Christmas Showdown

by Mackenzie McKade

The desert area of Arizona was amazing. During this season the days were usually in the seventies, but it was just as likely that the weather could reach the low eighties or dip down into the fifties. The reason she had chosen this part of the country was its dryness. A change from the snow and ice Denver offered.

  As she fought with the latch of the car seat, Trey came over to assist her. “Looks like perhaps we need a new one. Two. One for each of our vehicles.”

  Kelly didn’t say anything because he was right. Instead, she looked over at her car. “Maybe I should follow you.”

  “We’ll come back after Christmas and get it.”

  She turned to cast a sideways glance at him. “This wouldn’t be a ploy to take away my ability to leave when I want?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.” She didn’t miss the gleam in his eyes as he held the door. Then he jerked his head. “Get in.” When she did, he slammed it shut.

  As he passed in front of the vehicle, she watched him move with an air of confidence and strength. He truly was a handsome man. A man who she knew could make her tingle like no one had ever done before. By the time he climbed in, the first seeds of arousal were firmly planted in her head. She turned away from his gaze, not wanting him to see how he affected her.

  The truck roared to life, jerking when he shifted into gear. Pulling away from her home, she knew agreeing to move in with him was a bad idea. It didn’t help that she hadn’t slept with a man since her encounter with Trey two years ago.

  Who had time? She certainly hadn’t.

  Once she discovered she was pregnant and began to show, her friends had started to dwindle. After TJ was born, her life had revolved around him. So the last memory of being with a man had been with Trey. How he had held her, kissed her, made every inch of her body sing with pleasure.

  “Any place you’d prefer to eat?” he asked.

  Unexpectedly, her mind went south and she wondered what he would taste like? What it would feel like if he went down on her? Moisture dampened her panties and she pinched her legs together. She had to stop thinking like this.

  “Kelly?”

  “Uh?” She chanced a glance back at him.

  He smiled, his eyes glued to the road before him. “Breakfast?”

  “Any place is fine with me.”

  Trey slid his gaze once more to her. “Did you know you get wrinkles in your forehead when you think too hard?”

  “I do not.” Reaching up, she felt several ridges in her forehead. Dammit. He was right.

  “See,” he chuckled. “You know you might be more comfortable if you lean back and take it easy.”

  Yeah. Easy for you to say—not so easy for me to do.

  As Trey pulled his truck into the parking lot of the restaurant, he wished Kelly could just relax, but clearly she was strung as tight as a fiddler’s bow. Getting out, he moved quickly to open her door and then TJ’s, peeling his son out of the car seat. The boy had been good during the drive, but now he reached for Trey’s hat, pulling the brim down.

  Reaching out her arms, Kelly stepped forward. “I’ll take him.”

  “He’s okay.” Trey guided TJ’s hand down. “No, li’l buckaroo. That’s Daddy’s hat.” Resting his son on his hip, he bent into the truck, pulled out a box and flipped the top off. “This is your hat.” He seated the small black felt hat on the boy’s head, pleased to see he had guessed the right size.

  “When did you buy that?”

  “I had a little trouble sleeping last night. Drove around some and discovered a lot of stores were open until midnight for Christmas, including the Western wear store. Got there just before the doors closed. I bought the little guy some boots, jeans and a shirt, too.”

  TJ tugged at the hat until he had it off and in his hands. He stared at it curiously, and then at Trey’s, fussing when he couldn’t get it back on his head. Trey helped him and together they walked into the restaurant.

  Even though it was early, the place was packed. Christmastime brought people out in droves. Of course, it was the last day of shopping, so Trey wasn’t the only one waiting until the last minute. Then again, he did pick up a few items, like the hat, last night after he left his parents’ house.

  Two large parties were waiting to be seated, so when a smaller table opened up their name was called.

  “We’ll need a high chair,” Kelly said to the hostess.

  By the time she had removed TJ’s coat and hat the woman had returned with a high chair. The young brunette removed the tray and Kelly placed TJ in the seat.

  With the tray in place, TJ banged on the surface until Kelly grabbed his hand. “No. We don’t pound on the tray.”

