Page 92 of Christmas Crisis
Last night, after I told her I doubted I’d ever have a high sex drive, that I loved making her come, but wasn’t sure my dick would cooperate every night, she scoffed at the notion that I was confessing something terrible.
“I don’t care ifsexual congress”—she curled her fingers—“is a big part of our routine or not, Bear. No one can convince me we haven’t been as intimate as any lovers, that you haven’t been the other half of me since we met. I honestly could not care less about how often tab A goes into slot B or whatever.”
“You’re sure?”
“Completely. You are everything I’ve ever wanted. Exactly as you are.”
I believed her. A few more days and I’d stop asking. Maybe.
As soon as we arrived at the Hoopla, Maureen and Will ventured off to film for her channel while James and Marley meandered toward the high school's booth. I saw Daniel there with his guitar. He blushed and nodded at Nan, sitting next to him and speaking animatedly to the group. With the love hearts beaming from his eyeballs, he belonged in the dictionary under the word “yearning.” Ah, well. Good luck. He was a senior this year. Maybe he’d finally shoot his shot once he and Nan were both in college. James and Marley had a rooting interest in this, and I realized that I did too, since my brother and sister-in-law spent a fair amount of time gushing about their students. Plus, it was tough not to cheer for an underdog. Especially at Christmas.
“What?” Miranda asked.
I pointed at the booth. “Daniel.”
She grinned. “I’m pretty sure Nan knows. Probably the whole town too.”
“More power to them. With how I’m feeling, I want everyone to be as happy as I am.”
Miranda pulled my coat open, slipping inside and snuggling against my torso. “I love you so much. I’m glad we found our way to each other.”
I kissed the top of her head just as Kasen approached, carrying Katy’s kids in his arms. Even though Rosie was nearly five, she still fit comfortably in his bent elbow.
“Knock it off, you two,” Kasen teased us in a fake-gruff voice. “There are children present.”
I reached out to shake his hand, settling for an awkward grab underneath where three-year-old Braxton perched on his forearm. “Everything turned out great, man. Thanks so much for helping me set up.”
Kasen squatted to put the kids on the ground. “Hey, I just did what you told me to. The whole town is grateful you stepped in to pick up the slack. Safe to say you’re an honorary Coleman Creeker now.”
“He’s already a Coleman Creeker by marriage,” Miranda chirped. “Don’t forget his brother is married to Marley.”
Kasen flinched but washed it quickly. We’d been talking over the past few days while we worked, and I’d gotten a bit of his history, including some about the eight years during high school and college when he dated Marley. I knew he’d once tried to get her back, but she’d already fallen head over heels for James. They’d all managed to become friends, but I got the impression there was a scab there. At least for Kasen.
Thankfully, most of our discussions had focused on the work. I’d been pleased to discover that he possessed natural carpentry skills. His eye for detail made sense, since he worked as a graphic designer. While I made sure the booths were stable and the lighting and PA systems worked properly, he’d touched up the paint, set up the craft vendors' tables in neat rows with eye-catching displays, and printed fun new menus for the food stalls.
Because we’d had extra time, he also strung up more lights than the event usually had. I’d heard multiple people remark on how magical it was to have the twinkling colors twined around every lamppost, storefront sign, and tree on Main Street.
Braxton tugged on Kasen’s leg and pointed at a family nearby. I recognized Travis and Vivienne Bloxham and their children.
“Sen, can we go see Scarlett and Connor?” Braxton asked.
Kasen made eye contact with Travis and hitched his neck toward Katy’s kids. Travis nodded. “Sure, Brax. Make sure to hold your sister’s hand.”
The little boy nodded solemnly. “I will.”
“You’re good with them,” Miranda said. “Katy’s lucky to have your help.”
Kasen shoved his hands in his pockets. “Like I said before, it’s not a thing. They’re great kids.”
“They are,” Miranda mused. She glanced over Kasen’s shoulders. “But where is Katy? I know The Landslide closed for the Hoopla.”
Kasen frowned. “She had to step away becausehecalled.” His voice remained level, but his expression thundered.
“Ah,” Miranda responded unartfully. What could she say? Even I knew that Katy’s ex was a jerk.
“I don’t want to gossip,” Kasen said, “but since Marley and I already know, I don’t think Katy’s keeping it a secret that Mike backed out of coming to visit for the holidays. He told the kids he would come for Thanksgiving, then begged off, and a few days ago, he canceled on Christmas.” Kasen shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Then just now, he had the nerve to call and tell Katy he was having a ‘little snafu with money.’ He asked her to put his name on a few of the gifts she bought.”
“That’s pretty low.” I grimaced.
