Page 12 of Crewe
Crewe opened the passenger door for Ry. The puzzled look on her face had him hiding a smirk. Yep, she might be a little confused trying tofigure him out, but this trip was a chance for him to make what he wanted from her clear. Crystal clear.
He made sure all the kids were in their booster seats and that their seatbelts were fastened. Then he grabbed the snacks he’d made for the car ride. He handed everyone a bag and a drink.
“Hey, why do they get snacks and we don’t?” Schaefer called.
Crewe turned to his family. “Check your saddlebags,” Crewe replied and got in the driver’s seat, starting the car before Schaefer could reply. Crewe was anxious to get on the road, get to Mistletoe Canyon, and figure out how to let Ry see what he wanted. Her heated glances a couple times in the bar kitchen gave him hope that she felt the same way but was holding back for some reason.
“Oh, yummy, is this your special trail mix?” Freya asked around a mouthful of food.
“Manners,” Ry chastised.
“Sorry,” Freya said.
“Yep, it has all sorts of yummy things but also some protein, so it should keep you full. Now, ifanyone needs the bathroom, don’t wait until it’s urgent. Tell me when you first think so, and I’ll find someplace,” Crewe said.
“But I like peeing outside,” Wyatt whined.
“Me too,” Ezra agreed.
Ry chuckled and shook her head. “Well, let’s try not to do that this trip.”
“Why don’t you pick the music,” Crewe offered. He laughed out loud when Ry paired her phone and Christmas music came out of the speakers.
“Well, it’s September. We have to get in the mood,” Ry said, taking a sip of the drink he’d made her. Her lips on the cup had his mind going places it shouldn’t when they would be in the car for the hours it would take. And with kids in the car.
“True. Let’s go see Mistletoe Canyon and Père Noël,” Crewe said, then followed the bikes out of the parking lot.
Ry listened to the kids chatter in the car while Crewe drove. He hadn’t even blinked when she put Christmas music on the radio. In fact, she needed to pinch herself because it must be a dream. She was riding in a car with Crewe, her kids, and Ezra going on vacation. It felt too much like her wildest daydreams of them as a family doing family things.
The hours in the car had passed quickly, even though they’d had to make numerous stops since Freya had a small bladder and kept getting drinks at every stop. Crewe hadn’t been irritated or annoyed with the delay. He’d just found them a good place and waited in the hall with Wyatt and Ezra for the girls to come out after he and the boys were done.
At the last stop, which had been in Colorado, Crewe had bought the kids rocks and a case to keep them in. He told them his dad had bought him one, and he’d loved collecting pretty rocksfrom different places. The travel place they’d stopped at had pet rocks. Ry hadn’t seen any since her youth, but she enjoyed seeing the joy on her kids’ faces as they chose their rocks. Freya chose one decorated with pink and purple polka dots and eyes that had lashes. Wyatt had chosen one that had big eyes and a large red nose on it. Wyatt had started watching football with the guys and had decided the Kansas City Chiefs were his team. He asked about painting dots on it in red and gold for the team. Crewe had said he was sure he could make that happen.
Each thing he did made her want to take a chance, but then all her insecurities would start yelling in her head, and she’d overthink her options.
Crewe’s phone rang as they passed theWelcome to Mistletoe Canyonsign. He answered it through the car. She appreciated him not holding his phone and talking while driving. She’d seen too many accidents on the main highway running through Dodge City from inattentive drivers.
“Hey, Vivi, what’s up?” Crewe asked.
“I just spoke to the resort. They’ll still have room for us tonight, but they are having to juggle a couple of rooms around due to a water line break. They’re paying for us to have supper at the Mistletoe Canyon Bar & Grill, along with having Père Noël stop by to see the kids. She also said the bikes are ready for anyone who was renting. They could be picked up after supper if anyone wanted to go on a night ride,” Vivi said.
“Okay, directions?” Crewe asked.
“We’re driving in on one of the main roads. She said when we see Mistletoe Canyon Search & Rescue, across the street is the parking for the Bar and Grill. Oh, I see it. You can’t miss it. See you soon,” Vivi said, hanging up.
“Okay! Who is ready for some food and a special visit from Père Noël?” Crewe asked.
“Me! I want to tell him my list,” Freya said.
“Me, too,” Wyatt said.
Chapter Eleven
Ry sat beside Crewe, listening to the chatter and just for a moment, enjoying the moment. She’d had a fantastic meal, full of laughter and fun with friends, and she didn’t have to clean up anything.
Claus Snowdon and Levi Noël had been waiting on them at the bar. They were both members of the local MC. Levi and his brothers ran Père Noël’s toy shop and all were Père Noël during the year. Claus ran Mistletoe Treats, which Ryplanned on visiting as soon as she could safely stand without popping the button of her jeans.
Levi had mentioned that Claus was grumpy but a great guy. She was definitely getting grumpy vibes from him, but when Freya tripped over her own two feet, he caught her and set her back on her feet.
