The Snuggle is Real (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

Mason

Ford and I walked down my driveway, the snow glittering under the warm glow of my porch lights.

“Are you sure you want to leave your family?” Ford asked in a low voice.

Charlie stood on her tiptoes by his truck, tugging open the back door of the extended cab.

“I’m not leaving my family.” My eyes met his, heart quickening. It was much too soon to tell him that he and Charlie were every bit as much my family as my mother and brother—but it was true. “I’m just spending the night with my two favorite people.”

He smiled. “Your favorite, huh? We hit the lottery.”

I chuckled. “I don’t want to miss Christmas morning with you. Besides…” I lowered my voice even more. “How else will you sneak Santa’s gift in? It’s amazing, by the way. She’ll absolutely adore it.”

Ford grinned, looking more carefree than I’d ever seen him. He was cute when he smiled big like that, more boyish and less growly lumberjack. As hot as he was with his strong jaw tight and his eyes intense, I preferred this version. The happy, less-stressed Ford. I hoped to see much more of him in the future.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you…”

“Yeah?”

“You’re not the Secret Santa, are you?”

I laughed. “What?”

“It’s just that when I went to get the dollhouse, it wasn’t on the store floor, and I thought it was gone. But then it turned out someone had reserved it for me, so they’d hold it until I could buy it. There was a Secret Santa note, and you know how much I wanted this for Charlie, so…”

Oh, shit, he was serious. I shook my head. “It’s not me. I wish I could take credit for every good thing that happens for you, but I can’t.”

He blew out a breath. “Good. That’s good.”

I raised an eyebrow. “It is?”

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to take care of me, even now. I’m not dating the Holiday Hope Foundation. I’m dating you, and I want us to be equals.”

“Oh, we are.” I kissed him softly. “Just because you needed help once doesn’t mean I think you can’t handle yourself, Ford Donnelly. Or handle me.” I wiggled my brows.

He grinned, seeming relieved. “Good to know. Maybe I’ll handle you later.”

“I hope so.”

“Meet you at my place.” He gave my ass a quick squeeze, then went to check Charlie’s seat belt and close her door before climbing in behind the steering wheel.

I veered toward my own car, where the massive dollhouse was stashed in the backseat with a sheet thrown over it. I slid into the cold seat and started the car, shivering as I reversed out of the drive.

Thankfully, it was a small town, and five minutes later I was pulling up to the curb in front of Ford’s place. There was an older-model hatchback in the driveway.

Who…

I got out of the car just time to see a woman step forward to embrace Ford under the porch lights. She had shoulder-length blond hair cut in chunky layers that looked good even when they were wind-tossed.

Charlie clung to Ford’s hand, hesitant.

“Aren’t you going to give your mama a hug? I missed you!”

My heart thumped hard. Of course. This must be LuAnne.

She’d gotten out of rehab before Christmas— right before Christmas—just as she’d predicted.

I reached them just as Charlie stepped into her hug. LuAnne squeezed her tight, rocking side to side. “There’s my girl.”

“You didn’t call,” Ford said. “We could have been home sooner.”

“That’s all right. I haven’t been waiting long. I had to pick up my car from a friend who kept it for me. I packed most of my things in there in case I lost my apartment. Good thing too because those assholes changed the locks on me. As if anyone else wants to rent that shithole.”

Ford winced at the language, but Charlie didn’t even blink, probably used to it.

“Let’s go inside where it’s warm. You want some hot chocolate?”

She scoffed. “No, thanks. I’ll take some coffee though. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.”

“We can’t go tonight!” Charlie burst out.

LuAnne looked down at her. “Sure, we can, sweetie. You can sleep while I drive.”

“But it’s Christmas Eve,” Charlie said, sounding heartbroken. “We’ve got the Christmas tree all set up. And Mason’s here.”

“Mason?” She glanced at me.

“Hi.” I extended a hand to shake. “I’m Mason.”

“Hi,” she said, flicking a glance between me and Ford, clearly confused as to what my role might be.

Ford cleared his throat. “It’s late, Lu. You’ve got nowhere to rush off to if they changed the locks on your apartment. Just take a beat and figure out your next move.”

