“Well, I guess it won’t be that bad, then.”
“Come on,” I said, linking our hands and starting down the stairs.
“Where are we going?”
“There’s somewhere I want to take you,” I replied.
“I just got here.”
“It’s to your Christmas present.”
Surprise filled his face. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!”
Laughing, I followed him the rest of the way down the stairs, tugging him in the direction of my truck. He slid all the way across the bench seat, body pressed against mine as I drove us across the property.
“What kind of present requires a drive?” he wondered, cheek resting on my shoulder.
“A special one.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” he said, cheeky.
Soon, the old oak tree came into view, and I stopped the truck right there in the snow.
Toby eyed me suspiciously, and I grinned, getting out of the truck and helping him down from the driver’s side. No, he didn’t need the help, but I wanted a reason to touch him.
“You don’t have your gun, so you aren’t shooting down some mistletoe for me,” Toby observed. “And I don’t see any wrapped packages sitting beneath it.”
“Correct.” I agreed, tugging him beneath the gnarled branches.
“I love it,” Toby declared, throwing his arms around my shoulders.
I laughed. “Love what?”
“My gift.”
“You don’t even know what it is.”
“It’s a visit to the place we started forever.”
I wasn’t really a sentimental guy, but damn, pretty sure I was feeling some sentiments.
Brushing my thumb across his cheekbone, I said, “It’s over there.”
He perked up, eyes searching. Finally, he said, “If this is a joke, Archer, I’m not laughing.”
Sliding around behind him, I covered his eyes with my hands.
“Hey!”
“Start walking,” I instructed.
“Christmas is not supposed to feel murderous,” he announced.
“Trust me,” I whispered against his ear.
He huffed but let me lead him around the tree, hands still covering his eyes. When I had him in position, I leaned in again. “Ready?”
“I’m about to expire from curiosity!”
