Page 48 of Santa of the Creek
My jaw drops. “What?” It comes out as a squeak.
“He came by my office last week and told me to get off your back or he’d have something to say about it.”
“I see you listened to him,” I drawl, but my mind is in a spin. Echo tackled the mayor for me? I even say ‘the mayor’ the way that he does in my head.
“You’re my baby brother. Like I’d let anyone tell me how to treat you. But he was fierce, I’ll give him that.” Danny broke into a smile. “It’s about time you had someone who has your back like JoBeth has mine.”
I nod slowly, knowing I’ve always envied my brother’s relationship, but I gained a sister. JoBeth had been a bright spot in a dark time. “You’ve always had my back, Danny. I know that.”
“And now you’ve got someone else. I can hand over the role.” He waves at me as if he’s handing over a baton.
I snort, and Danny smirks. Like he was ever going to do that. I foresee battles ahead between Echo and my brother. I can’t wait.
“What time do I need to be at the feed store because I promised Hebe I’d help at the facility today.”
“Two. The animals are due at two-thirty. I don’t know how many they expect.”
“I’ve been to Santa Paws at the feed store before,” I admit. “I take some of the residents from the assisted living facility. I had wondered why Hebe hadn’t asked me to do it this year.” At Danny’s lack of response, I glare at him. “This is another set up, isn’t it?”
Danny whistles as he heads to the rowing machine. He set up the gym when he moved into his own house. He encouraged me to join him once I recovered from the accident, confiding he liked the company. It took me months to realize it was his way of keeping an eye on me, to ensure I wasn’t going to do anything stupid. I never said anything, and our morning sessions continued. I wondered how he felt now I was missing them.
“I won’t miss every morning,” I say suddenly.
He smiles again. “Good. You can bring Echo too, if he wants.”
As Echo normally gets to bed after two when he’s working, I can’t see my guy dragging his ass out of bed at six to work out in the gym.
“Maybe when he has days off,” I say. “He works late.”
Danny nods as if he hadn’t thought of that. “Randy is working him hard.”
I bit my bottom lip, holding back the urge to tell I was working him hard too. My brother’s more open than the town gives him credit for, but there are limits. “You know Randy.”
Danny and Randy have a combative relationship at the best of times. They’re too much alike. But both want the best for Collier’s Creek, even if they don’t always agree on what that is.
I glance at the clock. “I need to move. See you later?”
Danny wrinkled his brow. “Do we have any plans? I don’t remember?—”
“You’re coming to Santa Paws, aren’t you? You’re always at community events.”
He scowled at me. “I thought you’d be taking my place today.”
“Nice try. But I’m Santa Paws. I’m there for the dogs. You’re the one representing the town.”
I laugh at his glower as I walk out of the gym. He’ll be there.
Back home, Echo is still flat out in bed. He doesn’t stir when I walk in. I stand in the doorway, admiring the long lines of his naked back and the curve of his spine. I want to kiss down it, but I don’t want to disturb him. He still looks tired from all the hours he’s working. Yet he still makes sure he sees me every day. I’d like to buy him something. If he were my girlfriend, I’d have bought him flowers. Do men even like flowers? I do, but would he think it’s odd?
“I know you’re staring at me,” Echo mumbles, not twitching a muscle.
“I like the view,” I say, my voice husky. “Muscles and smooth skin. What’s not to like?”
Echo rolls over and flops onto his back. “I don’t think I’m up to anything right now. I didn’t get to bed until nearly four.”
I wince. It’s only just gone seven-thirty. Now I feel guilty for disturbing him. “I’ll leave you to sleep.”
He holds out a hand. “Kiss me, then leave me alone.”
