Page 106 of The Art of Being Merry
clem
The Winterberry JunctionChristmas Eve parade is something out of a storybook or fairy tale. I’ve seen nothing like it. Even Willa’s description didn’t do it the justice it deserves.
My boys have been mesmerized since the first truck drove by. It’s freaking cold—like fifteen degrees or something stupid like that—and snow covers the ground, yet they haven’t complained once. They haven’t moved from their chairs, demanded a snack, or asked when it was going to end. A magical spell has been cast on them, and I wonder how long I can make this last.
“Here come the boys,” Heidi says from beside me.
By “the boys,” she means her brothers. We’re camped out on the lawn of the Fernwood Fables B and B, at the end of the parade route. As much as I’ve enjoyed it, I’m glad it’s the end. I need to warm up, preferably with a hot beverage and a hotter shower.
A red truck cruises down the street, Dax behind the wheel.
“There’s Dax,” Jace shouts, jumping from his seat and waving his arms. “And Santa.” His arms wave wildly, calling out Santa’s name at the top of his lungs.
“Will he be disappointed when he realizes it’s Beckett?” Heidi muses. Next to her, Isla is bundled up in a snowsuit with fur around the hood, sitting on Lenny’s shoulders, offering her the best view. She looks adorable, clapping her hands, having the time of her life.
“Long as Atlas doesn’t say a word, he won’t figure it out.” I hope. Much as we’ve explained there are “helper” Santas, he’s too young to have the magic of Christmas ruined. Especially by his uncle. I didn’t tell Atlas it was Uncle Beckett, but the kid’s perceptive. Takes after his aunt that way.
As the truck comes to a stop, I catch sight of Dax’s gaze on me. I wave, and he returns it with one of his own. Damn, he’s sexy, and I’m smitten. I can’t get enough of him.
Santa waves to his fans, and I breathe a sigh of relief when he stays in the truck. “Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas!” he calls out, sounding almost nothing like Beckett. He deepened his voice, totally getting into character.
Heidi hip bumps me. “Dax is staring at you like you’re his next meal. Make sure you tell him to tone it down, would ya? It’s gross thinking of my brother that way.” She shudders, though it might be from the gust of wind kicking up around us.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I tell her, meeting Dax’s heated stare.
All too soon, the truck moves again, and Santa and his driver are driving away, signaling the end of the parade.
Jace runs up to me. “It’s over?” His little face can’t decide whether to be happy or sad.
“It is, but that was so fun, right?”
“Yeah. Now what?”
“Now, we go inside and drink hot chocolate while we wait for Uncle Beckett and Dax to finish up their parade duties.”
“I saw Dax driving Santa’s truck, but where was Uncle Beckett?” Atlas questions, his tone serious. “How did I miss him?”
“He usually walks alongside one float. Maybe he was on the other side where you couldn’t see him,” Heidi lies.
“Oh, bummer.”
Relieved that was an easy answer, I help them fold up their chairs before we trudge inside to warm up. It’s our first visit to the B and B, and I’m curious to check it out.
The boys shake off their coats and boots in the doorway, leaving them for me to pick up as they take off after Lenny to see something “really cool.” I spy a fire in the living room to my left, and after removing my coat, I plant myself on the couch,stretching my hands—even with ski gloves, are completely frozen—close to the warmth without burning them. “I’m never leaving this position. Have my mail forwarded and my meals delivered.”
“How will you use the bathroom?” Leave it to Willa to be practical.
“I’ll have some adult diapers delivered.”
“Gross, Clementine.” Willa’s got Isla in her arms, and she’s glowing.
“You look good with a baby, sis.”
“Thank you. Don’t tell Heidi I’m borrowing her for the evening.”
“I heard that,” Heidi says, coming into the room with a tray of mugs. She hands one to me and places the tray on the coffee table, grabbing one for herself. “Lenny would never let me live it down if you took her tonight, but tomorrow night, she’s all yours.” She cocks her head to the side. “Maybe you could seriously take her tomorrow. She’s been the biggest cockblocker lately, and Lenny’s annoyed.”
“Of course, we’d love to have her.” Willa covers Isla’s ears with her hands. “Have all the sex without having to worry about her.”
