The Snuggle is Real (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Mason

“I filled out the questionnaire like you asked, but if it’s too much, we’ll take any help we can get.”

I picked up the list, scanning over the food, apparel, and gift needs Crystal had written down for her three children.

“Hmm. There’s something missing here.”

“What?” She leaned forward to peer down at the paper in my hand. “I thought I got everything.”

“I don’t see any presents listed for Mom.”

“Oh.” She blushed. “I don’t need anything.”

I clucked. “This is an Adopt-A- Family program. It’s not only about the children, but all of you.”

Her eyes grew glassy. “That’s awfully kind, but I don’t want to sacrifice something they might need for me.”

“Don’t worry about that. We’ll prioritize.” I slid the paper back toward her. “Just add a few things for you, and I’ll be right back.”

I set a box of tissues on the corner of the desk and left Crystal alone, knowing she was struggling with the concept of asking for something for herself. Much as Ford had, I realized. Maybe not for the same reason, but they both put their children first.

That’s why I’d given him those Cocktail Hour tickets. I’d never intended to be his date. And then when I had been…

My face heated. I’d made a total fool of myself. Ford would probably never look me in the eye again, and I couldn’t blame him. I’d known all along that he wasn’t interested in men.

While he’d been a Holiday Hope Foundation client, my professional ethics had held me back. But once that was gone, my self-control had collapsed like a house of cards.

Crystal emerged a few minutes later, red-eyed with the form in hand. She smiled tentatively. “Here you go. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I know this program isn’t just for anyone.” She blushed. “I’m sorry I put you on the spot about it last week.”

“Hey, that’s why I’m here. I’d always prefer you ask, even if I do hate to say no sometimes.”

She chuckled. “Well, if there’s anything on the list you need to say no to, I completely understand.”

I squeezed her arm. “You have a good day, and leave the rest to me.”

She walked out with a bit more bounce to her step, and my chest warmed. This was why I did the job. And it was really thanks to Ford I could help Crystal.

I scanned the list again. Oy. A family of four required a bit more legwork though, and this late in the season, I was going to be asking a lot of local businesses.

I tucked the form in my pocket, grabbed my keys, and locked up the office.

First stop, Santa’s Workshop. After all, kids needed toys on Christmas morning. Then I’d swing by Mistletoe Movies, Dancing Sugar Plums, Jingle Bites, and Nutcrackers to see what else I could drum up.

“Hey there.” A handsome man in casual business attire greeted me when I entered the toy store. “Can I help you find something amazing for Christmas morning?”

“Oh. Actually, I’m here to ask a pretty big favor.”

His eyebrows drew together. “Which is?”

I stepped forward to shake his hand. “I’m Mason West, director of the Holiday Hope Foundation.”

“James Willoughby. I run this shop with my grandfather.”

I glanced around at the toys, marveling at the craftsmanship evident in each piece. There were handmade train sets on little wooden tracks, extravagant dollhouses, race cars, and jewelry boxes. Even some exquisite-looking checkers and chess sets.

“You all do amazing work. The nonprofit has adopted a family in need—it’s kind of late in the season, I know, and I need the help of some local business sponsors. Let me tell you a little of what I’m thinking…”

I gave James the same pitch I’d given Griff back when I’d asked for Ford and Charlie. This was a much bigger ask. The time that went into these gifts was by no means small, much less the talent.

“I realize that getting gifts from Amazon would be cheaper.”

James laughed. “Yeah, and a heck of a lot less work for me.”

I nodded. “But we want to give this family a special touch. I understand there’s a limit to what you can offer.”

“I don’t know. From a business perspective, we already have all the business we can handle. This time of year is so busy and?—”

“We’ll do it.” A gorgeous Timothée Chalamet lookalike emerged from a nearby aisle and slipped an arm around James’s waist. “It’s Christmas.”

“Ezra,” James said in a warning tone.

“ James ,” he shot right back. “You know your grandpa would want you to say yes.”

