Page 49 of Knot My Secret Santa

I could hardly sleep or eat, and every Hallmark Christmas movie made me cry. I missed Nathaniel. There was a gaping hole in my heart and no amount of festive cheer had helped to fill it.

Now that I didn’t have my heat messing with my every desire, I found that what my Omega genes were making me want was actually what I truly needed. I loved Nathaniel not because he was a compatible Alpha, but because he was the most wonderful, tender, caring, sexy as all hell man I’d ever known. And I had walked out on him.

I didn’t know how to go back and fix it either. I didn’t think I could. I still hadn’t even decided if I could go back to Donner Designs in the new year.

Bending over, I put my forehead on my arms on the kitchen island counter. I missed him so much. It hurt worse than the pain of being in heat.

“Avery? Are you okay, hon?” My mom bustled into the kitchen and placed a hand on my back.

I straightened and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just taking a moment to enjoy some quiet. Did you come to help with the napkins and plates? I think Dad got some of that cheese dip he likes for the garlic bread. I should warm that up for him.”

“That just means he’s going to have garlic breath all night.” Mom joked, and when I guess my fake smile didn’t pass her keen gaze, she wrapped me in a hug. “Honey, what’s really going on? You’ve been moping around since Sunday night. Usually you’re just as cheery as Noelle, and everyone knows she is super crazy when it comes to Christmas.”

I leaned against my mom. It would be so easy to spill everything, to have someone to talk to about what happened, but then to think of the disappointed look in her eyes. She might agree not to tell anyone else, but I didn’t want to burden her with that secret. Secrets were smothering, and I was suffocating under mine.

Maybe if I just shared a small bit. Not a lie, but enough to try to take a little weight off my chest. “Okay, so…” I released a long breath and found myself touching my shoulder where Nathaniel had bit me. “There was a guy.”

“I knew it!” My mom’s sudden exclamation startled me, but she quickly softened her expression and held my hands. “Sorry, dear. What has going on did feel like troubles of the heart. Christmas romances don’t usually make you cry that much. Is it that Kris fellow? The one you thought was your Secret Santa?”

It would be easy to say yes, but I didn’t want to bring Kris into this. He was too much of a nice guy. I shook my head. “Someone else. I thought maybe we could work out, and I really like him.” I loved him. Fuck, did I ever. “Yet since he has no family, he didn’t understand me wanting to be with family for the holidays and how much I love all of you. He kept trying to whisk me away and be the only one in my life. I don’t want to be with a man that doesn’t understand the importance of family.”

“I’m so proud of you knowing what you want in life. Family is important, and I love you so much that you stood up to him.” She squeezed my hands and my heart swelled with love for her. “It’s clear that you like this guy a lot or it wouldn’t be affecting you so. You should invite him over here. If he’s right for you, we can be his family too. If that’s what’s standing between you two, show him what family means. If he still doesn’t understand afterward, then he truly isn’t the man for you.”

If only it was that easy. If Nathaniel wasn’t my boss, I would do what she asked in a heartbeat. Yet the second he turned up, everyone would be horrified.Good girl Avery fucked her boss? Holy shit!

“I don’t think he would.” I shrugged and sighed. “I’ll eventually get over it. Right now, all I really want to do is eat pizza.” Speaking of which, why had no one brought anything into the kitchen? My mom would be cleaning all night if they got grease all over the living room. “The pizza came, right?”

“Well yes, I thought so.” My mom’s brows furrowed too. We grabbed the paper plates and napkins and exited the kitchen. Pizza boxes were stacked on the dining room table, but no one was there. It didn’t sound like anyone was in the house at all. “Where did everyone go?”

Hoots and laughter and, strangely, jingle bells rang from out front. My mom and I exchanged a puzzled look. We set down the plates and napkins and hurried to the foyer. We stuffed out feet into our boots and opened the door.

We were greeted by a reindeer.

It cocked its head as it regarded us and munched sedately on our wreath.

A man in a blue parka ran over. “Zena, I told you not to eat that!” He took the wreath away from the animal who huffed at him. “I’m so sorry. They’re well fed, but Zena likes to eat everything.”

What the hell was going on? I gaped at the scene before me. A big truck with an animal trailer was parked on the lawn, since the driveway was full of our family’s cars. The back of the trailer was open and there were a dozen reindeer milling about in our yard. My whole family was out there, petting the animals and taking photos. One of my littlest cousins yelled it was the best Christmas surprise ever.

My mom broke out in delighted laughter. “No, it’s okay. You can give that back to Zena. I’d love a picture of her eating it. It would be perfect for our Christmas card next year.”

“She’ll be more than happy to accommodate you, ma’am.” The man chuckled, and the second the real pine wreath was near Zena’s snout, she chomped on it.

Who managed to get reindeer to come to our house? I glanced at my dad, but he was doing a funny photo with Lukas, both of them with their hands up on their heads like antlers and a sleepy reindeer between them.

This was more of a Noelle surprise, but where was she?

As if on cue, Noelle rounded the trailer leading one young reindeer by its reins and her other arm around Nathaniel’s shoulders. I exhaled harshly, as if I’d been punched in the gut. My heart stuttered and suddenly raced hard in my chest.

Why was he here? I knew he was invited for Christmas tomorrow, but I didn’t expect him to show up, never mind for pizza on Christmas Eve.

Or, oh God, this reindeer thing, this was him. He brought reindeer to my family’s house.

Clearly taking my reaction for something else, the man in the parka smiled kindly at me. “It’s okay, miss. They’re docile animals. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

There was plenty to be afraid of. Nathaniel was at my house with my family. I didn’t know what to say or what to do. I just stood there as if I was scared stiff by a reindeer.

“That’s right,” my mom said in a baby talk voice. “These pretty animals are darlings. Isn’t that right, Zena?” She had her phone out, snapping pictures as the reindeer chowed down on her handmade wreath. “Perfect shot! The red bulb was right where her nose was. It’s Rudolph-tastic!”

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