A short while later, Hunter found himself lying on his stomach on the floor playing Chutes and Ladders, an oldie but a goodie. The board game transitioned into constructing a castle out of Lego. The three of them sat on the rug surrounded by tiny colored blocks as the castle, or at least what Hunter hoped would eventually resemble one, emerged. As he’d somewhat expected, things disintegrated as the kids tired and started bickering.
“Gabby, give that Lego block back to Cameron. It was on his pile.”
“But I need a yellow one,” she whined.
“Here, have one of mine.” He passed it across, and she wrapped her small hand around it. She made to scramble over to Hunter, but as she did, her leg went out and her foot scattered Cameron’s neatly piled stack of bricks.
Cameron jumped to his feet and pointed his finger at his sister. “Look what you did!”
“It was an accident, Cam. Gabby didn’t mean to knock your bricks.”
“That took me ages to do.” His lower lip quivered.
“I’ll help you sort them out again. But first, why don’t you go and grab some snacks. I know Grandma has some juice boxes in the fridge, and maybe you can find some cookies. I know I’m starving. Can you be a big boy and do that?”
Thankfully, Cameron agreed, and it looked like the crisis was averted. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Gabby snuggled on his lap, thumb now in her mouth, the yellow Lego piece clenched firmly in her fist. She smelled of bubblegum-scented shampoo and maple syrup, and his heart clenched a little tighter. He’d always told himself he didn’t want kids, but it was moments like this that created a frisson of doubt. Before he could analyze his thoughts too much, Cameron came bounding back into the room, arms laden with juices boxes and an unopened package of Oreos.
Then all hell broke loose.
In a matter of seconds, Cameron, in his socked feet, trod on a Lego block. He yelled and dropped his cargo of snacks. He lifted his injured foot, teetering as he tried to see the bottom of it. Hunter knew how much it hurt when one of those sharp corners stabbed the tender flesh on the bottom of your foot so couldn’t blame the poor kid for dropping everything. Cameron wobbled, righted himself, then wobbled again. Hunter reached for him, but with Gabby on his lap and sitting in a sea of blocks, he had no hope. It was as if everything happened in slow motion. Cameron’s shocked face as he toppled. The jingle of all the ornaments as he knocked the Christmas tree and the fully laden boughs shook. Hunter’s relief when Cam got to his feet uninjured, the tree in one piece. Then, from the corner of his eye, seeing the pale blue star—the huge centerpiece topping the tree—falling until it reached the hardwood floor. In moments, glass shards were interspersed with brightly colored blocks, and both kids had burst into tears.
Hunter felt like joining them.
10
He’d been run off his feet all day, which was a positive thing, his back aching in a way that reflected the long and busy day. He and Amy had been restocking shelves, serving customers, gift-wrapping presents, and ringing up sales constantly. As they’d neared closing time, he’d sent Amy home so she could spend some time with a family, knowing that she’d been working extra hours to help with the Christmas rush. Aaron saw the last customer out of the store, then did a quick whip around, tidying and straightening the various displays.
He paused briefly, eyes going to the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling, the memories of the night before rushing back, flooding his cheeks with heat.Oh God, what was I thinking?He didn’t know whether to be embarrassed at his actions or to congratulate himself for taking the initiative and instigating that kiss.That sizzling hot, bone-melting kiss.He groaned.Get it together, Aaron.
He flicked the light switch, plunging the store into dimness, but left the fairy lights throughout the store twinkling. He loved seeing their sparkle all day but particularly loved the glow in the darkened space. His step lightened as he headed back to the office, humming along with “Little Drummer Boy” in an attempt to lift his spirits. But his energy was flagging, and he almost fell into the desk chair. The pile of paperwork was uninspiring, but it needed to be done, and the sooner he got it done, the quicker he could get home, where a pizza and a night in front of the TV waited for him.
He’d hardly started working through the invoices when someone began banging on the store door.Shit! What now?The last thing he needed was an interruption. With a huff, he hauled himself up and made his way to see who was impatiently knocking on his door.
His heart gave a little skip when he saw Hunter through the glass pane. His mouth lifted into a smile as he opened the door. “Hey.”
“Hi,” Hunter said as he pushed into the store, basically ignoring Aaron as he moved across the room.
Aaron closed the door behind him. Given the last time they’d seen each other was with their tongues down each other’s throats, he’d expected a bit more than a grunted greeting. Now he was definitely curious as to the reason for Hunter’s visit. If he wanted to catch up, surely a text would have sufficed, but it didn’t seem like he was particularly interested in Aaron at all. His momentary happiness dimmed.
Hunter was engrossed in the tree, the lights still twinkling in the darkened store.
“What can I do for you? We hadn’t arranged anything for the committee tonight?” At least not that Aaron remembered—his brain was pretty much a sieve these days.
“I need that star.” Hunter pointed to the top of the tree.
Huh?“The store’s not even open. Can you come back during opening hours like a regular customer?”
“No. I need it now. Tonight.”
Aaron rolled his eyes, not caring that Hunter could see his scowl. He was feeling most decidedly un-Christmassy. “Follow me, and I’ll show you what I have.” He switched on a light and moved to the shelves where baskets overflowed with decorations. “There are these gorgeous angels”—he gestured to the display—“or if you’re definitely after a star, there are these ones made from twisted golden wire, or solid silver ones.”
“It has to be that one.” Hunter didn’t even give the baskets a cursory glance, instead focusing back on the Christmas tree.
“I don’t have any more like it. It’s a limited-edition handmade ornament.”
“You don’t understand. Ithasto be that one.”