He was attempting to sound casual, but I could feel the tension radiating off his body.

She sighed. “I’ve got plenty of friends, Ford. I don’t need you to rescue me.”

“You’re staying tonight at least,” he said firmly. “Charlie needs to get to bed if Santa is gonna come.”

“I’ll take her,” I offered, figuring they could use a few minutes to talk alone. “We can read a bedtime story, Charlie. How’s that sound?”

“Good,” she said quickly.

We went into the house ahead of Ford and LuAnne. Charlie was eager to go to bed, and I wasn’t sure if she was excited for Christmas or just hoping that her mom would be less likely to insist on leaving once she was tucked in.

While she went into the bathroom to get ready, I drifted into the hallway, catching snatches of the conversation.

“…my decision.”

“You need time to get your shit together.”

“I’m sober?—”

“You’re in recovery,” he cut in. “Which means low stress, right? It’ll be a hell of a lot less stressful to stay here awhile.”

How long was a while? Did he mean for the holidays? Did he mean for the next month or…for good? He loved Charlie so much. He told me he wasn’t interested in reconciling with LuAnne, but if that was the price of keeping Charlie here and safe, would he change his mind?

The bathroom door opened, and I darted back into Charlie’s bedroom to tuck her in.

“Do you think she’ll make us leave first thing in the morning?”

“And miss out on presents and good food? No way.”

“I want to say goodbye to Peppermint Bark and Grandma Dottie and your mom and your brother and Ash.”

I smiled at her lengthy list. “We’ll make sure you do, okay? I know it’s hard when a decision isn’t in your hands.”

She nodded, eyes glassy. “I love my mom.”

“Of course you do,” I said, rubbing her arm.

“But…what if I don’t want to go?” she whispered, face scrunching up. Her big brown eyes filled with tears, and my heart squeezed hard in my chest.

“Aw, honey.” I brushed her tears away. “Do you want me to talk to your mom and Ford about that?”

She sniffled. “Mom won’t listen.”

“Maybe not.” I stroked her hair back. “I don’t know your mom that well, but I know Ford loves you, and no matter what happens he won’t stop loving you, okay? He’ll always be there for you. I will too.”

“Really?”

“We’ll come see you every chance we get.”

I wanted to promise so much more. I wanted to tell her she could stay forever. That she could be Ford’s daughter. Maybe be mine too one day. But I couldn’t offer her false hope. LuAnne held all the cards here, and ultimately, she had to decide what life she wanted for her daughter.

“Sleep now.” I kissed her forehead. “Santa will come soon, and in the morning, we’ll all open presents together. It’ll be a good day, okay?”

“Okay.” Her eyes closed. “Love you, Mason.”

“Love you too.”

I made my way down the hall toward the dining room. The voices had simmered down to a soft murmur that sounded more peaceful. Hopefully that meant LuAnne had agreed to stay awhile.

Just as long as she’s not reeling in Ford again.

My stomach squirmed with guilt. Charlie would be much happier if they did reconcile. It was selfish of me to want LuAnne to go so that Ford was all mine.

“I can’t believe you had to hire a nanny just to handle Charlie for a few weeks,” LuAnne said with a laugh just as I reached the dining room.

“What? I don’t have a nanny.”

“A babysitter then? Isn’t that what Mason is?”

“Hell no.” Ford glanced up, catching my eye. I waited on the threshold of the room, unsure if I should interrupt.

He held out a hand to me, and I crossed to his side. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce him properly outside.”

“You were too busy insisting I let Charlie stay for Christmas.”

“The rest of Christmas break,” he clarified. “You need a job and a home and a plan before you take Charlie.”

She groaned. “God, you’re such a man. You have her a few weeks and now you’re the expert? She’s not that easy.” She waved a hand at me. “Which obviously, you must know since you needed help.”

“Mason is not the help,” Ford growled, clearly irritated. “He’s my boyfriend.”

She blinked. “Your what now?”

I held out my hand to her for the second time. “Hi, I’m Mason West. Ford and I are dating.”

She shook my hand as her gaze ping-ponged between us.

