Astrid said, “Wait. So you’re saying you’re on Red Oak Mountain at Sexy Santa’s house.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure it’s the same guy?”
I laughed quietly. “He’s pretty unforgettable. It’sdefinitelyhim.”
The worry in her voice carried through. “How do you know he didn’t set the whole thing up? Maybehebooked you and pretended it was his friends.”
“How could he anticipate a snowstorm? The gig was booked a few weeks ago. Plus, he’s not like that.”
I thought about what hewaslike.
Tex had that grumpy outer shell that he wore. But already even in the short amount of time I’d known him, I could see that hewas a caring man. He seemed genuinely concerned about my safety on the roads.
My intuition told me he was a good man.
“Astrid, I know it’s important to be careful. But that’s why I called to tell you where I am. I get a good feeling off him. I’m safe here.Promise.”
I could feel my friend ease even over the phone line. Then she shifted gears completely. “Well, in that case, are you going to fuck him?”
It was impossible to hold back my laugh. When I’d finally recovered myself I said, “If the opportunity presents itself I promise to hop right on his dick.”
“Good girl. That’s the spirit!”
Astrid, despite her own recent breakup, had been trying to get me to date again after Todd. Not that Tex wanted to date me.
But if he did… well, maybe that wouldn’t be a problem after all. I was starting to second guess my decision to write off men completely.
She laughed. “It sounds like you’re going to spend Christmas Eve together.”
It was tomorrow. “Yeah. Which is funny, because I’m stuck dressed like a Christmas elf and the man hates Christmas! Can you imagine what he must be thinking every time he looks at me?”
“I’ve seen your elf getup. He’s probably trying to figure out how to fuck you in that costume. It shows all your curves.”
I looked in the mirror, wondering if she was right. Then noticed that my hair had gone in four different directions since I’d last seen my hairbrush.
I hopped off the phone and tried to do something about it, finger-combing it back into submission.
Then I walked back out to his living room, trying to act casual.
“Everything good with work?” Tex asked, looking up from a project he was tinkering with at his kitchen table.
“Yeah. They said it was fine as long as I get back by Christmas. That’s when the big rush will hit. Everyone eats out on holidays. My bank account on the other hand…”
“I already offered to pay.”
That earned a fast headshake from me. “No, sir. Absolutely not.” I walked over and plopped down in the kitchen chair across from him. “What are you doing?”
“Fixing Sally’s harness for Rod. One of the leather straps gave out.”
“Sally. That’s the horse?”
Tex glanced up at me, his dark eyes assessing me carefully. “Yup.”
“Who’s Rod?”
His eyes never left my face. “He owns the Santa sleigh ride business. He’s my uncle.”