James sighed. “You’ll both work my fingers to the bone.”

“Aw, you suffer so much.” Ezra shot me a playful smile. “Get us some details and we’ll see what we can do.”

The shelves were stocked with plenty of toys. I wouldn’t need to ask for any custom work. I jotted a short list for them, added my business card, and left.

I glanced back as I stepped out of the door.

James and Ezra were locked in a fiery kiss. Whew.

Good thing no children were in the shop.

Now, on to the next business. I could only hope it would be as successful. Though, it was probably too much to ask it provide the same eye candy.

Saturday, I went out early to hit more shops—and pick up some coffee and pastries at Jolly Java.

Ford would be coming by the house to start work, and my nerves had me more wired than the caffeine I was ordering from Rocco.

“Business seems to have picked up a bit,” I said as Rocco filled a bag with chai rolls for me.

“Probably helped that I stopped serving goat cheese,” he said with a sheepish smile.

“Are you kidding? I love goat cheese.”

“Right!” he exclaimed. “It’s delicious. But perhaps it was a step too far after I’d removed the pumpkin spice latte.”

My eyes widened. “You didn’t?”

He laughed, brown eyes sparkling. “It’s back, I swear. I’ll never make that mistake again!”

I grinned. “I’m new in Christmas Falls, but it’s pretty clear they love their traditions.”

“They sure do.”

I made it home with time to spare, so I arranged the rolls on a plate and set out the coffees—and hot chocolate I’d gotten for Charlie. I rearranged my table setting a few times, wiped down my already clean counters twice, and finally Peppermint Bark yipped excitedly at the door.

I rushed over, heart skittering at the thought of seeing Ford again after what happened. My stomach tied itself in knots, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to eat any of the rolls I’d bought.

My doorbell rang.

I forced myself to wait an extra few seconds—to Pepper’s dismay—before opening the door. Didn’t want Ford to think I was standing here waiting.

“Hey, good morning.” I stepped aside. “Come in.”

“Hi.” Ford guided Charlie in ahead of him. “I hope it’s okay that Charlie came too? She was eager to see Peppermint Bark.”

“Of course. I planned on it.” I waved toward the dining room. “I’ve set out coffee and pastries. I got hot chocolate for Charlie.”

Ford stiffened. “You didn’t need to do that. I’m here to do a job for you, not have breakfast.”

“We need to talk about the work that needs done anyway, right? I just thought…”

I didn’t know what I thought. That Ford would want to sit down and chat like old friends? That was stupid.

“I love hot chocolate!” Charlie said from where she’d crouched to rub Pepper’s belly, breaking the awkward tension.

I smiled down at her. “I know you do. That’s why I got it.”

“I s’pose we do need to make a list of projects and supplies needed before I can get started,” Ford said.

“Exactly! I can run through what I’ve done so far so you know what messes I’ve made that you need to clean up.”

Ford laughed. “I’m sure you haven’t done that badly.”

My gaze met his. “I’m a mess, Ford. Might as well be honest about it. Honesty is always the best policy, right?”

He broke eye contact, jaw tightening. “Right.”

I drew a breath. Time to face the music. “I’m honestly sorry about?—”

Ford brushed past me to pull out a chair at the table. “Let’s just focus on the work.”

“All right.”

Charlie sat down and tore into a roll, while Ford seemed more intent on tearing his apart bit by bit. His attitude was unsettling, but I’d brought it on myself. He was probably uncomfortable around me.

I grabbed a notebook and made a list of projects, how far I’d gotten into them, and supplies. I’d imagined this being more of a collaborative discussion, but Ford wasn’t much for conversation today.

I slid it across the table to him. “Take a look at that while I show Charlie a project I’ve got for her.” I paused. “As long as you don’t mind me giving her something to do?”

“As long as it’s safe.”

“Yes, of course.”

He nodded once, dropping his gaze to the list and picking up the pencil to make a note next to one of the items. “Go right ahead.”

