Her gaze floats to the cookies, iced and decorated, drying on the cooling racks, and then to the feast she’s in the process of preparing for dinner.
“There is another option,” I begin, sliding my hands into the back pockets of her jeans, pulling her hips into mine.
“We could stay."
“Yeah, you could stay. I just talked to Rowdy. He and Bailey are driving up tonight to beat the storm, and he said he’d be more than happy to swing by your house and grab the presents you bought for the girls if you decide to stay and celebrate Christmas with us.”
She nibbles on her bottom lip, like she often does when she’s worried or thinking hard. “He could use the garage code to get inside the house. We’re supposed to have Christmas dinner with Laura’s family, but I’m sure she’ll understand.”
I nod, hoping she’ll choose to stay. Her SUV doesn’t have snow tires or four-wheel drive, so I’d rather she didn't risk driving in inclement weather.
“You wouldn’t mind if we intruded on your Christmas plans?”
“You’re never intruding, baby. Having you and the girls here would make my Christmas. Knowing the three of you were safe under my roof would give me peace of mind.” With my fingers, I brush a lock of blonde hair behind Annabelle’s ear. “But I should warn you that Dumb and Dumber are coming up tonight, too.”
“Dumb and Dumber?”
“James and Josh, your ex-boyfriend,” I reply with a wry smile.
Annabelle laughs. “Josh is Dumber?”
“Most definitely.”
“You love your nicknames, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Then how come you didn’t give Rowdy a nickname?” Hayes watches me, waiting. And then it hits me. “Rowdy is his nickname.”
“His real name is Ralph, but don’t let on that you know. That is classified information.”
“One day, I’ll come up with a good one for you, you know.”
“So you keep saying. I’ll believe it when I hear it, Jeopardy.” I shift my weight on my feet, my smile slipping a little. “Umm, there’s one other thing I probably should’ve run by you before doing it, but… I did it, anyway.”
“Hayes, what did you do?”
“Nothing bad, I swear. I know we agreed not to exchange gifts between us this year, but I… well, I bought the girls some Christmas presents. I hope that was okay to do.”
“Oh, Hayes. That's sweet. Thank you.” A bright smile breaks out on Annabelle’s face. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
I lean down, intending to kiss Annabelle, when I hear Claire’s high-pitched voice ring out. I spring backward as Annabelle gives me a shove.
“Mama, have you seen Willow?”
“Not lately, Claire Bear.”
Or ever,I think with a grin. “We’ll let you know if we find your turtle before you do, Claire.”
“Thanks, Wusty!”
“Hey Claire, will you bring your sister in here, please? I have something I need to tell you both,” Annabelle says.
After Claire runs off to find Grace, I turn to Annabelle and murmur, “Didn’t take much arm-twisting to convince you to stay.”
“No, it didn’t.” She smiles, seeming at peace with the change in plans.
“Yo! We've got a problem, Hayes!” Josh hollers from the front of the house a few hours later.
