Page 45 of A Tinsel Tale

“Hi,” he says. “I might be getting a baby thither sometime. Mom says she’s ready to start…” he shrugs, “whatever that means.” The adults exchange amused glances.

“I was getting ready to give ole Bobby here a personalized tour. Would y’all like to join us? We have to hit the cookies first.”

“We’d love to,” Dee says.

“Caleb couldn’t make it?” I ask over my shoulder leading the way.

“No. He volunteered to work at the food pantry. They’re short on help.”

I hold Eloise with one arm and clasp Bobby’s hand in the other and we make our way over to the food table. Deacon’s wife Theresa and Sam’s wife Jen are in charge of refreshments and cheerfully assist Bobby in choosing the very best Christmas cookie. “Um… I can’t dithide,” he says, his little brow furrowed. “I wike thanta but I wuv Rudolf.”

“I think you should have them both,” I say. He looks up at me doubtfully. His mom and dad walk up, and Bobby asks his mom if he’s allowed.

“Yes, but you have to save one for later, okay?”

“Okay,” he agrees and takes the Santa, swiftly biting his head off.

“Ouch! Brutal. Poor Santa,” I say. He giggles and takes another bite. Eloise is getting crumbs all over me as she gnaws on her sugar cookie.

“Here let me take her so you can be a proper tour guide,” Dee says. I hand Eloise over and brush off the crumbs.

“Follow me,” I say, making sure to extend the invite to Izzy and Brad. I show them the lay of the land, the office, kitchen, bunk room, group living quarters where we relax and hang out when we’re not catching Z’s or on a call or the million and one other tasks we have to do in a day. Bobby loves the fire engine and decides on the spot he’s going to be a fireman when he grows up.

All the while I’m aware of Evie’s gaze. When we lock eyes, the air between us practically sizzles. Not feelin’ particularly clumsy today. No siree. Feeling more like I’m back in high school ready for classes to end so I can meet Evie Parker under the bleachers and make out. I’m back in business.

The first chance I get, I grab Evie and practically drag her to the storage room. I shut the door behind us and lock it. She throws her arms around my neck and stands on her tip toes and lays a big smooch on me.

“This is torture,” I say. “I want to tear your clothes off.”

She laughs softly. “The children,” she jokes.

I dip my nose in her hair inhaling deeply. “You smell like sunshine,” I say.

She wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest. “I’ve missed you,” she sighs.

“That’s good news. What are you doing tonight?”

“No plans.”

“How about I pick up a couple of steaks and cook dinner for you?”

Her eyes twinkle as she stares up at me. “Tempting. Throw in a baked potato and you’re on.”

“Deal. Maybe now I can get through the rest of the day.” I lean down and kiss her again then step away. My cock is already half hard. “Girl, what you do to me should be a crime.”

She glances down at my bulge and snickers. “Pretty obvious. You better let me go out first and take a minute.”

I reach down adjust myself. “Good plan.” I chuckle when she opens the door and looks stealthily around before stepping out into the hallway.

She looks back at me and says, “All clear.” Then blows me a kiss and slips out the door.

An hour later we’re making short work of the clean-up, the decorations stay put till the new year. We’re all happy about how the event came off. Fortunately, no emergency calls come in during our open house so that is a big check in the plus box. It was the most successful one we’ve held yet. Every year we get more people. We’ve got a levy on the ballot next year so any PR work we can do to educate the public is good for us.

I’m off until Monday so I grab the trash bags to carry to the dumpster and call out to the guys as I leave. “Good job, everyone. See ya Monday,” I say.

“Got any big plans?” Deacon asks.

I grin. “I’m cooking steaks tonight for the lovely Evie Parker and I somehow got wrangled into a Christmas shopping marathon with Evie, Dee and Caleb tomorrow.”

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