Page 133 of Faultlines

Lucy offers a polite smile. Before she can say anything else, Daniel turns back to me.

“Claire, I’ve been meaning to reach out. I have a few ideas for a partnership between Juniper House and Mercer Development. I’ve been traveling so much that I haven’t had the chance, but I was wondering if you’d be interested in having dinner with me one evening so we could talk through them.”

I blink, caught off guard.

“Strictly business,” he adds with an easy smile. “If you’d prefer we can meet over lunch.”

I stare at him for so long that Lucy finally nudges me with her elbow, pulling me out of my stupor.

Daniel raises both hands with an apologetic smile. “As colleagues, of course. Just a friendly dinner to discuss the partnership.”

“Of course.” I clear my throat. “Call the office and we’ll find a time.”

“Perfect. I appreciate it. Have a wonderful evening, both of you.”

With that, he disappears into the crowd. I watch him go, lost in thought.

“That was unexpected,” Lucy says.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

UNSTEADY GROUND

Ethan

Have you decided on Christmas plans yet?

Her response appears almost instantly.

Claire: We’re doing Christmas Eve at the ranch, like we always do. Everyone will be there. You’re welcome to come if you’d like. I think it would mean a lot to Ellie. I was thinking she could go home with you afterward, and then I could come by Christmas morning to watch her open presents. If that works for you.

I remind myself that it’s more than I expected.

I’d love to come. Will your dad be cleaning his shotgun?

A beat passes before her reply.

Claire: You never know. I guess you’ll have to take your chances.

On Christmas Eve, the ranch is decorated with white lights wrapped around every fence post—I still don’t know how Jensen manages it year after year.

The cold stings my cheeks as I step out of the truck carrying a stack of presents.

Inside, the house smells of cinnamon and roasted turkey. Garland hangs from every exposed beam, and a large Christmas tree stands beside the stone hearth. From the sound of the voices, everyone has already arrived.

As I carry presents into the living room the first person I notice is Claire. She stands near the fireplace, wearing a simple sweater and jeans, a glass of amber liquor in her hand.

Like every year, the evening ends with a chaotic game of charades. Sloane throws herself into it as soon as the first card is read.

At one point, her attempt to perform The Grinch looks more like she’s being attacked by a swarm of angry bees. Another round involves the movie Frozen, and she throws her arms in a dramatic flourish to mimic a gust of icy wind.

As the evening winds down and I gather my things, Peter catches my eye, his expression is unreadable. “I’ll walk you out.”

Before following me, he turns to Claire. “Don’t send Ellie out until I come back.”

Claire answers quietly. I catch the edge of their exchange, but I’m too far away to make out the words.

I pull on my heavy winter coat and wish everyone a Merry Christmas before stepping outside. He follows, closing the door behind us. The cold hits immediately, and a gust of wind sweeps across the yard. He slips his hands into his coat pockets.