Page 77 of Bear Creek Valentine
Intrigued, Aiden picked it up. It appeared to be a Christmas card on the outside, and though the handwriting looked vaguely familiar, there was no return address. It bore Aiden’s name, in care ofDelicious, with a Scranton postmark of a few days past. Aiden worked a finger under the flap and pulled out what was, indeed, a Christmas card. Inside was a note covering one entire side in neat, blocky printing. He recognized the handwriting and gasped. Dash immediately scented his shock and disbelief.
“It’s from my brother, Ashton. We haven’t been in contact for years.”
He and Dash read it together.
Dear Aiden,
I’m sure you’re surprised to hear from me, but I only recently discovered where you were. The news showed a report about Bear Creek and they mentioned Delicious, so I looked it up and there you were! I wouldn’t blame you if you tossed this in the trash, but please hear me out.
After you walked out of our lives, I regretted a lot of the things I said. I realize now how badly I hurt you and how much I’ve missed my twin. We used to be so close, and I screwed it up. I wanted to tell you I’ve changed, and I hope we can reconnect somehow.
I’ve been seeing a therapist, and while I have a ways to go, she’s helped me with a lot of things I didn’t understand before. I’m also dating someone seriously, and her brother is gay. Taylor is great, and he made me see how wrong I was to push you away. When you came out, I was an uptight teenager who didn’t want to be labeled as the gay guy’s brother. So stupid!
Anyway, I’m happy you have a successful business and didn’t move to Texas or something. Is there any chance I could see you? If you aren’t comfortable with it, maybe we could email or talk on the phone? There’s so much to say, and I want to know how you are and if you’ve met someone special. My contact information is below, and I would love to hear back if you’re interested. FYI, Mom doesn’t know where you are but misses you. I won’t say anything without your permission.
Love, and Merry Christmas!
Ashton
Aiden sat very still, staring at the card with unfocused eyes. Dash wrapped an arm around his waist and let the man think. His scent revealed some confusion, a little hope, and a deepyearning to trust the veracity of his brother’s words. If it were Dash, he would be more than a little skeptical, but shifters were a lot easier to read. He knew the seemingly permanent loss of his brother and mother hurt his mate deeply, and this unexpected letter brought back all the old pain. Could Ashton be trusted? Was he telling the truth? Was a reconciliation possible? One thing was certain—Dash wouldn’t let the man hurt his mate any more than he already had.
He continued nibbling from the tray, and eventually, Aiden joined him after putting the card back in the envelope and setting it on the nightstand. They ate in silence until Dash’s curiosity couldn’t take it anymore.
“What do you think, love? Do you want to contact him?”
Aiden stopped eating with a heavy sigh.
“I’m tempted to respond, but I’m not sure... I don’t want to... oh, hell, there’s been a lot of water under the bridge. Part of me says let sleeping dogs lie, but the other part wants my brother back. What if this had happened to you and Bram? Would you respond or ignore the whole thing?”
Dash wasn’t expecting the question, and he was forced to put himself in Aiden’s shoes. He growled and leaned over to kiss his mate’s cheek.
“I’d try it. I only have one brother, and I’d hate to lose him. If you agree to meet with Ashton, I’m going with you.”
Aiden clasped Dash’s hand, intertwining their fingers.
“I don’t think he’d go to all this trouble just to hurt me again, and reconnecting would be a damn good Christmas present! I need to think about it some more.”
Aiden’s hopeful scent allowed Dash to relax, and after finishing their late-night snack, the couple turned in for the night. The next few days promised to be relaxing and a lot of fun; something they could both use.
Chapter 28
Aiden’s warm lips wrapped around Dash’s earlobe for a bit of suckle and tug until his sleeping mate woke up. He also had a hand wrapped around the man’s erection, which might have aided the process of rousing him. Dash rolled over on his back, pulling Aiden on top—their hard cocks pressed between warm flesh in a lover’s sandwich. The big bear’s extra winter weight filled in all the gaps between them, and Aiden sighed into a morning make-out session. There was no need to rush since it was Christmas and the start of their three-day vacation.
Eventually, Aiden dragged his lover to the shower, where they enjoyed mutual hand jobs and more kisses. Afterward, Dash whipped up a hearty breakfast and then they opened their gifts—just one apiece this year to keep things simple. Dash not only liked to give presents, he also loved receiving them. Anything would do, and there didn’t have to be an occasion or holiday.
They’d been so busy there was no time to decorate the house, and their forlorn Christmas tree was an artificial tabletop version strung with colored lights. Underneath lay two wrapped gifts—one a thin, hefty rectangle and the other a chunky box. Dash had been sniffing around his gift for the last week, so Aiden let him go first. In the blink of an eye, he ripped the paper free and opened the top. Cardboard dividers protected six identical glass jars, all labeled with a sticker on top readingBees Knees.
Dash pulled each jar out to see what was in them, purring happily. He found three honey and whole nut mixes (pecan, black walnut, hickory), and three honey and fruit combos (blueberry, blackberry, strawberry). Aiden knew his man-bear wanted nothing more than to eat them all right this minute.Predicting such an occurrence, he came prepared and handed his mate a spoon.
“Try some, love, but I want a taste too.”
Dash eagerly grabbed the hickory nut jar and opened it up.
“These look great! Where did you get them?”
“Malcom Nesbitt created a collective business calledBees Kneeswith several of my suppliers. They used the funds you provided to find a new market for their crops. These are some of the first products they created, and Malcom is selling them online. Gruff Cunningham and I intend to carry them for our customers.”
Dash spooned up a sample for Aiden first, then a mouthful for himself. The taste was unique and multi-layered, with a rich butter and smoke flavor from the hickory nuts mixed with super sweet honey. Both men moaned as their tastebuds danced and sang. Dash also grabbed the blackberry and honey combo jar for a sample and rumbled with pleasure.
