Colton petted the reindeer closest to them. “Leo was right. They are big. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Ready?” Noel asked.
Ace bowed and motioned toward the sleigh. “After you.” He helped Colton up, waiting for Colton to get under the layers of blankets before joining him. As soon as they were settled, Noel got them moving, the cheerful sounds of the sleigh bells filling the air. It was a beautiful day, the sun warm despite the falling flurry. Ace wrapped his arm around Colton, and Colton snuggled against him.
“This is magical,” Colton said, the awe in his voice making Ace smile. He turned and kissed Ace. “Thank you, love.”
“I know it’s not Christmas yet, but Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Ace.”
They kissed, then went back to simply enjoying each other’s company, snuggled together. The scenery was breathtaking, and Ace could see them coming back to Winterhaven. There was definitely something enchanting about it, and he couldn’t wait to see it once it was all decked out. He hoped the rest of their family was loving it as much as he and Colton were. Something told him they were. After all, his family was doing what they did best: helping others and spending time with those they loved. Man, he was feeling sappy, and he was one hundred percent there for it.
The sleigh ride was everything Ace had hoped it would be. Colton had been in love, and Noel took many photos so Laz could find the perfect shots to print and frame for their home. When the temperature started to drop, Noel turned them around, and they headed back to town. Their cheeks were rosy from the cold by then, but the smile on Colton’s face when Ace helped him out of the sleigh was everything.
“I think it’s time for some more hot cocoa,” Colton said, laughing at Ace throwing his arms up.
“Yes! There’s a polar bear wearing a scarf cookie with my name on it.”
“How did you know?” Colton asked as they walked down the sidewalk, the snow crunching beneath their boots. A fresh new layer of snow had fallen since they’d returned.
“That you wanted a romantic sleigh ride in the snow?”
“Yes.”
“You think I didn’t see you that night in the kitchen staring at that sleigh cookie? Also, whenever someone in one of your Christmas movies went for a sleigh ride, you’d sigh a kind of dreamy sigh that said you wished that was you.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
Colton kissed Ace’s cheek and then opened the café door for him. His phone dinged, and Colton pulled it out, checking his message. “Love, would you mind getting us a table? I’ll be right back.”
“Is everything okay?” Ace asked.
“Yes. I just need to pick something up from Clara really quick. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” Now who was being secretive? It seemed to be catching. Ace snagged the cozy couch at the back of the café near the fireplace. Christmas music played softly in the background. Ace checked his messages in case he’d missed anything from any of the guys, but nope, everything was quiet.
Colton took longer than Ace expected, so he started reading a book on his phone. He’d been so wrapped up in the story that he didn’t hear the café door jingle. He knew it was Colton because of his soft cologne. He smiled and held a finger up.
“Just finishing this paragraph.”
Something whined, and Ace lifted his gaze. “What. Is. That.” Ace’s heart exploded. Or at least it felt like it.
Colton beamed at him. “This is Cocoa. He’s a two-month-old sable German Shepherd puppy. And he’s yours if you want him.”
Ace moved his gaze from the puppy to Colton and back. “He’s mine?”
“Merry Christmas, love.”
Ace sat there, staring at the puppy.
“Did I break you? Or do you not want a puppy? Should I have talked to you about it first?”
Cocoa let out a little whine, and Ace made grabby hands. “Give me my puppy.”
Colton laughed. “Is that a yes?”
