Page 13 of Crewe
Levi was over on one side of the room, letting all the kids take turns sitting on his lap and telling him what they’d like for Christmas. A woman dressed as an elf had come in and was standing beside him and would take a picture of Père Noël with the kids before they left his lap.
Burt, Crewe’s dad, sat down beside her and gave her a hug. “How you doin’, Ry?” he asked.
Ry was fond of all the Nelson patriarchs, but even though she’d never tell them, Burt was her favorite. His warm, boisterous personality and always having time to listen to the most inane things from her kids had her treasuring him in her life.
“I’m good. I ate too much, but the food was so good. Thank you so much for closing the bar sowe could all experience this. I can’t wait to explore the town,” Ry said.
“It was a pleasure. We haven’t taken nearly enough family trips. What good is money if you don’t make experiences with your family? On that note, Bill, Peck, and I are taking all the kids back to the resort. They’ve got a family movie night. We’ll do that, then we’re having a sleepover in the suite we’re sharing. All you younger ones can just enjoy your first evening here,” Burt said.
“Oh, I can’t let you…”
“Can’t let him what?” Crewe interrupted.
“Burt said he, Bill, and Peck would take all the kids to a family movie and sleepover,” Ry said.
“Cool. Claus said we could pick up the rental bikes. Ry, would you do me the honor of a night ride on the back of my bike?” Crewe asked her with a gleam in his eyes.
She held her breath at his offer and wondered if she should pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming and still back in Dodge City.
Ellie and Vivi walked up and wrapped their arms around Burt, each placing a kiss on his cheeks.
“You guys are the best. The hotel said they would take care of getting the luggage to the correct rooms, so don’t be lifting all of our luggage,” Vivi cautioned.
“I’m excited for a night ride with Hennessy in this gorgeous place,” Ellie said.
Crewe stared at her with a smirk. She could feel her friends pushing her and Crewe together. But, for the first time, she had a spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, what she wanted could possibly come true. She’d have to see how everything went, but maybe it was time she had a little hope. And wasn’t a town that celebrated Christmas all year round the perfect place to dream a little?
“Okay, sounds like we’re going on a night ride,” she said, then dropped her own kiss on Burt’s cheek. His blush was adorable. She didn’t know men his age still blushed.
“Ready?” Claus Snowdon asked. Ry looked at Ellie and Vivi, then tried to keep from laughing.Seeing the big man with the beard and a scowl on his face was funny.
“Yes, I’m going to run say goodnight to the kids, then I’ll be ready,” Ry said, walking over to where Peck and Bill were helping the kids get on their jackets.
She hugged both kids, then stared straight into their eyes. “You be good for the Papas and don’t fight with each other. I love you, and I’ll see you tomorrow after your sleepover,” she said.
“Yay, sleepover!” Freya yelled, throwing her hands in the air and dancing around. She smiled as her daughter danced. She was thankful every day for meeting Vivi and getting a job at the bar. Her kids had flourished. Having the other kids always around had given them a confidence they hadn’t had before. The job at the bar had changed so much.
She kissed both kids goodbye and then walked back to Crewe, who seemed to be having a serious conversation with Levi Noël. When she walked up, Levi nodded and walked off.
“What was that about?” Ry asked.
“Just something he thought I should know. Let’s head over to get the bike, and then we can go on the ride. I’m glad you said yes,” Crewe said.
Ry chuckled and followed Crewe out. Even though she’d felt maneuvered into the ride, she was fine with it. She was going to take the opportunities available during this vacation. By the end, she should know if she and Crewe were compatible and if they could build something together.
They’d picked up the motorcycles, and Crewe had a smile stuck on his face after Ry had gotten behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. He’d rather she were wrapped around his back, but with the bike they’d rented, she was on the passenger seat behind him, which was a little higher.
The club had extra riding gear for the rental bikes. It was a great business for them. He wasenjoying the ride, but he also couldn’t get Levi’s words out of his head. Levi had pulled Crewe aside because he thought Crewe should know what Wyatt and Freya had asked for Christmas from Père Noël. They’d each said they didn’t want any toys; they wanted to be a family with Crewe and have Crewe love them as their daddy. He’d fought back tears when Levi had told him. He wanted that too, with every fiber of his being.
Levi had put his hand on Crewe’s shoulder and said he wasn’t butting in, but if Crewe wasn’t serious, he’d need to figure out how to let the kids down without breaking their hearts. Crewe had chuckled because Levi had been butting in, but he admired the guy for standing up for the kids. They’d only been in Mistletoe Canyon for a little bit, and Crewe already loved the place.
Growing up with all nine of his cousins together, his dad and uncles had tried to make Christmas special. They’d had a tree, which had ornaments the cousins had made over the years, but neither his dad nor his uncles were decorating geniuses. Once Vivi came into the family, she’d added a lotof decorations and some traditions. When Hennessy was trying to convince Ellie to see him, he’d added to the decorations. He and Ellie had started buying the little Christmas Village buildings and planned to add a couple new ones every year.
Crewe ached to make their own traditions with Ry, Wyatt, and Freya. He wanted those kids to only know joy. He couldn’t protect them from everything but the things he could, he needed to do everything possible.
They’d ridden up Mistletoe Mountain Road, which traversed the three mountains that made the backdrop of Mistletoe Canyon so spectacular. Instead of being a dark road for a night ride, the town had the same old-fashioned lanterns along the road every quarter mile. Each lantern post was about twenty feet tall and was beside the road. Each lantern sported a wreath with decorations hanging from it.
He saw a group of cabins on the mountain, enclosed by a tall fence. He’d also spotted a helicopter pad and a couple of what appeared to be military-style Humvees. He wondered if it was acompany or just some veterans needing to feel safe. It seemed like minutes, and they were riding down the mountain. Crewe was sad to see the night end. Ry would go to her room, and he’d go to his.
