He liked it.
Dillon opened it, and he was quiet a long time, staring at the ring. Then he blinked a bit and glanced back up at Coke. “Thank you. I love it.”
“Merry Christmas.” He nodded, winked, then went to let Pansy in from the back yard.
He damned near got tackled on the way back in, Dillon kissing him hard and deep.
Oh, good. Someone liked it.
Climbing up Coke’s body, Dillon stood. “Thank you.”
He smiled, grabbed Dillon into a tight hug. “Love you, cowboy.”
“I love you, too. Merry Christmas, babe.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Chapter Nineteen
Dillon hummed, putting the last of the Christmas shit in the truck. The puppies had their seat belts and blankets in the back seat, and Coke had his lumbar pillow and all.
Time to head south.
Christmas Day had been really nice. They’d gone to Susan’s, played with the kids. They’d gone home and he’d given Coke presents that included a Nintendo DS with a Band Hero pack. All good.
His ring fit right on his hand, the heaviness still new, the sapphire catching his eye.
Nothing could really compete with that ring. Everything else seemed anti-climactic.
‘Coke’s Cowboy’.
Damn.
“Everything’s locked up, cowboy. You ready?”
“I am.” He was sad that they had to leave so soon, but honestly, the weather wasn’t going to get good enough for Coke to work outside for a few months now.
Not only that, but he really wanted to try to get over to see Beau and Sammy, even if it was only for a day.
He wanted to see Sammy’s reaction to his Christmas present.
The man would lose his shit.
“You got smoke comin’ out your ears.”
“Huh? Oh, I was just pondering. I’m ready.” He would drive the first few legs, try to get them some distance in the snow.
“Let’s go.” Coke stopped suddenly, then kissed him hard. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He wasn’t sure what for, but that kiss curled his toes, so he’d take it.
Coke beamed at him, then whistled up the puppies, who came running. They loved to go.
They settled the hounds in the back, got everything secure and headed out. Coke loved the massaging, heated pad with the lumbar cushion, so Dillon figured the man would be asleep soon.
“I brought that new book that your sister got me for Christmas. I thought, when it was my turn to drive, you could read on it for me.”
“Oh, that sounds good.” Coke had surprised Dillon by being a huge reader. Oh, Dillon had never thought Coke was dumb or illiterate, but the man devoured books. And he loved for Dillon to read to him.
