Page 108 of The Snuggle is Real
“Dad!” Charlie called from the hallway. “Hurry up!”
With a defeated groan, I dropped my hands and we made our way to the living room. Charlie was beaming down at the dollhouse.
“Look what Santa brought!”
She dropped to her knees and immediately crammed her stuffed grinch dog into the living area, where he loomed like a gigantic monster.
I slung my arm around Mason’s shoulders, keeping him close. “Wow, Mase. Look at what Santa did.”
“Pretty amazing,” he agreed, meeting my eye. “Which reminds me…Santa also left us some morning treats.”
“Did he?”
“Mm-hmm.” Mason slipped into the kitchen and revealed a basket of cinnamon rolls, banana-nut muffins, and snickerdoodles. “We can have them with coffee.”
The front door opened, and Dottie called out, “Merry Christmas, boys!”
LuAnne stumbled in after her, looking bleary-eyed and half-asleep. “Coffee?” she croaked.
“Making it now,” I said, turning to measure grounds while Mason passed out breakfast rolls.
Charlie was vibrating with energy. “Can we eat and do presents at the same time?Please?”
“Sure, sweetie.” I ran a hand over her hair. “Just let us get everything situated. You want a cinnamon roll or a muffin?”
“A cookie?”
I considered it, glancing toward LuAnne with my eyebrows raised. She shrugged. “Whatever, it’s not like a cinnamon roll is healthy either.”
“Fair point.”
I handed Charlie a snickerdoodle, finished brewing coffee for everyone, and we headed into the living room. Dottie took therecliner in the corner, and I sat on the couch with Mason on one side and LuAnne on the other.
There was only one stocking filled with little trinkets for Charlie. She went through that first while we all sipped our coffee and nibbled the baked goods.
Once that was done, she searched through the presents until she found one addressed to her. “This is from Mason.”
She tore off the paper and squealed with excitement. “It’s one of the puppy-dog paw ornaments like we saw at the Christmas Tree Festival!”
“It is,” Mason said with a grin. “That’s actually Peppermint Bark’s paw imprint, so you’ll never forget him. But there’s some other things in the box. Keep looking.”
“Peppermint Bark?” LuAnne said, confused.
Dottie leaned over. “Mason’s dog. Charlie fell in love with him. You’ll meet him later at Mason’s place.”
“Oh, I don’t know if I’m going. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Please come,” Mason said. “I have some family in from out of town, and they don’t know anyone else here. My mother is making a big meal, and she’ll love having you.”
LuAnne hesitated. “Really? I mean, I’m Ford’s ex-wife. You can’t really want me around.”
“You’re Charlie’s mom,” he said. “Of course I want you to spend Christmas with her.”
My heart swelled. Was it any wonder I loved this guy? I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
LuAnne watched me, brow furrowed. “I guess…if you really don’t mind, I could come by for a little while.”
“We’d love that,” I said, knowing it was true. Mason wanted to include her because he loved Charlie.