  “I noticed you didn’t have one of these things at your condominium. Maybe we should pick one up.”

  Kelly released a heavy sigh and took a seat in the booth across from him. But he saw her eyes grow weary, her cheeks redden before she shoved the menu in front of her face.

  Shit. He’d made her feel inadequate again. Chastising himself, he decided on a different approach. “You know what would be fun?”

  She lowered the menu just enough that he could see her eyes. “What?”

  “The things in the guest bedroom aren’t age appropriate for this li’l buckaroo. Why don’t we hit a furniture store and pick out all new things? I don’t have the slightest idea what to get and you will.”

  Setting the menu on the table, she turned her attention to him. “I thought he’d sleep with me. I mean—”

  “Come on, Momma,” Trey groaned playfully. “TJ needs a big-boy room of his own. Someplace he can play and roughhouse. What do you say?”

  Finally she smiled. It was the first one today. “You’ll spoil him.” Love beamed as she looked at their son.

  “I won’t be the only one. Wait until my family gets a hold of him.”

  “Trey.” She frowned and he felt the air between them tense. “I’ve been meaning to speak to you about that. Perhaps we shouldn’t say anything to anyone until we’re sure this will work. TJ and I can stay at your house tomorrow, while you go—”

  “Too late. Mom said she expects us no later than ten tomorrow morning for brunch. Everyone wants to meet you and TJ.” The waitress walked up at that moment with a pot of coffee and he nodded. “What sounds good to you?” He picked up the cup and blew the steam off the top.

  After the waitress took their order, they settled in, listening to the hustle and bustle around them. Children’s squeals of delights and some crying rose above the Christmas music playing softly overhead. Bulbs hung from the ceiling along with silver garland, while strings of twinkling lights lined the countertops. The festive feeling seeped beneath his skin and he began to hum along with “The Little Drummer Boy” tune, as he tapped on the tray to get TJ’s attention.

  When Kelly’s gaze met his, he wagged his brows. “’Tis the season.”

  Damn. The woman was beautiful.

  Today she wore another lightweight sweater and jeans that molded her ass like a second skin. The pair of brown boots on her feet looked as if they had been recently buffed into a shine. Her flowing waves of red hair had been tamed in a ponytail, while her beautiful green eyes appeared laden with the weight of the world.

  Not that Trey was a cynic, but most women he dated wanted something from a man, whether it was pretty gifts, financial security or a relationship. Kelly didn’t want any of those things from him, which was probably the reason she brought out the protective side of him. He noted that TJ’s coat appeared relatively new, while her own was clean, but worn. Well, he’d rectify that today.

  TJ gnawed on a sausage link, his small fingers holding on to it with a death grip. His mother pushed her eggs around the plate, nibbling occasionally on a piece of dry toast. Trey, on the other hand, found that his appetite was in good spirits as he cleaned his plate.

  Finishing off his coffee, he set the cup down. “What do you say we hit the furniture store first?” He stood, slipping on his coat while Kelly attempted to wipe the gre
ase off TJ’s hands. When the tray was removed, Trey swore more food lay upon the floor than in the kid’s belly. He’d forgotten how messy children were. Paying the bill, he left a larger tip then usual. Kelly and TJ were already at the truck when he walked out of the restaurant. In no time they were off.

  The furniture shop was bustling. It looked like everyone else had had the same idea. He maneuvered the truck into one of the last parking spaces and shut it off, but before they could go inside, the ungodly stench coming from their son demanded attention. Once TJ was fresh smelling and the dirty diaper disposed of, Trey football-carried his son to the front doors. The second they entered the store, Kelly’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

  Trey knew at that moment he had done something right this time. “Choose anything you want for him.”

  Kelly’s heart pounded. These days she never purchased anything new, especially furniture, though at times she wandered through different stores while she made a mental list of what she’d buy him if she had the money. Of course, those daydreams included a small house with a backyard and a puppy, maybe a Cairn terrier or a beagle.

  When a saleswoman about the age of forty approached, Kelly watched the blonde scan Trey from head to toe before she smiled. “Can I help you?”

