Page 22 of Christmas with Hope

He pushed the door closed with his foot. He held up multiple straps in a variety of colors.

“Are those cargo straps?” It was hard to contain my amusement.

“Yep,” Colton smiled proudly. “ It can be like… Garmin or whatever it is called.”

That was the final thing to make me rupture with laughter. I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt.

“What’s so funny?” he asked with an eyebrow rose.

“Sorry,” I said, trying to contain my laughter. With my hands, I swiped the tears from my cheek. “You are just so cute.”

“Why’s that?”

“Garminis a technology brand.”

“Well, that’s embarrassing,” he groaned. “What’s the tree stuff called then?”

“Garland.”

“Garland,” he repeated. “I should have known better. I just bought my damn brother aGarmin.”

“Maybe that’s why you saidGarmin?”

“Or I’m just an idiot,” his heavy sigh made me laugh.

“I mix words all the time. Trust me.”

“Like what?”

I started to think of an example to give him. Being put on the spot never made things easy. Finally, a lightbulb went off.

“Curve when I mean curb,” I admitted in embarrassment. “If you tell anyone that, I’ll beat you up.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” Colton held up three fingers and grinned.

“Better be, Mr.Garmin.”

“Low blow,” he laughed and then shivered.

“You need to get warm. Come here.”

I took hold of his hand that didn’t have straps in it.

“Holy hell,” I squealed when my hand touched his ice-cold hand. “Definitely need to warm you up.”

“Thanks… mom,” Colton smirked and I rolled my eyes.

“Smartass.” I led him over to the fireplace. We both sat down on the wood bench in front of it. I took thegazillioncargo straps from him and set them down on the floor in front of the fireplace.

Colton put his hands out in front of him. Then he rubbed them together.

“You shouldn’t have gone out there without a coat.” I rubbed Colton’s back. “You’re crazy.”

“Crazy for you.” He looked at me and winked.

I couldn’t blame the fire for my cheeks warming. Colton had warmed them with his words.

Hope, what is wrong with you?I scolded myself for allowing him to make me feel this way.

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