Here Comes Santa Paws (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

14. Elias

Chapter 14

Elias

“You’re chipper today.”

“Hmm?” I tried to ignore Gramps’s assessing stare as I stirred the sauce for his favorite beef stroganoff recipe.

My cheeks burned like Gramps could see the dirty thoughts in my mind. It wasn’t my fault that my thirsty brain replayed the power of Roman’s hold and the hunger in his kiss on repeat. Damn near to the point of complete distraction. My grandfather didn’t need to know that the reason I kept smiling to myself was because my gorgeous, grumpy neighbor kissed like a sex god and had a peppermint stick in his pants I wanted to lick.

I’d nearly texted him a dozen times today to check on Carol, but I knew he’d see right through it. If I wanted a chance for something more to happen, I needed to play it cool. I’d sensed he was on the verge of either panicking or kicking me out yesterday, so I’d left. Fooling around with my neighbor was messy enough, but one who was planning to move away soon? That was a recipe for disaster for my heart.

Or it might be the perfect situation to blow off steam without any expectations. Roman wouldn’t demand anything of me or my time. I’d never really been a hook-up kind of guy, but there was a first time for everything.

“Chipper. You. Why?” Gramps carefully walked over to me while aiming his pointer finger at my face and moving it in a circle. He pulled a fork from the silverware drawer and jabbed a piece of the twice-tenderized round steak simmering in the beef broth and spices. Gramps’s eyes narrowed as he studied me up close.

“You’re walking well. How are you feeling?” He didn’t take the bait from my attempted subject change.

“Did something good happen?” His voice softened.

Gramps was probably worried about me with all the extra crap going on. I could throw him a bone.

I rummaged in the pantry for the noodles I needed for Gramps’s favorite stroganoff. “We’ve adopted out a few animals this week thanks to Sunday’s event and received interest in our first pop-up event.”

“That’s great, kiddo.”

Gramps sat in the folding chair I’d set up at the end of my narrow kitchen so he could sit while I cooked. He usually hung out in the kitchen with me when I cooked dinner, if the dogs left him alone long enough. But with the surgery recovery, I didn’t want him standing too long. I’d been worried about having him over with the dogs running around, but he’d insisted. I knew he missed them, and the dogs had been gentle with him, as if they sensed he was injured.

“I bet you’re happy you got your neighbor to take Carol.” Gramps’s tone prompted more.

I couldn’t stop the smile from taking over my face. “She’s happy there.” It had made my heart joyful to see her so relaxed at his place after only a day. Roman might not appreciate the teddy bear comparison, but that didn’t make it any less true.

He chuckled. “I bet she is.” He had a knowing smile.

“Are there any exercises you’re supposed to be doing while you’re here?” I glanced over at Gramps.

He flexed his foot up and down. “Yeah.”

“PT going well?”

Gramps’s smile turned wily. “Fabulous. My PT is very skilled. Less than two weeks from surgery, and I’m already feeling better. He knows his stuff.”

I snorted as I stirred the stroganoff sauce. “I sure as hell hope he does.”

“He’s very thorough and attentive.”

For a second, I wondered if Gramps had a bit of a platonic crush on the guy, but then I remembered his clumsy matchmaking attempts. When he said how handsome his PT was, I sighed.

“Gramps, I already told you. I’m not interested. Stop trying to set me up with your PT. It’s weird.”

He waved me off. “It’s not weird. If you don’t meet someone on the apps, your only option is in the wild, right? Setups were how lots of my friends got married when I was your age.”

“Married?” I nearly yelled. “Chill, old man. I’m not interested in dating anyone right now. And I certainly don’t want to date anyone you set me up with. You’d be insufferable about it.”

“I would not.”

“You’re insufferable already, and I’m not even dating the guy.”

Gramps crossed his arms over his chest. “Is it bad that I want to see my beloved grandson happy?”

“I’m immune to your guilt trips, and I don’t need your help to get a boyfriend.”

“If I don’t find you one, then who will? Not you.”

“Ouch, Gramps.” I turned off the burner for the sauce and pulled out the salad supplies while the pasta boiled. “How about you settle in the living room and give the critters some T-words. I’ll bring dinner out.”

He chatted with the dogs while I plated our dinners. Within a few minutes, I brought our meals out and placed them on the TV trays I’d set up earlier. Gramps sat on the couch with a dog on each side, so I took the chair. He’d turned on an old sitcom we always enjoyed. Anytime I wondered whether I’d made the wrong decision by staying in Christmas Falls, moments like this reminded me I was exactly where I wanted to be.

“Delicious, as always. Thanks.”

I smiled at Gramps as I shoveled a large forkful of stroganoff into my mouth. The creamy, savory pasta dish was the ultimate comfort food. I probably should’ve cooked something lighter since we’d be stuffing our faces at Thanksgiving tomorrow. Too late now.

When my plate was half-empty, there was a knock at the door. I ignored my Millennial urge to pretend I wasn’t home and got up to answer. I didn’t expect to find Roman standing there.

“Roman. Hey.” My smile ran away from me.

His lips shifted into a small, closed-mouth smile that sent flutters through my stomach. “Hey. I was wondering if you had a few minutes to?—”

“Roman! Come to torture me while you’re off the clock? I just did my ankle exercises. Elias can vouch for me.”

