Page 326 of Screwged for Christmas

She turned smiling, “Are you sure? It’s going to be cold and you have to wear the ugliest sweater. Can you guys handle that?”

All three cracked up when she scrunched up her nose with her question.

“Our mom makes us wear ugly sweaters every day,” proclaimed the smallest. “We have lots of practice.” All the ‘R’s were cut and gave his words a cute lisp that warmed her heart.

They were right. The evidence was clear. She’d wager they would give the yearly contestants of the ugly sweater contest this evening a run for their money.

“Kids, I tell ya.” Mrs. Howard looked abashed by her slightly questionable choices of winter wear for her kids.

Mr. Wilber swooped in for the rescue. “The chief told us about your little predicament while you were changing, dear, and we would like to help.” He looked about the place and she caught a twinkle of delight on his face.

Ivy froze. About that.

“There’s no way I could ask that. Besides, you guys are here on vacation. Not to work.”

“It won’t take long if we all pitch in,” Mrs. Howard reassured her.

“Besides, you didn’t ask, dear,” Mr. Murphy countered, smiling.

Mr. Wilber took her hand, “You know, when I was younger I liked to get my hands dirty a bit. It would give us a chance to return a little to the place that has brought us so much joy over the holidays.”

“You guys don’t mind handling lights then? I can take care of the painting and putting in new curtains down here.” Why did she feel like the Ivy Effect was about to rear its ugly head? She had to protest. “You don’t have to do this.”

“It sounds fun. Plus, we can’t sit around all day. And we get to boss around the men for a few hours while drinking some wine.” Mrs. Wilber patted her husband’s hand and nodded as if the deal was done.

Well then. “Follow me. I’ll grab the lights and show you where the ladder is then I’ll show you where all the extension cords and the like are located.”

Mr. Howard stepped up. “Mighty obliged, Ivy.”

She smiled and could easily see why his wife fell in love with the man. He made being Texan look downright charming.

Ivy wasn’t about to say no twice. She knew enough not to question offered help too much.

Aspen rounded the corner, phone in hand this time instead of his radio as she turned to lead the way to the porch, her new crew in tow.

She came to a stop in front of him and laced her fingers to keep them from fixing an unruly curl that swooshed across his forehead. “It seems we’re hanging lights, after all.”

“See. Everything works out. Just have to have a little faith, baby.” He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and she leaned into the warm weight of it for a brief second.

“You sound like Jon.”

“We were best friends for a reason, you know.”

“Yeah, lights.” Resounded the youngest again, bounding from one foot to the other between them, his energy as contagious as his holiday spirit. For once since Thanksgiving, she felt the magic that came with this time of year.

“Come on now. Outside. You wanted snow, well, there’s snow.” Mrs. Howard shuffled the kids along briefly, stopping to say, “You take a minute with your man, sweetie. We’ll go ahead and get started. Take your time.” She slipped out the front door without another word and frankly, Ivy was tired of telling everyone she and Aspen were not an item so she went with it.

“What was that all about?”

“Apparently everyone thinks you’re,” she threw up air quotes, “my man.”

“I was this morning,” Aspen said, raking a casual hand through his hair looking every bit as young as when that statement was true. He stepped closer and gathered her in his arms. Warm and protective. Reassuring. She may not be a fan of Christmas, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t take a few hours of light hanging if it meant he would stay. Admitting that to herself chipped away at her no-man-fly-zone resolve.

“This is reckless,” she muttered against his chest yet still unwilling to step away.

“I know what you’re saying baby, but the longer I look at these kids the more I want to see you round with my baby. Babies.

Well damn.

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