An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham Page B

found a way to work through school.”
    â€œJuilliard!” Stacy said.
    â€œJuilliard,” Mike repeated, frowning slightly, clearly taken off guard.
    â€œJuilliard is one of the most prestigious schools in the country, Bobby. I hope you make it!” Morwenna said, surprising herself with her readiness to step in for her brother.
    â€œI’ll know in the next few days,” Bobby said, sounding amazed by her enthusiasm. “I missed the usual auditions, and had to get a special audience with the music school, but somehow, believe it or not, they were chock-full of pianists and violinists, and a little light on those auditioning for guitar this year. So…I’ll know right after New Year’s.”
    â€œJuilliard,” Mike said again. He blinked. “Bobby, do you know how hard it is to make a living with a guitar? Every kid out there has one. Every kid dreams of being a rock star.”
    â€œMight as well dream big,” Bobby said. He glanced at his sister, silently thanking her for the support she had offered him.
    â€œIt’s not just a ‘rock star’ thing, Dad,” Morwenna said. “You just heard him play a Christmas carolthat was so beautiful, it made tears spring to the eyes.”
    â€œIt’s a hard, hard living, son,” Mike said.
    â€œI don’t mind working hard,” Bobby said.
    Morwenna glanced at Gabe; of course, he wasn’t a member of their family, and he hadn’t said a word. As she looked at him, though, she realized that he had known. Bobby had told him.
    Mike stood. “We can talk about this later,” he said.
    Bobby stood as well. “We can talk all you want, Dad, but my mind is made up. I know you want the best for me, and I respect that. But if I don’t make it into Juilliard, I’ll find another music academy or institute. I’m going for what I want. I’m not going to be Morwenna, brilliant—and languishing in business meetings!”
    â€œWhat?” Morwenna gasped. “Bobby, I have a great job—”
    â€œYes, you have a great job, and it should have given you a wonderful outlet for your work. But it didn’t. It turned you into corporate America, which would be just fine, if what you reallywanted was corporate America. You’re not that old, Morwenna. Actually, that wouldn’t even matter. You can start over at any time in life—you can start over and start drawing again. Anyway, sorry. I didn’t want to ruin Christmas for anyone. I’m going to head out and have a snowball fight with the kids like I promised.”
    Indignant, Morwenna watched him go. She blinked hard; she had a great job. She might know herself that corporate America hadn’t been her dream, but to the outside world, she had an enviable job. She had a great guy, Alex. This—this being home for the holidays—this was out of context.
    She looked at her parents. They still seemed to be in shock.
    Gabe stood up. “I think I’ll join in the snowball fight,” he said. He looked down at Morwenna and offered her a hand. “Are you coming?”
    â€œYes, I’m going to whack the sh—the stuffing out of Bobby,” she said. She headed out quickly, and Gabe followed her. At the door she slipped into her heavy parka and gloves, and burst outside, gathering up a handful of snow before she reachedthe yard. Connor and Genevieve had been using one of the high-growing pines as shelter against Bobby’s attacks. Morwenna headed straight for her brother with a big, wet, sloppy snowball.
    She creamed him.
    The kids, laughing delightedly, came from around the pines. Bobby was down in the snow, howling in protest and laughter, when Shayne came running out and pelted Morwenna. She stood, aimed back at him and hit Gabe in the chest.
    In a few minutes, they were rolling in the snow, all soaked and still tossing snow and laughing.
    Morwenna was vaguely aware of the crunch of