Page 27 of One More Yule Log
“I am! Ahhh.” He tried to fall over, clutching at himself, but Ben caught him and pulled him back up.
Liv cracked up, giggling like mad, so pleased with herself. Ben snort-chuckled, and Gray felt like he’d won an award, making them both laugh.
Liv settled back down between them, humming softly as she took pictures. Ben turned, smiling at him. “Where do you want to go to supper tonight, honey?”
“Oh, I have no idea. Do you want to stay here in Carbondale or go into Glenwood or Basalt or something?”
“How do you feel about The Goat? Casual, but nice? Local…”
“Sounds good. They do amazing mushroom fries.” He loved those things beyond what was normal.
“You speak my language. Those things make me happy, man. They have some great pastas, too, but give me a buffalo burger and a cold beer.”
“Heck yes.”
“Meaties,” Liv muttered.
“Hey, you like a burger, my lady.” Ben nudged her. “I’ve seen it.”
“I’m going to be a vegetarian now,” she announced.
Ben rolled his eyes. “She had a turkey sandwich at lunch.”
“Ah. Well, you can help me experiment with no-butter baking.”
Liv looked aghast, mouth dropping open and eyes wide. “Butter makes it good.”
Gray fought the urge to grin, and Ben’s eyes twinkling over Olivia’s head did not help.
“It does. But then that’s vegan, not vegetarian… No bacon doughnuts, though.” Gray tapped his chin thoughtfully.
“No burgers. No chicken casserole. No tuna salad.”
“Stop it, Daddy.”
“Sorry.” Ben didn’t sound contrite. “So, what do you usually do for Christmas dinner, Gray?”
“Um. Last year, I went to Alice’s. She makes a mean turkey breast.”
“Oh, you should come to our house. We have cinnamon rolls for brunch, and then Daddy makes roast and potatoes and Yorkshire puddings and the best gravy! Well, we used to…”
He glanced at Ben, who was smiling, not tightening up at all in any kind of protest. “That sounds amazing, kiddo.” That was nice and noncommittal, right? He would talk to Ben later.
“It so is. You bring dessert. Please, ’cause…oh, Daddy! Can I get a flower crown? Please? They light up!”
Ben rolled his eyes but handed her a ten-dollar bill. “Go on.”
She bounced to the end of the row to hand the vendor her money, Ben watching with a smile. The vendor laughed at her as well, presenting a pink–and-purple crown with twinkly lights with a flourish.
Gray had to laugh. “She’s so cute.”
“And she really doesn’t ask much,” Ben said. “So I spoil her when I can.”
“You’re a great dad. She adores you; I can tell.” That was one of Ben’s most admirable traits, and he had a lot.
“Thank you. That’s the biggest compliment you can give me.”
Gray thought he got that. He’d always thought it would be amazing to have kids, but it had always been a someday thought. Liv made things more concrete.
