Page 47 of Christmas Wishes

An hour later, we had all the lit presents made and arranged around the practice display. “Let me know when everything is on the float, and I’ll come by and help with any other light work you need. Happy to help get the float ready too. Just let me know.”

She waved me off. “We have plenty of volunteers.”

I smirked. But not enough volunteers to craft some present boxes covered in lights?

“Before you go, a couple of lights went out on a string outside. Can you help?”

“Of course. I’ll grab the ladder.” Within minutes, I was on the ladder and swapping out bulbs. “The center really needs to upgrade these to LEDs.”

“We’re planning a fundraiser for that.” Doris held the base of the ladder for me. “I wonder what Keaton would think of the float.” She hummed sadly.

I held back my snort. “He’d probably tell me there’s not enough lights.”

Doris chuckled. “Sounds like him. Bet the house is quiet without Keaton there.”

“Joule probably loves it.” I knew Keaton was off exploring Flagstaff today, so I wasn’t lying about the quiet house, for the moment.

Doris clucked her tongue. “Poor thing. I bet that sweet cat misses Keaton. He’s got quite the presence.” I felt her expectant stare on me.

I grunted and forced myself not to smile.

“Is Joule the only one missing him?” With the concern lacing her words, I couldn’t keep it from her.

“Joule will be happy to see him when he gets back tonight.” After replacing the bulb, I looked down and laughed at her confused expression.

“What? I thought his flight was yesterday.”

“He extended his trip.” I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him yet. And Idefinitelywasn’t ready to examine why.

She swatted my leg. “That’s big news!”

“Hey! On a ladder here!” I laughed and noticed a couple of people looking over at us from where they were walking by on the sidewalk.

“You deserve to fall and break your ass for that. How long is he staying for?”

“A week or so, I think.” There hadn’t been many details exchanged yesterday when I got home from my calls. There’d been more exchanging of bodily fluids. It’d been one hell of a way to spend a Sunday evening.

“Why did he decide to stay?” Her perfectly plucked eyebrows bounced suggestively.

“A pipe burst Saturday night in his apartment, so he can’t go home yet. Decided he’d rather extend his vacation than start crashing with family.” I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wonder if there’d been other reasons. Sure, the sex was great, but with how much he said he hated snow, he could’ve gone to Phoenix or Sedona for the week. Probably found someone to fuck who enjoyed talking more. He didn’t have to stay in Juniper Ridge or with me.

“Aw, poor thing. I hope his stuff isn’t ruined. He still staying with you?”

“The suite is open through New Year’s,” I hedged. She didn’t need the details of which bed he’d be sleeping in.

The look Doris gave me said she wasn’t born yesterday. “Well, we need to make sure he has a good rest of his trip. He’ll be here for Lights Up then? So he’ll get to see the float after all.” She swatted me again.

“He will.”

“Good. I might get his help with a few things.”

There was something to Doris’s tone that meant trouble. She shouldn’t get her hopes up because Keaton might be staying for a few more days, but that only delayed his departure. He had a full life, an even fuller family, back in Minnesota. Why would he think twice about us—Juniper Ridge—after he leaves? No one else wanted to stick around. Why would Keaton? He was destined for greater things than a slow life in the high desert.

My parents, brother, and ex had all grown up in the area and had ties to it. The only tie Keaton had was me and a few friends he’d made the past week. That wasn’t enough for anything more than us being fond memories.

Keaton was only temporary, but with each moment I spent with him, I was increasingly worried that his impact on my life would be anything but. I wasn’t sure I could handle getting left behind again.

Chapter25

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