“C’mon, Charlie.” I walked her back to the living room, Pepper hot on our heels.

“Is my project to keep your dog busy? He seems like he wants to play.”

I chuckled. “Well, yes, that’s your big project for the day, but I thought maybe you could help with this too.”

I opened the coat closet and dragged out a plastic tub. Christmas lights spilled over the top edge, cords jumbled together.

“I want to hang these along the front porch, but they’re all knotted up. Do you think you could untangle them for me?”

Charlie looked dubious. “I can try.”

“Trying is all I ask. It’s not too hard if you’re patient.” I squatted down and worked at unwinding a few strands. “See? You just have to keep following the line, untangling it, then working a little farther along.”

“It’s kind of like a puzzle,” Charlie said.

“It is,” I agreed. “A fun little brain twister. Just like these cords are twisted up.”

“If I work hard, will you pay me like you’re paying Dad. I want to buy him a present.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Dad, huh?”

Her cheeks went pink. “I mean Ford.”

“Can I let you in on a little secret?”

“What’s that?”

“I think he would love it if you called him Dad.”

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm. That’s probably the best Christmas gift you can give him. But, of course I’ll pay you something for your work so you can get him a present too. It’s very sweet of you to think of him.”

“Well, I might have to leave before Christmas, and I think he’s a little sad about it. I want to at least leave him with a gift.”

“But I thought you were staying until closer to the new year?”

“Me too.” She shrugged. “My mom called. She might get out early. Ford is trying to convince her to stay with him, but she might not do it.”

“Oh. That would be really nice for you all if it worked out.”

My throat tightened, and I had to swallow with effort. I always knew Ford wasn’t for me, but an ugly, squirmy feeling rose in me at the thought of him reconciling with Charlie’s mom.

It would be the best thing for Charlie, of course. Maybe Ford too. He’d have a family again.

“I better get your dad started on his projects.”

“Okay.”

I stood and walked back into the dining room. Ford glanced up from the list. “I should make a run to the hardware store.”

I nodded mutely. “Go then.”

His brow furrowed. “Are you okay?”

I forced a smile. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

He cocked his head. “I don’t know, but you don’t seem…”

“I’m just real sorry about what happened Thursday night,” I blurted. “It won’t happen again.”

“You don’t need to apologize for anything.”

“I know, but I can tell you’re not really comfortable around me today, and?—”

“It’s not you, it’s?—”

I carried on, needing to get it out. Needing to put this crush behind me—and all the awkward, complicated feelings rushing through my body—once and for all.

“I’m meeting with the local matchmaker. He’s going to set me up with a date.” I smiled tightly. “A real one, that is.”

Ford blinked. “You’re letting Nick set you up?”

“Is that his name? I guess so. We haven’t had our meeting yet. It’s scheduled for later this week.”

I was bullshitting. I hadn’t set any meeting yet. But I would. Because I couldn’t afford to feel things for Ford.

It was bad enough when he was a straight guy I couldn’t have. But I refused to be obsessed with a man who was in a relationship with someone else.

“I didn’t know you wanted a boyfriend badly enough for all that,” Ford said.

I shrugged. “I’m new in town, and it’s Christmas. Is it so wrong to want to spend it with someone?”

“No, of course not.”

“Someone who’s interested in men,” I added. “Who wants—” I bit down on my lip. “Well, just someone who wants the same things I do, I guess.”

Ford stood and walked toward the entryway to the living room. Checking on Charlie, probably. He really was such a good dad.

He spoke without looking back at me. “You deserve that, Mason. You deserve everything you want.”

“Well, I doubt I’ll get that,” I said with a little laugh. “But I have to try.”

“I guess so.” He waved the list. “I’m going to get started on this.”

Then he strode out without another look my way.

Which was good. The more he shut me out, the easier it would be to move on.

Still, I pulled out my phone to look up the matchmaking service. It was time to make good on the fibs I’d told Ford—and before I lost my nerve.