Page 111 of Three Pucks and a Baby

“Seriously, Daddy? I’m thirty years old, not thirteen. But yes, Bennett is myboyfriend.”

Like the true gentleman he was, Bennett stepped forward and extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Whitlock.”

“Call me Miles.”

Since I could see the question burning in my dad’s eyes, I decided to put him out of his misery. “Bennett attends Southeastern.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes, sir. I’m a senior.”

“He also plays hockey for the university,” I added.

Dad’s eyes lit up at the mention of hockey. “Is that right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What position?”

“Left wing.”

“Is that right? I was a defenseman myself.”

Bennett nodded. “Vivian was telling me that.”

“Let me guess. She told you how I dragged her to all the Southeastern games with me and her brother.”

With a grin, Bennett replied, “Something like that.”

“Why don’t you go put those dishes down, and you and I can talk hockey?” Dad suggested.

Bennett’s eyes lit up. “I’d like that, sir.”

Shaking his head, Dad corrected him. “Call me Miles.”

“Okay.”

“Follow me,” I instructed him.

As we weaved our way through the living room to the dining room, I motioned at the table. “Just set those down there.”

Once Bennett’s hands were free, I handed the poinsettia in my hands to him. At his questioning look, I replied, “It’ll mean more if you give it to her.”

“Got it.”

I didn’t have to ask Dad where my mother was. From the moment the first rays of sunlight dawned on Christmas Eve, shewas stationed in the kitchen. Over the years, I’d tried reasoning with her to make a few dishes ahead of time, but she would hear nothing of it. She wanted everything to be as fresh as possible.

When I swept into the kitchen, delicious aromas filled my nose. Bennett and I had barely gotten through the doorway when my mother pounced on me. “Why Vivian, you sly thing. You didn’t tell me you were bringing a date.”

I should’ve known my mother would make a big deal out of Bennett’s presence. It was the first Christmas in three or four years that I hadn’t come solo.

As always, Bennett came to my rescue. “It’s my fault, ma’am. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it.” He held out the poinsettia to her. “Merry Christmas.”

Mom beamed as she took the plant from him. “Thank you. And welcome to our home.”

“Considering how much she’s talked about you, it’s a pleasure finally meeting Vivian’s family.”

Oh, he was good. In less than a minute, he had already managed to get into Mom’s good graces. Beaming at Bennett, she held out her hand for him. “I’m Laura.”

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