The Snuggle is Real (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

Ford

“Here you go, Charlie. Hang up this little angel for me, sweetie.”

Charlie took the ceramic ornament from Dottie’s hands and skipped over to the tree I’d helped set up in front of her front window.

I chuckled. “She never gets enough of this. We already set up our own tree.”

“Mm-hmm. With Mason’s help. I heard.”

Dottie’s tone was layered with subtext I didn’t appreciate.

“Charlie wanted him to stay,” I countered. “She likes him.”

“Right. She likes him,” Dottie said, her eyes twinkling in a way that made me suspicious.

Charlie came over, and Dottie handed her another ornament to hang, this one a little wooden reindeer.

“Mason’s a nice guy, Dottie,” I said. “One of the nicest guys I’ve met, but?—”

My cell phone rang, saving me from finishing that sentence. Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to say. I wasn’t even sure if Dottie was implying what I thought she was implying.

Maybe I was projecting.

That moment in Mason’s guest room had gotten a little…weird.

We’d stood too close. Teased too much. Being with Mason wasn’t like hanging out with other guys. It was confusing.

I answered my phone, glad for the interruption. “Hey, Logan.”

“Hey, Griff asked me to give you a call. They’re looking for an extra set of hands over at the Festival Hall.”

“Really?” My heart skipped. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem. They need you to tear down all the vendor booths and help the volunteers load up. The whole place has to be converted for the tree festival. There was a wiring issue over in Griff’s office, and their regular guy is busy with that right now, so…”

“Oh. Oh. They need me now?”

“Ideally. It doesn’t have to all be finished tonight, but the festival runs on a tight schedule. They don’t want to get behind. It’d be like a set of dominoes falling, you know?”

“Right, uh…”

I glanced over at Charlie, hesitating.

Dottie patted my thigh. “We’re just fine for a while if you need to go work. Charlie, you don’t mind hanging out with Grandma Dottie, do you?”

“We have to finish the tree,” Charlie said.

“That’s right.” Dottie beamed. “And afterward, we’ll stuff ourselves with some of that peanut brittle my friend Stella brought me. How’s that sound?”

Charlie sought out my eyes. “I’m not supposed to ruin my dinner. Right, Ford?”

“That’s right. Maybe keep it to a few treats and I’ll be home soon.”

“Okay!” Charlie turned to Dottie. “What ornament should I hang up next?”

Dottie selected a little sparkly star for her to hang. I lifted the phone back to my ear, relief sweeping through me.

If Charlie had been nervous about staying here, I’d have passed on the job, but it would have been a lost opportunity. This could be my chance to impress Griff and get more work in the future.

Even if old Mr. Jones didn’t retire, he was no spring chicken. He might need an assist now and then.

“I’ll be there ASAP, Logan. Can you let Griff know?”

“Sure will,” Logan said. “Thanks, man.”

“No, thank you. I owe you one.”

“I remember what it was like, trolling for work,” Logan said. “I also remember what it was like when I realized I didn’t want to chase seasonal jobs from one place to another anymore. I got your back.”

It took about ten minutes to say my goodbyes, kiss Charlie on the head, and drive my old truck over to the Festival Museum where the Arts and Crafts Fair ran.

When I entered, the vendors were in a state of tear-down chaos.

About half the booths were empty, the vendors having cleared out. Others were in the process of packing plastic totes with their candles, wreaths, ornaments, and soaps. A few hold-outs hadn’t touched their displays, hoping to catch the very last few customers wandering the fair.

Mr. Jones came my way. “You’re my guy?”

“I’m your guy.”

“Good. Grab a dolly and help the vendors get their inventory out of here. The sooner it’s cleared out, the easier it’ll be to take down the large displays.”

“Okay, will do.”

“I’m still dealing with this problem next door, but I’ll check back when I can.”

“Got it. So once the vendors are out…”

“Fold up the tables and chairs. Stack ’em against the far wall for now. We’ll dismantle the larger anchor displays last. Those require a little more effort.”

