“Oh, Champ, I’m so sorry I was late.” He leanedback and searched Danny from head to toe. “Grandma’s car fell apart, and then as I was fixing it I ripped my pants, then on my way here I hit a patch of ice and skidded straight into the snowbank.” He sighed and his shoulders dropped. “Then I had to wait for Randy to come help pull me out, and he was insistent on trying this new gadget he made, and it took longer.” He pulled Danny into his chest for another hug.
“It’s okay.” Danny shrugged.
Adam knelt on the ground and looked at Danny’s face. “I know it makes you nervous when I’m late, and I told you I would be early, and I wasn’t here. I am so sorry.”
My heart melted as they hugged, Danny’s smile growing by the second. I bet Adam’s hugs would make anyone feel safe, not that I wanted him to hug me, it’s just his muscular arms would feel amazing. I shook my head and reminded myself I was staring, and I forced my gaze elsewhere.
Danny gasped. “Wait, is the truck broken? Can we still go get a Christmas tree?”
“The truck’s fine. I just got stuck.” Adam ruffled Danny’s hair.
“Phewf,” Danny added. “Ms. Faith said you wouldn’t leave me here, and she gave me cookies. You should try one, they are way better than Grandma’s.”
Adam chuckled, and his eyes met mine. They held such gratitude. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” I looked away from his intense gaze. “It wasn’t a big deal. I needed to stay late anyway.”
Adam looked at Danny. “It was a very big deal.” It came out so soft I could barely hear the words.
Danny left his arms, rushed over to the Tupperware, and grabbed the cookies for his dad, who had sat on the floor, the exhaustion evident in his features. Danny grabbed a cookie and handed it to his dad and Danny sat right next to him on the ground and grabbed another cookie for himself. Adam gave Danny a soft smile. “I had better ask Ms. Faithfirst, Champ.”
The boys peered at me with their kind eyes, and my heart swelled. “Please.” I nodded toward the cookie.
Adam stood and walked toward me. My hands shook so I clasped them together.
“I am so, so, so sorry about Danny not knowing where to go. But it means everything to me you were here for him and helped him feel safe. I owe you big time.” Adam closed the distance between us. The air around me heated.
Danny grinned widely. “Nice. What does she get?”
“I guess that is up to her.” Adam shrugged and raised his eyebrows as he looked at me.
My mouth went dry, and I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t ask for a hug. That would be weird. Right?
“Um,” I looked at the cookies. “I could really use some taste testers for my baking. I love to bake when I am stressed…like a lot, and my roommate is refusing to try my recipes anymore.” I sighed, hoping to convey the confidence I didn’t feel.
Adam raised an eyebrow and I watched him in what seemed like slow motion as he raised the cookie to his mouth. My heartbeat raced like a herd of second graders released for first recess.
I cleared my throat.
Maybe it was just anxiety?
Adam slowly chewed, not breaking eye contact. My throat went dry, and I reminded myself to breathe. His eyebrows raised as he went in for another bite and finished the cookie.
“Ms. Faith, that was amazing!” He held his hand in front of his mouth as he smiled. “I might be saying that because of a steady cookie diet of Chips Ahoy and my mother’s attempts…” He shrugged. “So maybe I am not the best judge, but I will happily eat anything you bake.”
My cheeks flushed and I spun my ring.
Danny stood up and grabbed Adam’s hand. “We can be your cookie testers!”
Adam quirked an eyebrow. “That just sounds like I owe you for two things now, Danny and cookies.”
“Nope, I’m good.” I put my hands up. “Honestly, I was happy to help.”
Danny clapped. “I know!” He grabbed his dad’s arm. “Ms. Faith has never picked out a mountain Christmas tree. She should come with us tomorrow.”
Oh boy, this was not what I envisioned. Yes, I wanted to try the tradition, but going with Adam and Danny would be a terrible idea. My heart and ovaries might never recover from seeing this sweet family in all the holiday magic.
“That’s so sweet, Danny. Thank you for thinking of me.” I placed my hand on my chest. “I really am good though.”
