The Snuggle is Real (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Mason

We wrestled the Douglas fir through Ford’s front door while Charlie held Pepper’s leash. I wasn’t worried the dog would take off on her because he’d decided he liked this little human quite a lot.

It was too bad Charlie wasn’t staying for good, or I could suggest putting Pepper under the tree on Christmas morning. I wanted to see the little guy go to a good home.

We stumbled through the doorway and Ford veered toward a corner of the living room. He’d set up a tree stand and skirt, so all we had to do was get it into the stand and turn the screws.

It took a few adjustments to get the dang thing to stand straight, and then Ford turned it this way and that, trying to hide the worst of its gaps between branches.

It was a lost cause.

“Once you two decorate it, you won’t even notice,” I said, though I was pretty sure that wasn’t true.

Charlie looked up from her spot on the floor where she and Pepper sprawled. “Aren’t you gonna stay, Mason?”

“Oh, uh… It’s getting pretty late. I should probably get Pepper home.”

“Aw, but he’s so cute.” She stroked his ears, and he gazed up at her with total adoration. “Can’t you stay a little longer? You helped us get the tree, so you should get to decorate it too.”

She said it as if decorating was a great treat. Honestly? It would be, but I didn’t want to intrude.

I glanced sidelong at Ford, hesitant. He bit the inside of his cheek, seeming equally unsure of how to proceed.

“I guess I could—” I started.

“Mason’s done enough—” he said at the same time.

We both froze awkwardly. I laughed. “Um, I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“No, obviously you’re plenty welcome.” Ford waved toward Charlie and Pepper. “I just don’t want to take advantage. You’ve spent a lot of time with us already.”

Oh, if only he knew how much more time I’d love to spend in his company.

“I don’t mind.”

Charlie cheered. “Yes, decorating party!”

With a sheepish grin of defeat, Ford went to get the boxes of decorations. We worked together to hang the lights, then while Ford opened the boxes of ornaments, I fetched a chair for Charlie to stand on to reach the top of the tree.

I turned to find Ford gazing at a clear ornament with a miniature snowman resting on a pile of blue glitter inside it.

“That’s cute,” I said. “Did you make it at one of those ornament workshops they hold during the festival?”

“Nicole made it,” he said quietly, eyes glassy. “She gave a few to me because—” He suddenly burst into laughter, surprising me. “LuAnne kept buying these absolutely hideous gnome ornaments.”

“I like gnomes,” Charlie said with a pout.

“Oh, these weren’t cute like the ones you saw at the festival. They were, uh, well…they looked like trolls. Long hair, ugly faces, but holding a candy cane or a snowball.”

Ford dug through the box and found a couple of cute reindeer ornaments for Charlie to hang. Once she was out of earshot, he whispered, “Lu left them behind and they went straight into the trash. It was more cathartic than kicking the shit out of the Christmas tree if I’m honest.”

I was glad he could laugh about that now. Ford had seemed so guilt-ridden when he told me that story. “Well, it looks like your sister had good taste.”

He smiled wistfully. “Yeah, she always did.”

There were a few more sentimental ornaments, but most of the box was made up of store-bought ones. I helped hang them, occasionally moving an ornament when Charlie wasn’t looking to keep everything balanced.

“All right, Charlie girl, I think we’re done,” Ford said twenty minutes later. “Time for you to get to bed like Pepper has.”

My dog was sacked out in front of the couch, curled up into as tight a ball as he could manage. Every now and then he snored.

“Aw,” Charlie said. “Do I have to?”

“Afraid so. Go on. I’m just gonna say goodbye to Mason, and then I’ll come read you a story, if you want.”

“Okay.” Charlie gave me a quick hug, kissed the top of Pepper’s head, making him stir and open one eye for a moment, then ran into the hall.

“Brush your teeth!” Ford called.

“Okay!”

I grabbed Pepper’s leash and reattached it, then said the magic words, “Want to go for a ride?”

Pepper scrambled to his feet, tongue lolling out, and shook his whole body in some sort of doggie stretch.

“I’ll walk you to the door,” Ford said.

“Okay.” When we reached the front door, I turned to Ford. “I’ve got something else for you.”

“Oh?” His gaze darted down to my mouth. Was he…? No. There was no reason he’d expect or even want a kiss from me. “What is it?”

I retrieved my wallet and pulled out the festival tickets I’d gotten from Griff.

“For you and Charlie. So I don’t have to keep being a third wheel.”

“You’re not a third wheel. I believe Pepper made four.”

I grinned. “I think he’s found true love with your Charlie.”

“Pretty sure the feeling’s mutual.” Ford looked down at the tickets. “Ice-skating, huh? Charlie will love that. Pics with Santa? I thought that was free.”

I tapped the ticket. “Participating is free, of course. This gets you a set of professional photos.”

“Oh, wow. That’s too generous.”

“There’s, uh, a little something for you in there too.”

He flipped through the tickets and snorted a laugh. “An Ugly Christmas Sweater Party? You really are determined to get me into one of those, huh?”

I grinned. “That one’s actually for me. I’ll be there so I can see you in all your ugly sweater glory.”

He chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were flirting with me.”

My heart faltered. “Oh, I didn’t mean— I’m so sorry if that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“I didn’t say anything about being uncomfortable. Besides, I know you’re not really flirting. Otherwise, you’d be trying to get me out of my clothes, not into uglier ones.”

I laughed weakly. “Right.”

Pepper tugged at the leash at my side, getting impatient. Just how long had Ford and I dragged out this goodbye?

I needed to leave.

Joke or not, I was far too invested in him and he’d obviously picked up on it.

“There’s also a couple of tickets to the cocktail hour in there for you.”

“There’s two? Why…”

“So you can take a date.” I forced a smile, trying to pretend I didn’t hate the idea of Ford going out with someone. “Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the season too.”

“This is too much, Mason.”

“Nah. You deserve that and more.”

His eyes met mine, searching. “Do you really believe that?”

“Of course I do. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

He wet his lips, sending my heart rate spiking, then pulled me in against that broad chest in a warm, enveloping hug.

I wanted to snuggle into those strong arms, rest my head against that broad chest, and live there forever.

Which is why I pulled away. “Goodnight, Ford.”

“Goodnight.”

I searched his expression for any sign that he enjoyed that hug for the reasons I did. That maybe somewhere, even deep down, he felt the slightest attraction to me.

But there was nothing to see. Because Ford was a straight man concerned with giving his daughter a good Christmas, and I was just the guy at the charitable agency that could make it happen.

Pepper whined and tugged at the leash, and this time I let him pull me to the car. It was past time to go home and focus on my own life.

I walked down the sidewalk without looking back.

If I did, I might beg for an invitation back into those arms, and it would only make me feel worse when Ford said no.

The next night, I kept busy trying to strip the wallpaper in my guest room. The house wasn’t going to prepare itself for my family’s visit, after all. It didn’t distract me nearly as well as I’d hoped, though.

I was really thankful that this evening I was meeting Elias and Taylor for drinks at The White Elephant.

After spending so much time with Ford and Charlie, I felt oddly restless at home. Peppermint was good company—but even he seemed to miss the new family we’d adopted.

Elias was already seated at a four-top table near the fireplace when I arrived, a flight of seasonal beers in front of him.

“You look almost as tired as Griff.”

“Thanks a lot.” I pulled out a seat across from him. “I’ve been running a pop-up booth at festival events all day, and I’ve spent all my free time trying to get the wallpaper off the guest room walls.”

All the free time that hadn’t been spent with Ford and Charlie, anyway.

“How did that go?”

I held up my bandaged index finger just as Taylor dropped into the seat beside me.

“Let’s just say that the wall won. Or maybe the scraper won? I don’t know. This might come as a shock, but I’m really not that handy.”

Unlike a certain guy I was trying not to think about. Ever since our goodbye Wednesday night, I couldn’t get him out of my head. I knew he was straight, and there was really no way he’d be into me, and yet…I’d sensed something, hadn’t I?

Taylor grabbed a four-ounce glass of beer from the tray. Each one had a cute greeting card label attached.

“Mad Elf,” Taylor read out. “A Belgian beer brewed with cherries and honey. Sounds pretty damn good.”

Elias picked up a second one. “The Twelve Dogs of Christmas.”

Taylor snorted. “That’s appropriate.”

Elias shook his head and handed it to me. “I think I’ve got enough Christmas dogs to be worrying about. This shelter mess has been…a lot.”

The rim of the glass was coated in cinnamon and sugar, and when I took a sip—well, damn. I tasted sweet spice, hints of honey, and…ginger? Well, whatever it was, it was good.

“Does that mean you can’t loan me your contractor to deal with my house?” I joked.

“I just gave you a beer. Do you really have to be so greedy?”

“That’s Mason,” Taylor joked. “Always so selfish.” He leaned in. “I mean, did you see the guy he was with at the parade? Who wouldn’t want to help him, am I right?”

My face went hot. Taylor was just kidding, of course. Ford was a hunk of lumberjack goodness that just about anyone could appreciate.

“Oh, look at that blush!” Elias said, zeroing in on my stupid face, which broadcasted my every emotion. “I think Mason has a little crush.”

“Stop.” I chuckled. “Ford is a guy who needed some help. He’s not for me.”

“You never know,” Elias teased.

I pulled a face. “I kind of do know. He’s straight, and he’s got other priorities, like taking care of his little girl.”

“She’s adorable,” Taylor said. “And yeah, from what I know of Ford, he’s never been interested in men.”

“Too bad,” Elias mused. “I haven’t seen you show interest in anyone else since you got here.”

“I’m not interested in him either,” I insisted.

I couldn’t be. Even if that flicker of attraction I’d sensed was real—and that was doubtful—I couldn’t take advantage of Ford’s gratitude. As long as he was accepting charitable contributions from the Holiday Hope Foundation, nothing could happen. Period.

“Let’s talk about Taylor’s new man,” I said to shift the conversation away from me. “It’ll be a lot more interesting.”

“Yeah, how is that going?” Elias asked. “When Rocco first arrived, I thought he’d never understand Christmas Falls. Now here he is, running all over the festival with you, looking happy as a clam.”