“Got it.” I headed for the dolly parked by the back entrance, which was propped open. I wheeled it to the nearest table, where a silver-haired woman was packing away sock monkeys.

“Those are adorable,” I said.

She smiled. “Started making them for my grandkids. They loved them so much, I got the bug and started making more. It’s a hobby that’s gotten out of hand.”

I laughed. “Well, I’m sure that hobby is making a lot of kids happy. My little girl would sure adore one.”

“Well, here.” She dug into her box and came up with a miniature sock monkey. “On the house.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.”

She waved a hand. “The fair is over anyhow, and I’m hoping that dolly means you’re gonna help this poor old lady move all these boxes?”

“It sure does.”

“Then take it for your girl. Merry Christmas.”

“That’s very kind.” I tucked the toy into the breast pocket of my flannel jacket, then reached for the first large box.

The load of stuffed monkeys ended up being the easiest one that day. I helped another vendor carry heavy portable fireplaces to a waiting trailer. Another had dozens of delicate ornaments that looked as if they’d break if I sneezed too hard near them.

But eventually, the building cleared out. It wasn’t until I’d worked my way to the far end that I spotted Mason.

He stood closing up a box at a six-foot table. Mrs. Lil sat behind it, her knitting needles clacking while they talked companionably.

A second large box filled with coats sat by Mason’s feet. Scarves and hats filled another. Holiday Hope Foundation brochures fanned across the table along with a neat stack of aid applications.

Signage behind them read: Winter Coat & Toy Drive.

Always working. Always helping others.

I took a step forward, a smile tugging at my lips, then stopped as a mother with three little ones hustled up to the table.

“You’re not leaving yet, are you?”

Mason turned toward her. “The fair is closing down, but we’re still here. What can I help you with?”

She hesitated, biting her bottom lip. I shouldn’t be eavesdropping.

“I heard there was some kind of new Adopt-A-Family program for the holidays?”

“Oh.” Mason’s face tightened. “Where did you hear that? The program is still in the testing phase, so unfortunately, we’re not taking applicants.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped. “My hairdresser told me, and her waitress told her, and I think a chocolate-maker mentioned something to her? Or maybe it was the baker?” She waved her hands. “I don’t rightly know. Gossip gets around.”

“It sure does.” Mason picked up a brochure and an application. “Here’s information on the programs available. We’ll help however we can.”

She looked down. “This is just a few things. They’ll help, but I was really hoping…” She trailed off, casting sad eyes at her kids.

She held a two-year-old girl on her hip, a little boy drove a car back and forth at her feet, and the oldest—about eight—stood quietly at her side.

Could she hear everything her mom wasn’t saying? Did she understand she wouldn’t be getting a good Christmas without help?

My heart twisted. Something Charlie said to me flooded back.

One time when Mama was between jobs, we had to move. After we moved, Santa didn’t come. Mama said he must not have had our new address.

Mason looked gutted. “I can see what we can figure out. Unfortunately, that program is maxed out.”

Maxed out on Charlie and me.

“We can take a look at our resources though,” Mason was saying. “I don’t want you to think there’s nothing we can offer.”

“Thank you for trying,” she said. “I’ll, uh, just fill this form out?”

He nodded. “Bring it to my office tomorrow. It’s right next door. We can have a nice sit-down and figure something out.”

“Okay. Come on, kids! Time to head home.”

“Aw, Mom, we didn’t even get anything,” the oldest said.

I darted forward, without thinking, and handed her a little sock monkey. “One of the vendors left it behind.”

“What do you say to the nice man?”

“Thanks,” the little girl said.

Charlie wouldn’t be getting a sock monkey, but I had a feeling this kiddo needed it even more. I’d just picked up some work. I’d save it for Christmas. It’d be fine. It had to be, somehow.

Because I already knew what I was going to do.

As the family went out the door, I turned to Mason.

