Page 15 of Calling from the Heart
“Reindeers? Really?”
Gwennie nodded. “Uncle Jack found us a place that has reindeers. He’s going to buy one for Elizabeth Ann for Christmas. I told him that we didn’t need one, but we could come visit and feed it corn.” She glanced over at Jack. “You know, if he gets one for every one of his babies, he’s going to have a herd.”
“Gwennie!” Tim stared at her.
“What? It’s true. Uncle Chase is a baby making machine.”
The other dad, who must be Chase, winked broadly. “Nice to know I’m good for something. But really, Uncle Saul has me beat.”
Owen cracked up. “Oh, yes well you know, he needs to just make sure that he doesn’t try again.”
Poor Saul had started with one. His second had pregnancy resulted in a twins, and the third had found them with triplets. So what they had hoped was going to be a family of two or three, then possibly four, was now a family of six. And while they were all incredibly happy, the rumor was that the chief of police had gone and gotten himself fixed.
Everyone was terrified that Saul would end up with quadruplets.
They all started laughing, even the little ones, who had no idea what was going on.
They ordered their drinks -- one cup of coffee for Jeb and a glass of milk for him, and Jeb leaned forward across the table. “You really do know everybody, don’t you?”
He nodded. He did. “It’s part of the job. I’m the first contact between public school and families. I’m the one who sets the tone, a lot of times for a whole school career. We’re there at the beginning. We teach them about all of the weird little socializations and about how to start to learn to function in something that is not a family unit. That’s a huge deal, and in a weird sort of way I am a part of the family, especially when we’re in the class. I’ve had Tony, Saul’s oldest. I’ve had Gwennie, I’ve had Gawain. Elizabeth Ann’s in my in my class now.” Owen shrugged, suddenly embarrassed. “I suppose it’s silly to you, but it’s true.”
Jeb raised an eyebrow. “Why would it be silly to me, baby? I think you’re amazing. I always have. And I know you love your job.”
“Oh, you know I do. So much.” But right now, he wasn’t being a teacher. Right this second, he was very busy being Jeb’s lover. “So what kind of Christmas lights do we want? You. What kind of Christmas lights doyouwant?”
Jeb beamed at him. “I was thinking, rainbows. Like sparkling. All the colors, all the twinkles. I want my house to look as happy as I feel right now.”
Owen’s cheeks burned with a deep, hot blush. “Oh. I think that sounds...heavenly.”
If only it would last.
Five
Jeb sang “Jingle Bells” as he drove to pick up Owen at his house for Christmas Eve.
He had asked Owen to move in with him, and Owen had said he would think about it. Said it with that sad, soft look that told Jeb he thought Jeb was asking out of pity or obligation or something.
Ugh.
He just wanted Owen with him. All the time.
The world looked icy, like Jack Frost had blown through and just left a frozen tundra in its wake. But the roads had been plowed and sanded, so his truck was doing okay.
He had present for Owen. He had cider in the crock pot and a gallon of milk ready to steam and foam for hot chocolate.
Owen had been making cookies for two days, he knew.
He pulled up to the condo, and he noticed that the video doorbell wasn’t working.
The damn lights were out again.
He knocked, which hurt his damn knuckles because he’d forgotten his gloves.
“Coming! Coming, love.” Owen showed up, wearing his coat and a hat and gloves.
“Hey, you.” He kissed Owen, who squealed a little at his cold lips. “The power is out again?”
Owen rolled his eyes. “Yes, it has been for hours. It’s irritating as hell. I’m so looking forward to coming over and having Christmas with you.”