“You’ve got to be shitting me,” she said to Ford. “You’re gay? There’s no way. You liked sex way too much?—”

“I’m not gay,” he interrupted. “I’m bi, and it’s new, okay? Mason is the first guy I’ve ever been with.”

She tilted her head, considering me. “Hmm.”

“What?” I asked, braced for an insult.

“Nothing, just… You’re his type. I can see it now.”

I laughed nervously. “Um, I’m a man. That was hardly his type.”

“No, but the hair. The freckles. The lips.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Especially the lips, am I right, Ford?”

I glanced sidelong to see him stroking his beard, a blush just visible above the edge of hair. He had mentioned liking my mouth that first night. I just thought it was easier for him to compliment my mouth than something more masculine, but maybe…

LuAnne laughed, sounding delighted. “Oh, this is too good. Now, I’m glad I agreed to hang around a couple of days.”

“Weeks,” he corrected.

She waved a hand. “Whatever. You know what I mean.” She smirked at us. “This is going to be fun to watch.”

Ford rolled his eyes. “Okay, well, Mason and I have some wrapping to do. You can join us, or you can go to bed.”

“Where will I sleep? I’d share your bed, but…” She waved toward me. “Apparently, my old spot is taken.”

“Very taken,” I confirmed.

I would offer to go home, but what would that solve? I didn’t want Ford and his ex sharing a bed, and there was nowhere else except the couch whether I was here or not.

“How about I call Dottie and see if she minds you using her guest room?”

“Dottie’s still kicking, huh?” She smiled, seeming more relaxed than when she’d first arrived. “It would be fun to catch up, I guess. She was always a hoot.”

Ford pulled out his phone to make the call, and a few minutes later, LuAnne had gone next door.

“Should we bring in the gifts?” Ford asked.

Aside from the dollhouse, Ford had picked up a few small things to stuff Charlie’s stocking, and I’d bought a gift for her, too.

I nodded. “Yeah, but Ford, we need to talk.”

He winced. “I know having my ex around for a couple of weeks isn’t ideal, but it’s for Charlie. I swear to you I’m not?—”

I pressed my fingers over his lips. “Not that.”

He raised his eyebrows, and I dropped my hand. “Then what?”

“Charlie wants to stay, Ford. She told me in the bedroom.”

“And she will. Lu agreed to hang out a while.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s what she meant. I think she wants to stay…for good. Like, live with you instead of her mom.”

He sucked in a breath. “Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure? She didn’t say it in those exact words, but yeah…” I nodded. “She wants to stay here with you and—” I stopped, biting my lip.

“And what?”

“And maybe me too?” I suggested tentatively. “I mean, I don’t know if she wants that, but I do. If you can get LuAnne to agree, if Charlie stays, you wouldn’t have to do it alone. I…I love her, Ford. I…I love?—”

He grasped my arms, tugging me close, his eyes burning into mine. “What? You love what?”

“You,” I whispered.

His mouth landed on mine, tongue sweeping inside. I melted against his broad chest, clinging to his waist as he took possession of my mouth with an aggressive kiss. The sort of kiss that said I belonged to him.

“I already loved you, but you caring this much about Charlie? It makes me love you so damn much more.”

“Does that mean you’ll talk to LuAnne?” I asked. “Do you think she’d ever go for it? You keeping Charlie?”

“I don’t know,” he said, pensive. “LuAnne has said that Charlie is her reason to keep it together, but clearly it didn’t work so well in the past. She’s got a lot of stuff to figure out, and I don’t want Charlie living with that kind of uncertainty.”

“I know.” I tucked my face into his neck, hugging him. “It’s Lu’s choice, but it should be Charlie’s too, shouldn’t it?”

“Yeah.” He held me close. “If this is what Charlie wants, then I’ll fight for her. I have to try.”

I drew back. “We will fight for her. Both of us together.”

He smiled faintly. “But not right now. Right now, we’ve got presents to wrap. A dollhouse to place under the tree. And…” He traced my lips. “Kissing to do.”

I smirked. “LuAnne was right about the lips, huh?”

“Shush,” he said with a smile, then bent down and kissed me.