“Give my spot to them.”

“What?”

“The Adopt-A-Family.”

He shook his head. “Ford, I promised to help you with Charlie. It’s hard to say no. I hate not being able to help everyone, but our resources are finite.”

“So give her our spot,” I said. “I got some work today. You’ve already given us so much. A tree and all these festival tickets.”

“I’ll find a way to help you both.”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Stop being so stubborn,” Mason said, exasperated. “I’m not bailing on you and Charlie, okay? I can’t just walk away. I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Mason stared at me, his eyes intense. “I-I…made a promise,” he repeated, his voice weak. “You need help with Charlie.”

“Not if I find more work. I just need a few more odd jobs.”

“It’s not that simple. There’s no guarantee you’ll get those.”

I couldn’t deny that, but everything in me insisted this was the right thing to do.

We stared at each other, at an impasse, until Mrs. Lil piped up.

“Mason, don’t you need help getting your house ready to host your family?”

He turned. “Wha—yes, I do.”

“And Ford, aren’t you a handy guy searching for work?”

“Yes, I am.”

“So, perhaps it’s not as complicated as you think,” Mrs. Lil said.

Slowly, she stood and packed her knitting supplies into a tote bag. “Tit for tat.”

I raised an eyebrow at Mason. He cocked his head.

“If I hired you to do some work for me, it’d be enough for what you need?” Mason asked tentatively. “I really could use the help.”

“Yes, definitely. If—if you can afford it? I’ll give you a good rate. I don’t need that much. I’ll try to pick up more jobs with the festival too.”

Mason nodded slowly. “Maybe it could work. We’ll have to iron out some details. I want to be sure you’ll be okay.”

I grasped his hand. “Mason, I’m more okay than that family. Help them. It’s what you do best.”

His lips tugged into a reluctant smile. “You’re determined to convince me, aren’t you?”

“I saw your face. You don’t want to turn her away.”

“No. I was, uh, planning to make up the difference. Out of my own pocket if I had to.”

“Well, now you’ll get some house improvements in the bargain. That sounds like a better deal?”

He laughed lightly. “I guess so.”

“Well, I’m heading out, dearies,” Mrs. Lil said.

“Thanks for your help,” Mason said, accepting a kiss on the cheek.

“You’re very welcome.” Mrs. Lil patted my arm as she made her way around the table. “Will I see either of you at the Cocktail Hour tomorrow evening?”

“I don’t know about me, but I gave Ford two tickets.”

“Ah.” I rubbed at the back of my neck, heat prickling. “I should probably give them back. I never found time to get a date.”

“ Or you could just go together,” Mrs. Lil said, a glint in her eye. “Might give you a chance to work out all those details. I’m sure Dottie wouldn’t mind watching Charlie.”

“Oh, um…” Mason said, eyes averting to avoid mine as pink stole across his cheeks.

It really was cute how easily he blushed.

“I guess we could.” I paused, thinking of that confusing, flirty moment in his guest room. “As friends, that is.”

“As friends,” Mason agreed with a nod.

“Well, my work here is done,” Mrs. Lil said with a chuckle. “See you later, boys.”

I tucked my hands into my pockets. “Speaking of jobs, I better…”

“Yes, go ahead,” Mason said. “I can manage a few boxes on my own.”

“Nah.” I grabbed the box he’d just picked up and set it on the dolly, then stacked the other two on top of it. “It’s time you let me help you for a change. If I’m gonna do work around your house, you’ll need to get used to it.”

“Used to you in my house,” he said faintly. “Yeah, I’ll get to work on that.”

I shot him a grin. “Look on the bright side. Charlie and Pepper can babysit each other.”

Mason threw back his head and laughed.

Time seemed to freeze—or maybe that was just the breath caught in my throat—as I tried to understand the fluttering in my gut and the warmth in my chest.

Mason West really was as adorable as Charlie, and I didn’t know what to do with that.