Page 68 of Sexted By Santa
“Thank you for letting me tag along.” She patted my thigh. “I didn’t want to show up to Janis and Tom’s place empty-handed.”
She’d soon be traveling to her daughter’s home in Tennessee for Christmas. Her son, Troy, was driving in to pick her up December 22nd.
“Of course. We enjoyed having you along,” I said brightly, doing my best to hide the worry that was knotting up my stomach.
Tori’s last day in school was December 21st. And as of now, I had no alternate childcare to cover the days Shirley would be gone. I’d called a couple of day-care centers that seemed equipped to handle Tori’s health needs, but they were full. I’d hit up every one of my co-workers, hoping to swap shifts, but other than the one day I’d banked earlier this month, I’d struck out.
I’d have to figure something out, and soon. Shirley had been a great help to us, but I’d become too reliant on her. She couldn’t be my only option. Someday, she’d finally make the move to be closer to her children and grandchildren, and then where would we be?
“Tell Shirley good-bye, Tori.”
“Bye! This was fun. Thanks for helping me shop for Daddy.”
“Oh, it was my pleasure.” Shirley smiled at us both. “You’re such a good little family. I hope you’re okay while I’m gone.”
“Of course, we’ll be fine.” I had no intention of letting my worry bleed over into Shirley’s holiday vacation. She deserved to visit her family with a clear conscience. If anything, this was a wake-up call. I’d relied on her far too much. “Just enjoy yourself with your children and grandchildren.”
“Oh, I will.” She opened her car door, groaning as she shifted herself out of the seat.
I hopped out. “Let me help you unload.”
“Thanks, dear.” She patted my arm as I came around the car to open the trunk. Her eyes were bright as I lifted out the bags and carried them up to her porch. “I’m so excited to see my family. I’ve missed them so much.”
Leaning in, I kissed her cheek. “I bet they’ve missed you too. Have a safe trip.”
I drove two doors down and across the street. My eyes lingered on Christian’s house as we pulled into our neighboring driveway. I’d rushed out this morning, and I couldn’t say I regretted it because I’d always put Tori first, but I did wish we could have spent some time together after an intensely intimate night.
His sweet text saying he’d missed me was surprising, but it’d warmed my heart. Christian really was a much nicer man than I ever expected.
“Come on, Glitterbug. Let’s get the groceries in.”
“Don’t peek at my Christmas bag!” she warned.
I smiled tiredly. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep my eyes to myself. Same goes for you.”
Tori trailed me to the beat-up trunk as I began unloading. “We’re going to Winter Fest later, right?”
Fuck. I forgot all about that. “I don’t know, Tori. We’ve been out all day.”
“But it’s supposed to be fun! They’ll have hot chocolate, and games, and…and—”
“Santa.” Christian’s voice cut in, and I turned to see him cutting across the lawn toward us. “I heard they have a Santa.”
“But not you?”
He shook his head. “Not this time. My next gig isn’t until Christmas.”
Tori sucked in a breath and looked at me with wide eyes. Christian caught her expression and chuckled. “I’m visiting the hospital.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“There are some kids who are sick or injured, and they want to have a fun Christmas too.”
“Ohhh,” Tori said. “That’s so sad. I didn’t like staying in the hospital.”
“It’s not fun,” I agreed.
“You’re doing a good thing,” Tori announced, then turned beseeching eyes on me. “We should take Christian to the winter festival.”
