Page 102 of Cabin Fever Baby

“Hey, Mr. MacGregor.”

“You ever going to call me Hudson?”

Perri laughed. She was a tiny thing, with wild dark hair that she kept tamed into braids. “Sorry. Hudson.”

“Better. I think I finalized the drawings for Hadley. We can start figuring out the gingerbread and the supports we’ll need.”

“Oh, cool. I can’t wait to get moving on that. I finished the sugar cookies you wanted to decorate for your family party. They’re stacked in the blast chiller until you’re ready to work on them.”

“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

She untied her apron. “I’ll see you after Christmas. The last holiday boxes were shipped out this morning. Brenden took a few straggler orders that came in today. I told them I couldn’t guarantee they would arrive on time, but they still wanted them.”

“You are the best hire ever. I sent over a little something for a holiday bonus too. I really appreciate how you jumped in.”

She flushed. “Thank you. This is the best job I’ve ever had.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Have a great holiday. Tell your mom I said the same.”

She nodded. “I will.” She ruffled Henry’s hair. “Bye, buddy.”

He gave her a sticky wave.

I didn’t need to do anything since Perri was an ace. The kitchen was spotless, as were the floors. Hallelujah.

“Officially out of office!” Ocean called from the back.

“Then get that fine behind out here. We’ve got broken cookies.”

“If I eat anymore broken cookies, my fine behind will not fit in my pants,” she said as she came into the kitchen. She kissed Henry on the top of his blond curls, then she took a bite of the thin gingerbread that I held out for her.

“Your fine behind is sexy AF.”

“Why thank you, husband.”

She’d grown out her hair, thanks to the prenatal vitamins she’d taken for Henry. Instead of chopping it off, she’d started wearing a saucy high ponytail that made me a little crazy.

I stepped forward and caught her lips in a quick kiss. “Your mom is coming to take Henry for a sleepover,” I said against her mouth.

Her blue eyes went from tired to interested. “I like the sound of that.”

“Thought we could have a little private Christmas before we go to the cabin.”

“That sounds even better.” She turned back to Henry. “You want to see Gams?”

“Yeah!”

She swung him out of the highchair. “All righty. Let’s get you cleaned up, then.”

He bowed back in annoyance. “Noooo.”

Ocean caught him because we were both well versed in his demon ways. “Then no Gams for you.”

He wrinkled up his nose but sighed and bumped his head against her chest.

“Thatta boy.” She tossed a grin over her shoulder. “I’ll be back.”

A bath with Henry meant I had at least fifteen minutes to put dinner in the oven—thank God for delivery. I retrieved the bag from my office and swore my way through wrapping. Making sure there was a white bow like our first Christmas.

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