Page 22 of The Mountain that Saved Christmas

“Don't push it, darlin',” I say with a chuckle. “But yes. You were right. Doesn't mean I don't feel like I've been in the fields all day throwin' out hay.”

“And it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the hard work, Redmond,” she whispers, her voice dropping to a low, sexy whisper.

“Not as good as mine,” Toby says as he and Austin come toward us. “Not a bad effort, old man.”

“I'll giveyouold man,” I mutter, earning a smirk. “What's next on the to-do list? Crisscrossin’ some lights across the street? Did we bring those from back home?”

All thoughts of that are lost when I look down the street and spot something outside the mushroom bar–which is actually called The Toad Stool and Axe Bar.

My head swivels Toby's way. “What'sthat?”

He rubs the back of his neck and averts his eyes, a surefire sign of guilt. “Ah… what do you mean, Red?”

“There's a neonduckoutside the sheriff's office. Know anythin' about that, Tobes?”

“The thing is–” he starts.

“The Sallys said we were giftin' Christmas, and I decided that meant bringin' a piece of home to Rainbow Springs. And what better part of home to give them than Duck Norris,” Landry adds.

“Thought we weren'ttalkin', let alonethinkin'about that bird,” I reply.

“It was just one of themanyneon displays we brought with us. There's also a goat for Nelly Nosey Parker and one for Bruno the dogandMiss Piggy too,” Landry explains.

I sigh. “Did you have to bring aduckthough? I thought I was gettin' a break from that menace.”

“And now the Grinch is back. Thought I'd gotten rid of him,” Mags says, winking. “Guess it's time for a much needed break.

All eyes turn to my wife. “Why?” I ask suspiciously because when it comes toanyof the women I know, the world's their oyster in terms of the crazy ideas they can come up with. The fact we're miles from home doing a random act of kindness for strangers says it all.

“The wives of the Arrys and the rest of the women have been bakin' all day for the festival and there's some leftover cookies in need of decoratin'. So, we all decided to turn it into another Christmas contest.”

“Oh yeah?” Toby rubs his hands together. “You know I'm goin' to beat your butts at whatever challenge you throw my way.”

His eagerness doesn't surprise me considering he's batting zero in the contests we've held so far this time. First, it was Cora and Rhett winning the truck decorating challenge, then Landry reigning supreme at karaoke.

“Let's see if you can pack everythin' up first,thenyou can wow us with your kitchen skills,” Austin says, biting back a laugh.

“You know…” I say to Mags once Austin and Toby have left us to tidy up. “I don't think I'm all that good at cookie decoratin'.” Turning my attention to my wife, I dip my head and rub my nose along the sensitive skin of her neck, loving the way her breath catches as I do it.

“You're not?” She whispers.

“Nope. But therearesome things Iamgood at…”

“Mmmm hmmm.” Mags clings to my arms and melts against me. “You areverygood at some things. Lots andlotsof things.” The way her voice has roughened confirms she's on the same wavelength as I am.

“How bout we play hooky, and Ishowyou those things…” I say, nipping her ear lobe.

“OK…”

“Enough of that, lovebirds! We've got a contest to get to. If I can't canoodle with my wife, then neither can you two,” Tobes hollers from across the street, making me groan and Mags giggle against my chest.

“And I thought it was the animals that were the ones who co?—”

“Thwartedalone time?” Mags says, stealing my words and saying them far more eloquently than I would have.

I straighten and grin down at her, my lips twitching. “Yes. There's a lot ofthwartin'goin' on and I don't much appreciate it right now.”

Her mouth quirks up, her eyes full of amusement at my disgruntlement.And believe me, I'd much rather be alone with my wife than decorate Christmas cookies.“C'mon, Redmond. We'll decorate cookies, let Toby win, and?—”

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