Page 21 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
Avery smiled. “I want to. And you gave me the cookies.” And then he paid for Jack’s significantly cheaper wreath.
The pixie boxed up their wreaths and tied them with string.
Jack frowned. How could Avery so easily afford this? Even if Avery was an upper servant in one of the best houses, this was not cheap. But Jack still didn’t know what Avery did for money.
He liked to read. He owned books. Jack didn’t understand how that was a profession.
After their parents died, when money had been especially tight, Grady and Jack often stayed up, worrying and arguing over how they could make ends meet. They’d tried to hide it from their younger siblings as best they could.
Both he and Grady had worked in the bakery and had taken extra jobs, working after the bakery closed for the day. For years, they’d barely slept.
Still, they’d never had enough money.
Exhaustion, weariness, and worry had been Jack’s constant existence. He remembered barely eating at the dinner table so his younger siblings could. He and Grady had lived off the leftovers from the bakery.
In fact, even when they’d had enough money, he and his brother would often sit back and say they weren’t really hungry. They’d wait until their siblings had eaten their fill before tucking in themselves.
Avery held his box to his chest along with the small box of cookies Jack had given him. “This is a wonderful night.”
Jack let out a breath and forced his muscles to relax, pushing away the memories of his past. Instead, he focused on enjoying the sight of Avery happy.
Clearly, Avery had enough money. Jack didn’t need to worry about him. And for some reason, despite Avery earning far morethan Jack, he didn’t look down on him. He never commented on Jack’s work, home, or clothes. Obviously, not all la-di-da servants were complete prats. Some could be nice.
“Where is Carrie tonight?” Avery asked as they continued walking.
“At home. I don’t take her to the markets. She’s quite old and needs to stay warm.” Jack chuckled. “She’s asleep in the apartment, basking in the warmth of the fire right where I left her.”
“A perfect spot for a lizard.” Avery laughed. “I always like to sleep on the rug by the fire. And I wanted to ask about Cas. How did a pixie come to live with you and be part of the family?”
Jack took a moment to follow the abrupt change in topic. “Well, it’s a bit of a sad story. Cas grew up in a foundling home. Then he left. He escaped. He lived on the streets, and then one day he saw the Christmas baubles in the bakery window and heard my mother singing Christmas carols and just walked in. My parents took him in. Since then, he has been a part of the family.”
“That is very kind of your parents. They sound like wonderful people.”
Jack gazed ahead at one of the trees. “They were excellent parents.”
“Were?” Avery asked, voice very soft.
Jack swallowed. “They passed thirteen years ago. Carriage accident.” He paused, collecting himself. “It’s just been me and my siblings since.”
“I’m so sorry.” Avery reached out. He seemed to hesitate, then he took Jack’s hand and squeezed.
Jack could tell he was about to let go, so Jack tightened his hand on Avery’s and threaded their fingers together. Jack could feel Avery’s pulse, so strong and steady beneath his fingers.
“Mother and Father loved Christmas.” Even after all this time, it still hurt Jack to talk about them. “They loved baking Christmas cookies and decorating the house and getting us presents. We try and keep the traditions alive.”
They walked silently for several moments. Snow began to fall. It caught in Avery’s copper locks.
“My mother died when I was young.” Avery dropped his head. They stopped in front of a Christmas tree.
“I’m sorry,” Jack said. “How did she die?”
“She got sick. I don’t remember her.”
“And your dad?”
Avery hesitated. “He’s…around.”
Jack frowned, not knowing what that meant. “And you don’t have any siblings.”
