Page 29 of Single All the Way

“That sounds like a threat,” I said, but I couldn’t help smiling. Maybe it was the nickname. I’d been called Em plenty but never Ems.

“It is. You’re going to have fun or else.”

That made me laugh. “I didn’t know how scary you are when I agreed to stay here. You should come with some kind of Christmas-obsessed warning.”

“Now you know.”

As I dried the last pan, he wiped the sink down. When the kitchen was sparkling, Ben took out the dwindling cookie supply and offered me one.

“You’re sharing the llama’s stash?” I greedily accepted the cookie, llama be damned.

“Sugar’s closed tomorrow, but I’ll have Friday and Saturday to buy more.”

I leaned against the cabinets and ate the cookie, thinking about the guaranteed insanity of the next few days. The next few weeks.

In theory, I agreed with Ben that an overdose of holiday events could be just what my kiddos needed, especially Skyler. Xavier was already settling into the Holloway routine. He loved living with his buddy, Ruby, taking the bus to and from school, and helping with the animals. He’d taken to the changes like a duck to water.

“So…tomorrow’s Turkey Day on steroids, then the tree-lighting ceremony in the evening?” I asked after devouring the last bite.

Ben opened the oven to check on the pie, then closed it with an approving nod. “I’ll take the kids shopping downtown on Friday. They love the scavenger hunt the shops on the square put together.”

“Friday’s Black Friday. We have a product sale at the salon. There’s no way I can get away.”

“I’ll take Xavier and Sky with us. The clinic is closed until Monday, barring any emergencies. They can pick out gifts for you.”

I’d planned to take them to work with me. Shopping and scavenger hunting with Ben and his kids would be so much better. “You’re sure you’re up for double the children?”

“I can’t wait.” He was grinning like a kid in a candy store, his eyes lighting up, leaving me no doubt that he was into this and he wouldn’t mind my kids tagging along.

Damn, did that get to me deep in my chest. I was overcome with a mix of relief and gratitude. Add that on top of the fatigue and stress of the day, and I found it hard to get words out. With my stupid eyes tearing up yet again, I merely nodded, pressing my lips together to hold it all in.

“Hey.” Ben stepped in front of me and peered down at me. “Emerson?”

I wiped at my eyes before they could spill over, then met his gaze. “I’m okay. Just…overwhelmed. Your idea to keep the kids busy is probably exactly what they need. I need to figure out how to fit it all in.”

In spite of my efforts, one traitorous tear plummeted down my cheek.

Ben caught it with his finger and wiped it away. He took a gentle hold of my upper arms and leaned down to force eye contact. “We’re in this together this year. You don’t have to do it alone. Partners in Christmas mayhem.”

I couldn’t help a laugh. “Mayhem might be an understatement.”

“We’ve got Grandma Berty on our side too. The three of us will tag team. If there’s something you can’t make because of work, we can cover and vice versa.”

“I have Mondays off,” I said, thinking that might be a day when I could pull my weight.

“It’s all going to work out,” he said. His eyes held kindness and determination. “We’ll get Skyler through this tough time together. Partners. I already love your kids, Ems. I want what’s best for them too.”

I studied him closely, those compassionate, handsome blue eyes. What I saw was straightforward honesty. He meant what he said.

“You’re a good man, Ben Holloway,” I whispered.

“We go way back. We dissected frogs together. Come here.”

He pulled me in for a hug, and I surrendered to it. I wound my arms around his middle and held on, breathed in. I couldn’t help noticing his scent, masculine and clean with a hint of pie. It made me feel comfortable, secure.

We held on for several seconds, a silent shared moment where we seemed to come down from a traumatic day as well as gird our loins for the coming chaos.

With my head nestled against his shoulder, I could feel his heart beating. Gradually I became more aware of him as a man, his strong arms, solid chest, and that alluring man scent that awakened something different in me.

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