We double-check everything. When we’re done, I exhale in relief. “It looks like we should be about ten over on candy bags and gifts.”
“What I would like us to do is triple that,” Niko says.
“That’s not?—”
He lifts a hand, stopping my protest. “When I was a kid, my cousins would join us for events such as this. No oneever accounted for the extra children—we just assumed. Guests come with families, Wynter. People visit during the holidays. We should prepare for that. Better to have too many than not enough. We already agreed, extra’s to the needy. A win-win.”
“I don’t have much left in the budget. And you already paid for extra toys and food boxes.”
“I like your little town.” He pauses, then adds, “You ever have a thought hit you so hard your heart says,that’s it!”
I snort-laugh. “You’ve watched me deal with those all day.”
“I like your town,” he repeats quietly. “It feels right. I’ve decided this is my last season competing. After this I want to settle down. I’ll always want to ski. I taught my brother, sister, and a few cousins. I think I’ll talk to the lodge about that instructor position tomorrow.”
“You’re kidding. You’ve been traveling the world for almost fifteen years. You’d really want to settle down here? In our little town?”
“Yes. I like snow. I have relatives in Albany. My family lives in Florida. I will never live in that heat.” He grins. “Besides they all ski. They’ll visit often.
“And…” His tone softens. “I like you. Maybe you’ll run for mayor next year and stay here too. I’d like that, very much.”
“Niko…”
“No worries,” he says, waving it off gently. “I just want you to know my plans, goals are changing.
“And I want to do something meaningful here. Growing up, my parents worked long hours. We weren’t always able to be with extended family for the holidays. Helping this town feels right to me. So please, let’s get the extras. For the children.”
I swallow, overwhelmed. “Alright. I got everything at Mal’s, she shares space in the coffee shop in town. I bought the first batch from her.”
“Good. Call her. Tell her a full re-order, whatever she has. Once you have the total for everything I asked you to add, I want to send you the funds tonight.”
“Nico, are you sure? I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”
He stands and circles the counter. Lifting my chin with his cupped hand, he smiles.
“Take advantage of me however you want,omorfiá mou.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Wha-what does that mean, what you called me?”
“My beauty.”
He leans forward and gently presses the softest kiss to my lips. “Make the order, go shower, and I will have dinner ready when you’re done.”
“Wait, the tree. We have to bring in the boxes from the shed for the cabin tree. I’ll help. There aren’t many. We use a fake tree when we can’t get here early enough to buy a potted Christmas tree that we plant later.”
CHAPTER 8
Niko
Together we get the tree assembled so it can settle into place, and then I send her off for her shower.
I pull the chicken from the refrigerator, sear it, place it in a pan with lemon, onion, potatoes—just like my mother taught me—before sliding it into the oven to finish. The rest of the vegetables will be added later.
My mother was the visionary. My father, ever practical, simply followed her lead, picking up the dropped pieces of her puzzles and fitting them neatly back into place. They started as a business arrangement, he the accountant, she the chef. He always said he loved her from the very first moment they met. It just took him a while to convince her.
Because he’s quiet and content to stand beside or behind her, some have called him pussy-whipped. She insists he’s her tower, her strength, and she’d be nothing without him.
I’ve had fame. I’ve had the hollow praise, the kind of praise for things that never really mattered. I will gladly be Wynter’s support system—her fallback net, her steady hands to catch whatever falls. Maybe one day, if our hearts allow it, I’ll be her everything. For now, I’m exactly where I want to be. Beside her.