Confused, I turned to Roman, who looked between me and Gramps with an expression that bordered on sheepish.

“You know each other?”

“Did I forget to tell you Roman is my physical therapist?”

The faux innocence in Gramps’s voice had me narrowing my eyes at him. Then I aimed my glare at Roman.

“Did you know he was my grandfather?”

His nod was small but visible.

“And why didn’t you say anything?”

“I figured there was a reason he hadn’t told you, so I didn’t. Medical confidentiality.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Are you using HIPAA to try and get yourself out of this?”

“Maybe?” The playful glint in his eye and teasing smile melted my annoyance.

“Come in.” I stood back and gestured for him to enter.

He complied and eyed my dogs warily. To keep them out of his hair, I pulled their special bones off the table next to the door and tossed them to the other side of the living room.

“Dinner smells good.” Roman eyed my plate.

“Tastes good too. Want some? There’s lots extra.”

He shook his head. “Just ate, but thanks.”

“I told you my grandson was a great cook. Speaking of dinner, you should join us for Thanksgiving tomorrow.” Gramps dropped the bomb without any warning.

“Thanksgiving?” Roman asked after a prolonged silence.

“You know, lots of food, football, great desserts. We’ll be here. Come over if you don’t have plans.” Gramps dropped the invitation casually, which, I had to admit, was probably the best way to approach it with Roman.

It left me wondering about their dynamic during Gramps’s PT appointments.

“I don’t have any plans.” Roman glanced at me.

“You should come,” I said, meaning it.

“Maybe.”

I sent Gramps a warning glare to not pressure him, then looked back at Roman. “You came over to ask me something?”

“Right. I bought a few things to take Carol on walks and wanted your thoughts on them.”

I glanced at Gramps, who seemed to be fighting a smile as hard as I was.

“Sure, let’s go. Gramps, be right back.” I pulled on my shoes and followed Roman out.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt dinner,” he said as we walked to his place.

“Not an interruption. I already ate the best part. The salad will keep.” I gave him my best attempt at a withering look, which made his lips twitch. “I finally learned that the two of you have been keeping a secret from me.” I kept my tone playful, even if I was still a bit peeved. More at Gramps than Roman. I didn’t appreciate Gramps trying to pull our puppet strings.

Roman opened his door and moved to the side to let me in. Carol, cozy on her fancy bed, opened one eye, stared at me for several beats, then closed it.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about working with Jim.”

“Don’t worry. He’s the one who should’ve said something. It’s not your place as his PT. What’s it like?”

Roman chuckled. “The appointments with him are always interesting.”

“I can imagine. He’s a handful at the best of times.”

He walked to his couch, where several dog accessories were lined up. “Somehow, he’s convinced me to change a lightbulb, make him coffee, and get his mail.”

I shook my head. “I’m surprised he doesn’t have you cooking for him yet.”

Roman’s teasing smile made his devastatingly handsome face even more attractive. “I still have weeks left of working with him. You never know.”

I grinned, and a heated moment passed between us. “How long have you known he’s my grandfather?”

“Since Friday. He kept going on and on and on about his pain-in-the-ass grandson and a pain-in-the-ass dog and a pain-in-the-ass issue at the animal shelter. I put two and two together.” His teasing smirk made me dizzy.

“It’s a small world,” he said.

“Small town,” I countered. I joined him in front of his couch. “What do you need my thoughts on?”

Roman showed me the three harnesses and two sets of booties he’d picked up. “Which do you think would work best? I don’t trust the opinion of the teenager at the pet store.”

I bit my bottom lip to stop my smile. It was so adorable how all-in he was going on this. I knew he’d be great for Carol and Carol for him.

After recommending a harness and bootie set, I inched closer to him.

“You really are welcome to join us at Thanksgiving tomorrow. It’s just me, Gramps, and enough food to feed a family of ten.”

I’d idly considered inviting him but had thought it’d be too much, given the whole kiss thing. But who could turn down an invitation from a charmingly pushy old man?

He placed his hands on his hips, and the move made my mouth water. “What kind of food are we talking about?”

I began counting off on my fingers. “Turkey, stuffing, ham, mashed potatoes, baked beans, brussels sprouts, strawberry Jello salad, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie, chocolate cream pie. Hmm. Rolls? Probably more that I’m forgetting. It’s way more than we can eat, but the shelter volunteers always appreciate whatever leftovers I bring in.”

His eyes widened as the list grew. “Ham and turkey?”

“Why choose?” I shrugged.

Roman’s lips twitched. “A damn good question. What can I bring?”

I rocked on my heels as my smile grew out of control. “Maybe drinks if there’s something specific you want?”

He nodded. “How about a green bean casserole too? My mom always makes that.”

Be still my heart. “I’d love that. See you tomorrow?”

“See you then.”

I floated back to my place. I wanted to close the door behind me, slide to the ground, and kick my feet. When I opened the door, Gramps’s smug grin greeted me.

“Told you that you’d like my PT. If there was a fainting couch, you’d swoon.”

“I absolutely would not. You’re in trouble for keeping this from me. No chocolate pie for you tomorrow.”

Gramps petted the dogs as they rejoined him on the couch. “Your daddy is full of shit, isn’t he? He’s got a crush on his neighbor.”

The dogs barked. Even Krampus meowed.

Traitors. The lot of them.

It was hard to finish my dinner with a smile so wide.