Page 56 of Holiday Surprise

I pushed the sadness away and concentrated on the good stuff, and the fact that the season for miracles and giving was alive and well right here in the middle of town.

Sydney

Chapter 23

Despite my dad being there as a witness and never coming over to say something, I was so hyped from that experience that I was practically skipping along beside Luke when we left the sub shop.

“That was amazing!” I gush. “That’s what the holidays are truly supposed to be about.”

Luke frowned at me and shook his head. “Charity and handouts aren’t things I accept. I tried to explain it to the first guy, but you cut me off. I was so overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity that I was speechless to protest. It was embarrassing, Sydney. Do you realize I have a couple hundred dollars in my pocket now, that I didn’t earn it and it doesn’t belong to me.”

I rolled my eyes not at all surprised to hear his revelation. That was just the sort of man Luke Larken was.

“So, what are you going to do with it all?”

He shrugged. “I would pass the money along to Oliver, but I know he wouldn’t take it. He begrudgingly agreed to let me pay for the food and household bills for as long as the pack stays there. I know he won’t take a handout from me, even if that wouldn’t be my intention.”

“So, put it in the bank and add it to the new property fund then,” I suggested.

“I hate that they did that,” he confessed to me as we climbed into the truck.

“Luke, that was amazing. Just say thank you. Don’t deny someone else’s opportunity to give when they feel led to. It blesses them as much as it should bless you.”

“That’s some pretty profound words,” he admitted.

“It’s true. I know you are extremely proud. I could see by the look on your face how uncomfortable you were with that sort of attention and charity.” He grimaced at the last word. I laughed and smacked him. “Charity is not a bad word, Luke. It’s what we do as a community. You give and care for your shifters every day. That too is charity.”

“That’s my job as Alpha,” he argued.

“You don’t do it because you’re Alpha. Jedidiah was Alpha before you, did he do half the things you do now?”

“Point taken,” he conceded.

He drove off and I didn’t bother to ask where we were going. I was just happy he didn’t tell me to go back to work or something like that. I was a little surprised, I guess, when he pulled up in front of my house.

“Want to help me look for a place to live?” he asked.

I smiled sadly.No,I wanted to say. Instead I found myself agreeing.

When we got to my front door, Luke stood there frowning at me and held open his hand.

“What?” I asked.

“The key,” he said.

“It’s not locked,” I assured him.

“Yes, it is. Sydney, you can’t just leave your house unlocked. You’ve been living here all alone, and I shudder at the thought of what could have happened to you at any second. You have to give a little attention to your safety, and we’re starting by locking the doors from now on.”

I pursed my lips. He wouldn’t!

“Um, did you really?” I asked.

He jiggled the handle and sure enough, it was really locked. My head dropped to bounce against his chest.

“Why, Luke?”

“I just explained it. Just give me the key.”

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