is almost paradoxical.”

“I say it’s common sense,” Emma said primly. “In my day…”

Candy let out a yelp, and Loretta, Sam and Emma all jumped to their feet.

“She’s just anxious,” Kassandra told Loretta with a chuckle. “She’s a very healthy eater and a fast eater. She wants you to speed things up.”

“Oh, I’m making you mad,” Loretta cooed to the baby. “Well, we’ll just go faster, then.”

Gabe watched the way his mother fawned over Candy, feeding her, tickling her, teasing her, and realized he’d never seen his mother like this. She was so happy she was buoyant.

“Give her a bite of the peas,” Sam said, and Gabe switched his attention to his father. He’d also never seen his father like this. Hell, he didn’t even know his father liked kids….

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