Page 80 of Santa of the Creek
Ben chokes as he glares at his husband. “Excuse me. You lying liar of Liarsville. I amnotthe one who picks up Barky every time he whines and cuddles him to make him happy.”
The sheriff sticks his nose in the air. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I have to be the bad cop,” Ben confides. “Me!”
“Guys,” I say, to attract their attention. “Much as I appreciate your company…”
“He’s telling us to get lost,” Ben hisses loudly behind his hand.
“Well spotted,” I say. “I’ve been trying to talk to Echo for the past thirty minutes.”
“You’re the one who chose to do this in public,” Ben points out.
I scowl at him but he just shrugs.
“We saw the drama with Tommy,” JD says. “We were about to get involved when he came over to you. We watched from the sidelines in case you needed us, but you handled it very well, Santa Dean.” He gives a nod like it’s a benediction.
I feel a real mixture of emotions. Like I could have done with some official help, but also relief and happiness that he trusts me to take care of a lost child. Plus a weird feeling that they’ve all been waiting for me to do this. To step up and be part of the community.
“I told JD that you knew Tommy from school, and he trusted you,” Ben says. “He might have been scared if we interfered.”
“I think he picked me because of the Santa suit,” I admit ruefully. “He only realized who I was later.”
“How did you know his mom would be in the flower store?” the sheriff asks.
“She adores flowers. It’s like her hobby. Lucian has been holding Christmas wreath-making classes for anyone who’s interested.”
I’d seen the classes but had been too nervous to sign up for them. I smile at Echo. Maybe I could find the courage if he did it again.
JD wraps an arm around Ben’s shoulders. “Come on, sweetie, let’s leave Santa to claim his love.”
Our gruff sheriff being all lovey and gooey is discombobulating for the town. But Ben melts into him and they wander away with Barky. I have a feeling they’ll have joint custody as Geraldine gets older and it will be the sheriff loving on the dog no matter what he says.
“Are we alone yet?” Echo stage whispers.
Ben flips him the bird but keeps on walking.
I glance around, but I can’t see anyone hovering or lurking near the square. I turn to Echo. “I think we’re alone now.”
“About time. Now what were you trying to say to me?”
“You know what I wanted to say.”
“I need your words, Dean. Say it out loud.”
I lick my lips nervously. “Echo, I love you. I want to be with you forever.”
“I can’t promise you forever,” he whispers, caressing my cheek above the beard.
I stiffen, my heart crushed, pulling away from his touch. “What do you want then? Just a hookup until you find the next guy?”
But Echo reels me back into his arms before I have the chance to run away. “Listen to me,” he insists. “Losing Martywas a harsh lesson for a young boy. You discovered that we don’t know how long forever is.”
I blink back sudden tears. He’s right. I’d thought Marty would be my forever.
“But I promise you as long as I’m by your side, I’ll love you with all my heart.”
“But you just said…”