Taylor shifted. “Uh, yeah. Well, I’m the deputy mayor. It’s my job to make people love our town.”

“And you?”

“What?”

“Are you making Rocco fall for you?” Elias teased.

“Whoa, slow your roll. I’m only one beer in.”

With a laugh, I grabbed another and read the label before handing it over. “This one’s called Fistmas. Whoa. There’s an idea of what you can do with Rocco.”

Taylor choked on his first sip. “Jesus, Mason. You look so innocent.”

“Don’t buy into that angelic face,” Elias said with a chuckle. “Those are always the naughtiest boys.”

I smiled, thinking back to my college days. I had gotten around a bit. There was something about my sweet little face that did it for some guys. They thought they were corrupting me. Little did they know…

Elias pointed. “See? Look at that evil smile.”

I shook my head. “Yeah, I’m so evil I’m going home alone tonight. Watch out! Lock up your men!”

“You won’t be alone,” Elias said. “There’s always Peppermint Bark.”

I dropped my head, smacking my forehead on the table.

“Wow, that Twelve Dogs of Christmas must pack a punch,” Taylor joked.

“Aw, Mase, I’m sorry. I hope Peppermint is at least making the place a little less lonely.”

“He’s great,” I muttered to the table. “Charlie loves him.”

“Charlie does, huh? Who is…”

“That’s Ford’s little girl,” Taylor said in far too pointed a voice as he patted my shoulder.

“Oh,” Elias said, seeming to catch on to the situation. “Well, uh, maybe you could bring her and Ford by the shelter?”

I raised my head. “Don’t encourage me. I shouldn’t be thinking this way about a client. It’s not professional.” I glanced sidelong at Taylor. “Right, boss?”

He grimaced. “Not your boss, but…not really, no. Not while you’re assisting him. Once you’ve concluded that business…”

I barked a laugh. “Then I can hopelessly crush all I want? Because we all know that isn’t going anywhere.”

“Then it’s harmless,” Elias said. “Cut yourself a break.”

“Maybe I should just take Joel up on that date he offered me.”

“Joel what? ” Taylor said indignantly. “What about Hayden?”

“No, not with him,” I said. “Maybe that Fistmas has gone to your head.”

“I don’t think that’s where it’s supposed to go,” Elias choked out through his laughter.

Taylor flipped us both the bird while I grabbed another beer.

“Winter Cheers,” I read off the label, “a wheat ale with subtle clove spice.”

“No way. I get Fistmas and you get Winter Cheers? ”

“Well, you got a boyfriend. What am I gonna do with a Fistmas?”

“Hook up with this guy Joel offered, I guess?”

“Nah, he’s already working with the matchmaker anyway. Did you know we had a matchmaker in this town?”

They both nodded as if it were old news.

“This town is wild! ”

“It sure is,” Elias said. “Maybe you should try it. Get your mind off Ford.”

I raised my eyebrows. “What about you? You gonna take your eye off the prize next door?”

Elias’s eyes widened. “No, no, no. That’s not— It’s nothing.”

“Mm-hmm. Sounds like it.”

Elias had a not-so-secret thing for his grouchy next-door neighbor.

“I’m gonna need another beer for this,” he muttered while Taylor and I exchanged grins.

Kody, the owner of the pub, happened to be passing by our table. He paused, a wide smile giving him a boyish expression, even with the mustache he was rocking. “Hey, guys. Enjoying the seasonal beers?”

“Oh, yeah, Taylor is loving the Fistmas. Right, Tay?”

Taylor rolled his eyes as Elias snickered.

Kody grinned. “That one is a bit much for me, but to each their own, right?”

“They’re all really good,” Elias said more seriously. “We were just about to get another round.”

Kody beamed. “They really are! I’m so glad you liked them.”

If the guy glowed any brighter, I’d have to shade my eyes. “You look happy tonight,” I said.

“Yeah, Kody, any reason for that grin?” Elias added. “You look like a kid on Christmas morning.”

Kody just laughed, though a faint pink tinged his cheeks. “Just in a good mood, I guess. I’ll send Indrani over with those drinks for you.”

He hustled off before we could ask him more questions.

“Wow, the wedding plans must be going well,” Taylor said.

“Yeah, I haven’t seen him that happy since he got engaged to Jena,” Elias added.

“All’s well that ends well, I guess?” I said. “But I thought we were going to talk about Elias’s happy ending with Roman.”

Elias groaned. “I was hoping you’d forgotten about that.”

Taylor laughed. “No such luck. It’s your turn in the hot seat.”

With Christmas season in full swing, it had been too long since we all got together. But relaxing with Elias and Taylor reminded me that I wasn’t really alone in this little town.

Sure, everywhere I turned there was a happy couple or a cute little family in matching mittens. But there were also those of us who lived here year-round, who kept this town, this festival, this community running.

Whether it was taking care of stray pets or dealing with city management or helping folks stay warm, we all had our roles to play. And they were all part of what made Christmas Falls a place worth being.

Even if it got a little lonely in my drafty house on cold winter nights.