Page 31 of Hiding for the Holidays
But I have to admit, I was growing tired of it. I’d love to hear Leo say my real name one day.
“What about you? Do you have more family somewhere?” I ask, grabbing my eggnog latte and taking a sip as Leo does the same.
“Yeah, Callum still lives with our parents.”
“Isn’t he in his twenties?”
“Twenty-two, yeah. But he’ll probably scrounge off them forever, if they’ll let him.”
“Does he have a job?”
His eyes narrow as he asks, “You seem awfully interested in my brother.”
I burst out laughing before covering my mouth with my hand and shaking my head as I grab a napkin to wipe my mouth. “Sorry, no offense, it’sjust… he’s so not my type.”
“No?” he asks, his frown disappearing and intrigue taking its place. “What is? Your type?”
“For starters, someone at least ten years older.”
“How old are you? Or am I not supposed to ask that?” he asks with humor in his eyes.
“Thirty-one. You?”
“Thirty-seven.” I nod.
“So you grew up in Silent Pines?”
“Yeah, Asher and Grant are from out of state, and when we were deciding where to live, I was the only one with family, and we all love the mountains and the small rural town feel. So… here we are.”
“It does seem like a pleasant town. Most of it anyway,” I say, thinking of my run-down building full of junkies.
“What’s your favorite Christmas movie?” he suddenly asks, changing the subject.
“Definitely Elf.”
“Really? Mine too!”
“I should have guessed yours would be a comedy. What about Ernest Saves Christmas?”
“Ah, an oldie but a classic! I haven’t seen that in years.”
We continue naming Christmas movies as we sip our eggnog lattes, and something in me starts to thaw.
Not just from spending this time with Leo, which definitely helps, but it’s like a small blossom of hope starts to grow in my chest. That even with my mom gone, maybe I can enjoy the season again without it causing me heartache and pain.
Chapter 11
Grant
Iquietly sing along to yet another version of Jingle Bell Rock on the radio as I watch Clara’s building.
Grabbing my phone, I touch the screen to make sure I haven’t missed any messages.
Nothing.
Asher gave her a new cell phone a few days ago, and I’d hoped she would text us, but she doesn’t. Asher told her to let us know when she was going to sleep each night, but that’s the only message we ever get.
She might think it’s strange to text her bosses outside of work time, especially when she spends every day with us, but I wish she would. I suppose I could text her, but what would I even say?
