“Oh, Darlin’. I’m so sorry this happened,” He whispers. “You’re okay. I got you.”
He rubs my back until I take one last shuttering breath.
When the back door opens, signaling the boys return from taking the puppy potty, I straighten up.
“Mom. Can we rename him?” Hudson asks as the puppy comes in and pees right on the rug.
Hudson’s jaw drops.
“I swear, he just went outside. The snow was yellow!”
For some reason, that’s what does it. My head falls back as I start cackling. I can’t stop, even as I’m wiping away tears and it’s not long before Hudson and Matty join in.
Tate tries to fight it, but he starts chuckling too. He draws me back under his arm, not worrying about if the boys see this time.
Chapter 16 Allison
Tate asks Old Man Henderson down the street for some dog food. He comes back smelling faintly of smoke.
With Rambo fed, we can finally get onto the presents.
I’m not sure when he had the time to make it, but Tate presses a cup of chamomile tea into my hands. Our fingers brush, his calloused skin against my soft knuckles. Our eyes meet and he settles next to me on the couch again. His thigh presses against mine. I don’t move away.
I glance at him to find he’s already looking down at me. I quickly avert my gaze back to the boys pulling boxes from under the tree.
The boys jump up and down when they open the video games I drove all over town for. Tate gives me a heartwarming smile when he realizes Matty got one from me too.
“Matty and I got you something too, Hudson.” Tate says.
Hudson beams.
Matty pulls the tall, skinny present from the corner of the room. He presents it to Hudson who can hardly contain his excitement. I find myself leaning forward curiously.
Hudson wastes no time tearing it open. It’s a camo fishing pole and tackle box.
His smile falters for a minute and I know he’s thinking of the cancelled trip with TJ.
“Oh, uh. Thank you.” He tries to stay polite, even as his cheeks tinge pink. My heart breaks for him. Looks like I’ll be learning to fish. I’ve never been but how hard can it be?
But then Tate goes and surprises me, once again.
“I hope you wouldn’t mind showing us around some of the fishing holes around here.” Tate says gently. “Maybe when I get back from the series?”
Hudson launches into his arms, hugging him tight. Tate catches him easily. He squeezes him back, a hand on the back of his head. Matty grins, watching the interaction.
“Merry Christmas.” He says softly, patting Hudson on the back. “We’ll have to take Rambo too. I bet he’ll love the water.”
Hudson lets him go. He nods and sniffles. Matty gives Hudson a hug too.
“We catch the biggest fish. I bet you’ll get the biggest one with that pole though.”
Tate wipes away a tear from my cheek. One I didn’t know had fallen.
“I got something for you, too,” He whispers, breath tickling my ear. I shiver.
“I hope it’s like my birthday present the other morning.” I give him a sly smirk. His mouth drops open.
“That was your birthday? I-I’m sorry. I had no idea. Jeez. I asked you to plan the team thing on your birthday.” Tate runs a hand through his hair, the tattoo on his bicep peeking out of his shirt sleeve.
