Page 13 of Whiskey Holiday
Winter
"Baby," I feel my body shaking and it pulls me from a peaceful slumber. I moan, then prying my eyes open, I lift my head slightly off of Tannon's bare chest.
"What's wrong?"
From across the room, I hear someone clearing their throat. Because I've listened to the sound a million times in my life, I know who it's coming from. "Good morning, Daddy," I say, and take in Tannon's surprisingly relaxed state.
"We tried calling first. When you didn't answer, your mother got worried." My dad says, followed quickly by my mom.
"It wasn't only me who was worried. The big lug here was just as concerned."
Repositioning myself, I sit up and face my parents, both bundled in thick winter coats. Dad's cowboy hat has a thin dusting of snow coating the brim. I notice his stare is solely fixed on Tannon. My mom gives me a warm smile. "We did knock first, sweetheart."
Privacy was the number one benefit to living in a home of my own, yet here I am, in an awkward situation with my parents and a guy I just met. Maybe giving my dad a spare key to the house wasn't such a great idea after all. "Mom, Dad, this is Tannon." I attempt to stretch out the kink in my neck.
Rising from the couch, Tannon holds out his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Sir." My dad eyes him for a second before giving him a firm handshake.
"You too." Dad clears his throat.
"Why don't I make some coffee?" my mom says, then turns toward the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, Dad." I stand then wrap my arms around his neck. "I didn't mean to worry anyone."
My dad kisses the top of my head as he brings his arms around my body. I breathe him in and close my eyes as I always do. "It's going to take some time getting used to you being on your own." He sighs. "Nevertheless, I will always worry about you being out here alone."
"I wasn't alone, Dad." My words come out as a whisper against his chest, and he chuckles.
"I noticed."
I pull away from him. "You mentioned you called first. Is everything okay?"
"Well, for starters, Greg drove out yesterday to fix your furnace and stated a young man was on your property. By the looks of your friend here, I'm going to assume he was speaking of Tannon. Second, your mother wanted to make sure you are all set for the festivities tonight. She is beyond elated, you have the honor of flipping the switch at the tree lighting tonight."
I've been so busy between the bar and this house, I nearly forgot I was nominated by the city council to light the tree. "I'm more than ready, Dad. Tannon replaced the old furnace yesterday. I can't tell you how good it felt to come home to a warm cozy house after work. He also fixed those broken window panes in the kitchen."
"He did, now?" My father eyes Tannon. "What line of work are you in, Tannon?"
"I'm part owner of T & N Restoration, Sir," Tannon replies, and I realize he's still wearing nothing but his grey sweatpants. My eyes roam down his defined abs, following his happy trail until my gaze lingers for a second on his package.Snap out of it Winter. Your father is standing two feet away, for Christ sake.My eyes snap up to find Tannon's panty-melting smile looking back at me, and my face heats.
"You don't say?" my dad says, just as my mom walks into the living room carrying a tray with four mugs of piping hot coffee. "Carol, Tannon here is one of the owners of that restoration company Richard was telling us about," my dad tells her, and Mom's face lights up.
"Is that right?" Mom passes me my cup, fixed just how I like it, sugar and lots of cream before handing Tannon and Dad theirs.
"Yes, Ma'am." Tannon smiles at her. "Thanks for the coffee, Mrs. Holiday."
"Call me, Carol." Mom sips from her mug. Stepping close to my side, she whispers. "He's very handsome."
Unable to hide my smile, I agree. "Yes, he is."
"Well, I hate to barge in and run, but your mother gave me a honey-do-list that stretches from here to Polson that needs my attention." My dad sits his coffee back on the tray. "Give this old man another hug." He looks at me, and I step into his arms. "Tannon," he says as he hugs me, "I appreciate you taking care of my daughter and this house." My dad releases me, and I embrace my mom goodbye, then move toward Tannon, who snakes his arms around my waist.
"The pleasure is all mine, Sir," Tannon tells him.
My dad scratches his thick greying beard after crossing his arms over his chest. "How long have the two of you been seeing each other?"
There it is.
I was wondering when he would get around to asking that question. I think about lying for a moment but decide against it. Lying to my dad is like moving a mountain. It doesn't work. He'll see right through me—always has.
