Thawed Out (Merry Everything #4)

Chapter 6

6

T he morning of Christmas Eve was bitter cold and sunny, so that was how Flynn knew it was time to get down the hill. He’d been up at five a.m., dealing with getting the state police to have CDOT come get them.

He let Kiran sleep in while he packed up the cab of the truck and started the process of closing the cabin until spring.

His world had totally changed in the last forty-eight hours.

It started with the lowest moment of his whole life—pen in hand, reading divorce papers—and now he was headed home hand in hand with his husband.

Well, truck and SUV trundling down the mountain with his husband…

“I see sunshine.” Kiren came out of the bedroom fully dressed, hair neat and smiling. “Tell me we’re going home.”

“They’re working their way up. We should be down by noon. Will that give us enough time to do Christmas shopping?”

“Sure, we can go before we go to Mom’s house and wrap stuff after they go to bed.” Kiren rolled his eyes. “While we’re building bikes. I bet Dad will help. What can I do around here? You’re closing up?”

“I don’t imagine we’ll be back for the rest of the winter, eh? We can plan a long visit together when you’re on break, maybe.” They could make a plan in May, after his test and graduation.

“Yeah, probably not. Spring break maybe. We’ll see. Maybe we’ll try to go somewhere warm if you can get the time off.”

“Well, there will be a week or two between. Maybe we can go on a cruise…”

“Huh. That’s a great idea. Let’s look into it.” Kiren started poking around helping with the little things he always did to close up the house. “Is the cooler in your truck yet?”

“Yeah. I left the milk out in the snow for you.”

“Ooh. Thank you so much.” Kiren opened the back door and grabbed it. “Brrr. Do you need coffee?”

He could feel it, the way things were starting to normalize between them. Kiren was just—doing what he always did, no tension, no worry.

“I think I will, yeah. I’m going to bring a new French press up next time.”

“That’s a good idea. This one has definitely seen better days.” Kiren got the water going on the stove and pulled out two mugs.

“Yeah. I worried it was going to just go boom, but it held on.”

“Well, it’s got one more chance.” Kiren laughed and moved back a few steps dramatically.

“Lord, you do tempt fate.” Flynn grabbed Kiren, dragged him close, and kissed the fire out of him.

“Mm!” Kiren smiled against his lips and hugged him. “Someone is in a good mood.”

“I’m coming home. I’m coming to sleep with you. What’s not to be in a good mood for?”

“Truth, my husband. So true.” Kiren kissed him back. “Honeymoon is over though. After Christmas it’s back to work and school and karate and dance class and snotty little four-year-old colds.”

“I deal with tons of those. I maintain our children are the worst.”

“Right? They must have gotten that from you.” Kiren winked and slipped away to pour their coffee.

“Oh ho! I am damn charming when I’m sick, thank you!” He goosed Kiren on the way.

“Ow!” Kiren swatted at him. “You are not charming when you’re sick; you’re a big baby with the man-flu.” Kiren paused a second, coffee pot in hand. “Or maybe that’s me.”

“Actually, you’re a good patient. You take your meds, follow instructions, and sleep.” He hated being sick. He had too damn much to do to be down in the mouth.

“I’m so boring.” Kiren handed him a mug of coffee. “Man. I am ready to get out of here. Not that I don’t enjoy the cabin, but you know what I mean.”

“I do. This is a fun place in the summer and fall, but it’s Christmas, and it’s time to be home with the beasts.” He would make cinnamon toast pancakes for Christmas morning.

Kiren sipped his coffee again, and then they both heard the rumbling. “Plow!”

“Oh, thank God. Do you think you can drive down? I can try to tow you, but…” It was dangerous.

“Yeah. I can drive. You got me that giant all-wheel drive for a reason, right? I’ll follow you.” He heard the words, and he saw the nod, but he wasn’t sure how much confidence there was behind it.

“I’ll be right there. We get down the mountain and on the road, then we’ll be golden.” He wasn’t going to let Kiren wreck.

“Yep. No problem. And then home to the kids. I can’t wait.” Kiren took his mug and washed both of them. “What’s left? Are we ready?”

“We are. Let’s get the engines warming up.” He met Kiren’s eyes. “It’s not going to disappear when we get down the mountain, is it?”

He didn’t want to have this new chance dissolve.

Kiren held his gaze, moved in close again and put an arm around him. “No. It’s going to get even better.”

“I believe you.” And even if he didn’t, Flynn would work on it until he did.

“Good. I’m ready if you’re ready.” Kiren let him go. “Just need my boots.” They’d dug the trucks out yesterday and he’d made sure they both started up, so at least he knew they were good on that front.

“Yeah, bundle up, and we’ll figure out where we’re heading after we get into town.”

“Maybe we can stop and grab the kids some doughnuts from that bakery. That would be a good excuse to pull over a minute after the drive down the mountain, right?” Yeah, Kiren was nervous. He heard that loud and clear.

“Hey, if the team has two people, I’ll see if one can drive your SUV down and you can ride with me.”

“I can do it. I want to. Man up, right? I’ll just follow you. You’ll get me down okay.” That much Kiren sounded confident about.

“I will. I promise.” He gave Kiren another kiss. “I have another chance with you. I’m not going to mess it up.”

“No one’s going to mess anything up. We’re just starting fresh, and we’ll handle things as they come up this time. Okay?” He reached out to help Kiren with his coat and Kiren let him, smiling. “Thank you. I’m ready.”

“I am too. I love you.” He took a deep breath and opened the door. It was time to get them down the mountain.