“I appreciate you.” He did. But this— Well, this thing with Ichabod was something he’d never be more sure of. He’d never been in love before now. Not a grown-up, I-could-do-this-for-life love.
“Good deal. I like the house, son. I like it a lot.” Dad finished his beer with a sigh. “You mind if I take my old ass to bed? I have the feeling tomorrow will be busy.”
“Not one bit. You were a cookie-making fool today.” And his dad insisted on working with the animals, seeing his horses and herd. “You get cold or need anything, you holler. We’ll be up a bit still doing the jolly elf.”
“Better tonight than tomorrow night, right? Tomorrownight everybody will be excited, and you’ll be bouncing little ones back into their beds like wild things.”
“You know it.” He couldn’t wait. He’d never had a Christmas with little kids like this, and he was so ready to see Chrissy and Allie and even Michael when they got their presents. He was excited for Zane too, but he had a feeling Zane knew what was coming. The little SUV was old enough to have some metal in it, new enough to have some bells and whistles, and immaculately clean on the inside, even if the outside paint job had a few weird little scrapes on it. One way or the other, it was going to be a good little car in the snow.
“Yeah, tomorrow, though, is about Christmas Eve — carols, having snacks, and talking about what’s gonna happen in the morning. I’m looking forward to it. I like having grandbabies. I like it a lot.”
“I’m glad, old man.” They both stood and he gave his dad a hard hug, then he took the beer bottle so he could put it in the sink. “Good night, Dad. You remember where your room is?”
“I do. I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll start our Christmas Eve preparations.” Dad gave him a smile. “I love you, son.”
“I love you too.” He walked his dad as far as the hall, then went to wash up some in the kitchen and wait for Ichabod. He’d given goodnight kisses already.
Ichabod came wandering in, leaned down and kissed his cheek. “You want a cup of coffee or a cup of cocoa? How’s your daddy? Did he go to bed already?”
“Yeah. He was wore.” He grinned, kissing Ichabod on the mouth in return. “I think I’ll skip more sugar and caffeine right now. But I would have a root beer or another beer with you.”
“Oh, I could totally have a beer with you. I’ll grab acouple. You want to stay in here, you want to go sit in the bedroom?”
“Let’s go to the bedroom. We can snuggle. Maybe get up early tomorrow and work on the few things we have left to do.” He beamed at Ichabod, loving that idea.
“It sounds perfect to me.” Ichabod grabbed two bottles and popped the tops. “Your dad having a good time? The kids sure like him.”
“He’s really liking it here.” Of course, he’d also said Ichabod just wasn’t that into him. Or something in not so many words.
“I’m glad, I want him to be happy here.” Ichabod gave him a quick glance. “You want me to grab any cookies on our way out?”
“Yeah. I’ll meet you there. I’ll get the gas log on and the covers fluffed.” He winked, then headed to the bedroom after checking the doors.
They got into the bedroom, where Ichabod was stripping down to his pajama pants, pulling the blankets back. As soon as he shut the door and locked it, Ichabod glanced at him. “Are we okay? Is your dad upset?”
“Huh? No. No, it’s fine. He was giving me the same talk Brian gave you, but we’re good. I told him what was what.” Ellis had meant every word.
“The it’s-too-quick-you’re-not-ready-you-don’t-know-your-own-goddamn-brain talk?” Ichabod rolled his eyes, “It’s not too quick, I know my own brain. I’m in love with you. And I’m ready. Fair?”
He reached up to touch Ichabod’s cheek. “Fair. The only people I need to weigh in on this is you and the kids.”
“The kids like you. Hell, the kids love you. And so do I. It’s going to be okay.” Ichabod grinned. “You know how long I waited after Chris was gone to even think about coming alive again?”
“I do. I’m glad you chose me, honey. I really am.” He was grinning now, and he couldn’t seem to stop. Ichabod was fighting his dad in absentia, or whatever.
“I know that four years doesn’t sound like long, but it was forever. It was sixth grade, seventh grade, eighth grade, ninth grade for Zane. I mean, just think. Chrissy wasn’t even born yet. It was every diaper, all the endless nights. Allie was still wetting the bed three nights out of seven, and Michael was old enough to know he missed his dad and young enough to not have any idea what to do. I paid my dues missing him.”
He tugged Ichabod down on the bed once they’d both changed, then he pulled his lover against him and covered them.
“I hear you, baby. I think Dad worries I might be wanting the ranch and family so bad I’m rushing it. But I’ve never felt this way before. So no more meddling.”
Ichabod winked at him. “Well, you know the ranch isn’t yours, not mine either. Remember eighteen years from now, we could both be out on our asses.”
He hooted. “By then I’ll have a good enough herd and remuda, and I’ll have sold enough straws that we can afford to buy next door.”
“And then I will have saved up enough money from all of the pottery to make the house gorgeous, and the children will all be jealous.” Ichabod winked at him and rubbed their noses together. “Thank you.”
“What for?”
