“Thething. Oh so helpful, Joe.” Uriel finally figured out the clasp, and the stockings slid down the lamppost.”
“A round ofSanta-plause for the conquering hero,” Joe said.
And then he proceeded to slow clap as Uriel climbed down the ladder.
“You’re lucky I like you.”
“I know,” Joe said. “You like so very few people.”
Uriel scowled at Joe’s obvious, but poor, attempt to mimic his voice.
Joe grabbed the ladder with a laugh before Uriel could form a retort and carried it to the next corner. Before Uriel could argue, he’d climbed up and started detaching the decorations. Then Joe tossed the lampshade at him, missing his head by less than an inch.
Joe had to hold on to the lamppost as he laughed.
And he still managed to detach the garter with one hand while his entire body shook.
“If you fall, we really will have an emergency on our hands. And exactly how much experience do you have with garters?” Uriel did not like the uncomfortable shift in his stomach at the thought of Joe knowing such things.
Joe climbed down the ladder and shot a sexy smile Uriel’s way. “Let’s just say I’m not on Santa’s nice list, Uriel.”
“Hey, Joe!” Oberon’s poorly timed interruption prevented Uriel from responding. He was becoming extremely tired of being cut off before he could form appropriate responses. “We’re going to put up the decorations for next week while we’re at it. You two up for helping? Breakfast at the inn for your time.”
“Sure, Oberon,” Joe agreed. “We’re happy to help.”
Oberon grinned and put a bin down beside the ladder. “We appreciate it.”
Uriel scowled as the sprite practically skipped away. “For goodnessflakes, Joe. Say it ain’tsnow.”
“Aww,” Joe said. “Betrayed by the holiday spirit. And those were horrible puns. You can do better. Oh, and what about a troop of cousins?”
“A troop?”
“Yeah, like kangaroos. They’re always hopping all over town.”
As far as naming conventions went, it wasn’t the worst. Uriel had come up with those himself. “A troop. I’ll consider it.”
“Why thank you, oh wise one. Hey, when are you ordering more cozy mysteries? I’m gonna have to order online if you don’t get me my fix.”
Joe scrambled back up the ladder and began attaching the garland to the streetlamp.
“The order came in yesterday. Although I’m currently reconsidering the special treatment I give you. You seem to be fond of torturing me. It seems only fair for me to return the favor.”
Joe gasped and flung a loose piece of mistletoe at him. “You wouldn’t hold my books hostage, would you?”
“I’m thinking about it. It’s freezing, I need coffee that didn’t derive from the La Brea Tar Pits, and you’re throwing decorations at my head.”
Joe finished decorating the streetlamp and climbed down the ladder. “Fine, I just wanted you to grace us with yourpresents. Ha. Get it? Presents?”
“Show, don’t tell, Joe.”
Joe picked up the bin, then jerked his head toward the ladder. “Come on. Let’s get another one done. And don’t even think about abandoning me for breakfast. The entiretroopwill be there. You know how dangerous kangaroos can be. You wouldn’t leave me on my own, would you?”
Uriel picked up the bin and followed Joe to the next light. “I’ve lost the thread of this conversation. And I’ve readWar and Peace. Twelve times.”
“That explainssoooomuch,” Joe said. “Isn’t that thing over a thousand pages long?”
“Twelve-hundred. It’s a classic.”
