Page 23 of Clause & Effect
They’re shirtless dwarves wearing Santa hats.
And honest to God---one is holding a leash to a reindeer that has a sign on it that says. “Ride or Die.”
“Ummm,” I point.
“Hysterical!” Devon claps. “Very inclusive.”
My eyes widen while one of the dwarves waltzes up to me in his half naked glory and winks. “I’ll just take your bags unless you have any other services you need me to perform at this time?”
“Uh,” I laugh and look over at Grace who’s speechless for the first time in her life. To be honest, Devon taking it all in so calmly is what surprises me the most. He’s usually the first one to be concerned.
“Miss Horseman?” the man holds out his hand awaiting my bag.
His inquisitive eyes straight up soul search into my depths, almost like he’s communicating with me but there are no words coming out of him.
I can’t explain the how or why but there’s a sudden calmness that engulfs me.
“Here you go.”
I hand him my medium sized tote—no, I didn’t bring a change of clothes because I don’t know if I’m going to spend the night yet. I might have signed his clause but everything that happens now is still up for a debate. I’m not a shoe in.
Fine.
Ididbring my toothbrush so that has to mean something important though I’m loathe to admit it out loud. If I had a smaller overnight bag, I’d probably bring lingerie too. Ugh, I’m already making things complicated, aren’t I?
“You’re beautiful.” He whispers under his breath before flashing me another calming smile and taking a dramatic step back as though he’s on a stage performing.
I wonder then, is he? Is it real? Or is he doing this for his own amusement? Furthermore when a gorgeous man has only eyes for you and wants you to believe it if even for a second, do you complain? No. The sheer audacity! Get it together Charlie!
“I’d like to welcome you all to the Nicholasen Yacht, where fantasy is your reality.” Fantasy. Reality. Just like last night. The sheets. The bed. This man.
Real.
My heart picks up pace as Devon and Grace exchange knowing looks between each other. God knows it’s been a while for me and it’s not like he invited them over for them—then again, weirder things have happened in our larger circle of friends.
Stetson doesn’t stop looking at me.
I wonder if Devon is concerned now.
“And Merry Christmas. I hope you look forward to the new year—I know he already is.”
CHAPTER NINE
STETSON
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHARLIE…
“Abear fight.” Jayson smirks into his rum infused hot cocoa and then gets caught up staring out the window.
I’m still running high on talking with Charlie that long, I shouldn’t have said so much but I couldn’t help it. Part of me wanted her to know that I see so much more than her beauty— I saw her complexities, her shadows, her light… I can see it all. I came on strong, stronger than I meant to, and yet every word I said was purposeful. I don’t want her doubting my intentions even if the circumstances are insane.
I look over at my cousin.
I know what he’s watching. The icy air has a frost invisible to the “normal” human eye.
But Jayson and I see winter in a completely different way. As my first cousin and descendant of Nicholas Claus, he too is gifted with what we call, “the Christmas sight”. It sounds cheesy until you realize how cool it actually is. The myriads of rainbow colors sparkle in the frosty air like shards of ice. Colors one couldn’teven imagine. We even hear the faint call of the snow as it sings its own version of Christmas carols falling from the sky. The season is alive in every way for us. For the four months of winter we speak to nature and understand her every call.
I follow Jayson’s gaze to the horizon.
