Page 34 of Courting the Krampus
“Really? Who?” Natalie asks, tilting her head to look up at me. Cole glances at me over Natalie’s head, keeping only a loose hold on the reins since the reindeer don’t need much guidance, seemingly well-acquainted with this road.
“He said he’s not going into detail on the phone, but from his clues, I’m guessing it’s Rollo’s brothers who also got bonded to Diana.” I can’t remember their names, but I do know his older brother is some kind of pack alpha up in Alaska.
“Brothers? How many?” Cole asks.
“Rollo has two brothers. So Diana has three bonded to her now.”
“Little minx,” Natalie says affectionately. “She’s been holding out on me.”
“Adelbert’s scheduled a video call for tonight, said he has finally figured it out, but wants to tell us as a group. Everyone from the island, plus the newly added tattoo partners will be in on the call,” I explain, knowing Bertie would hate to tell the same story multiple times. Poor male must’ve been under so much stress figuring this out while I’ve been having the time of my life.
Not like I will say it to his face, but I’m sorry that I’m not sorry. Having Natalie with us has been pretty magical.
“So it’s okay for me to sit in on the call too?” Cole asks, brows scrunched together in an oddly nervous manner.
“Of course. Bertie expects you to. You’re in this just as much as we are,” I say and reach over to squeeze his thigh.
I take out the bag of snacks I prepared, because what’s a road trip without snacks, and offer some to Natalie. “How about some sugar plums?”
Natalie throws her head back, her laughter ringing through the air, and Cole just shakes his head with an amused smile at my choice of snacks.
Plopping one into her mouth, Natalie says, “You know I’ll never turn down some sugar plums.” She nudges Cole with her shoulder and he leans down to give her a kiss on top of her head. I throw my arm around her shoulder and rest my hand on the back of Cole’s neck. This is cozy. I will never get enough of this.
“Hold up,” Natalie says and quirks her head at Cole. “Is that why you pretended you were out of gingerbread cream when I was making coffee for Nick.”
Cole winces slightly but doesn’t deny it. “I’m a little possessive when it comes to that particular flavor. Nick is nice, but not nice enough to share that with him.”
“But you shared it with me?”
“Because I share Jasper with you. You’re the exception.” Cole’s blunt honesty hits me like a delicious sucker punch to my solar plexus. The statement has me nearly breathless, sparking anticipation and, dare I say, hope for a real future for the three of us.
We fall into comfortable silence again, letting Cole’s words really sink in. The words warm me from the inside like the heat from a fire after a long day out in the cold.
As we draw closer to Puutyöt, my nerves start scratching me. “Cole, do you maybe know if Nick called ahead so they’re expecting our arrival?” I hate how shaky my voice sounds, giving away just how much I dread the elves’ reactions.
The look Cole gives me is full of understanding, but Natalie’s confused gaze flits between us. “What am I missing?”
I take a deep breath before revealing my shame. “Remember how I told you a krampus is considered the bad part about Christmas?” Natalie nods and grips my hand a little tighter before I forge ahead. “Well, the Christmas elves are kind of uncomfortable around me. They’re the good guys and I’m the bad guy. When they’re not mentally prepared to see me, they literally scream and run away.” I gasp when I realize something else. “Fuck. I forgot my glamour ring at the house. Cole, can we go back?”
Cole shakes his head, his eyes full of empathy. “I left it there on purpose. I’m not ashamed of you. Neither is Natalie. If the other elves can’t see you for the good male you are, then that’s their loss.”
Natalie’s brows furrow as she considers my words. “So what you’re saying is you’re nervous about their reactions if you show up and they didn’t expect to see you?”
I nod and swallow around a sudden lump in my throat. “Yeah.”
Suddenly, Natalie perks up, her eyes sparkling with glee. “I have an idea.”
Chapter seventeen
Cole
It’s been a long time since I’ve visited Puutyöt and it’s even more gorgeous than I remember with its wooden houses, and numerous golden lights adorning the trees.
As evening draws closer and the chill starts to creep in despite all our layers, the reindeer take us through the village toward the guest cottage that Nick usually stays at when he comes here.
Next to me, Jasper and Natalie are stunned silent as they gape at the charming houses. Thick layers of snow cover the wooden A-frames lining the streets. The intricate trim designs along the roofs and the beautifully carved front doors show off the superb craftsmanship of the village carpenters as light spills from windows, casting a golden glow across the pink snowy streets.
The sleigh whooshes to a stop in front of the charming guest cottage, and we sit still for a moment to take in the view. Twinkling lights are strung along the eaves of the sharply sloped roof, and in the glistening pine trees dwarfing the property are ribbons of red and clusters of ornaments scattered between more golden lights. It looks like something from a Christmas greeting card humans send to each other.