  “We need some furniture for this little guy.” Trey bounced TJ into the air and he giggled.

  Maybe Kelly should inform him that jostling a child after he’s just eaten wasn’t a good idea. Then she silently grinned. No. Let him discover that on his own. They’d be back in their own home in no time.

  “We have some great sales on now. Follow me.” Leading the way to the counter, she glanced over a shoulder, batting her eyelashes at Trey. “I’m assuming you’ll want the entire suite?”

  Kelly was preparing to say no, just a bed and dresser, when Trey replied, “Yes. The entire getup. What about a crib?”

  “I haven’t been able to keep him in one for a while now.”

  “A youth bed?” The saleswoman asked.

  “I want something he’ll be able to grow into,” Trey said.

  A youth bed probably would have been a better choice, but this was his money and Kelly wouldn’t interfere. Besides TJ had slept in a full-size bed for some time.

  The first bedroom set the woman showed them had a ladder leading up to a bunk bed. “Do you like this?” Trey asked.

  “Uh. No. Unless you want to make another trip to urgent care, this time for a cracked skull or a broken arm.”

  “That’s a definite no on bunk beds,” he stated firmly.

  The next set was made out of pine. Before she could say anything, Trey said, “No. Pine is a soft wood. Do you have something in oak?”

  The saleswoman did and surprisingly both Trey and Kelly agreed that the double bed would allow for growth and the desk he could use in the future.

  “I want the same linen and spread you have on it, too,” Trey added. The comforter was a Western motif, the sheets had roping cowboys on it. “In fact, give us at least three sets of sheets. We’ll take the bedding with us, but I want the rest delivered and set up this evening. Will there be any problem with that?”

  “Not at all. If you’ll follow me we can take care of everything.”

  Kelly was shell-shocked when Trey, holding TJ, and the saleswoman walked off.

  When they returned, Trey smiled. “Now let’s get a stroller and a high chair.”

  “No!” Her throat tightened against unshed tears. She squared her shoulders, her pride smarting. Trey had purchased more for their child in an hour then she had all his life. “You’ve done enough.”

  “Darlin’, please. You’ve done so much and I nothing. Besides, we both know TJ needs these things. Let me do this for our son.”

  He was right. Biting her bottom lip to contain her emotion, she nodded, giving in and hoping she wouldn’t regret it later.

  The next stop was a children’s store. They not only got a stroller, which Trey immediately placed TJ in, but a high chair, two brand-new car seats, and a toy box.

  But it didn’t stop there.

  Trey picked out a remote-control truck, which she had the sneaking suspicion was more for the big boy than the little one. The man’s eyes grew large when he saw a train set that would never fit in her small condominium. Not only did he buy one for TJ, but the exact same set for one of his nephews. There was a rocking horse, a yellow-and-red car with a trailer behind it, a wagon, a tool set, and several more gifts for TJ and his nephews. Trey didn’t forget his nieces either, choosing what he called girly things that made Kelly laugh.

  Before the cashier could ring up all his purchases, he cried, “Wait! Ring me up another one of those remote-control trucks.” When Kelly raised a brow, he said, “What? How are we going to race them tomorrow if there isn’t at least two?”

  “I’m not even going to comment on that logic.” She shook her head, remembering that saying that men never grew up. But Trey would learn quickly that raising a child was more than buying him gifts.

  Chapter Six

  The day had been a great success. Not only had Trey finished all his shopping by two, but Kelly finally appeared relaxed. Not exactly happy, but she wasn’t frowning anymore. The prettiest smile he had ever seen curved those delicious rosy lips of hers.

  Every once in a while she would gaze back into his truck bed. “You shouldn’t have purchased so much. TJ won’t know what to play with first.”

  Trey had tried on several occasions to purchase her some items, but she had refused him. Learning quickly, he gave up asking and purchased items under the guise of being for his sisters or mother, and that included a woman’s black leather jacket like his.

  As he maneuvered his truck down the driveway, he pulled before his single-story ranch house and drew to a stop.

  Her jaw dropped, her eyes widening. “This is your house?”

  “Uh huh. The backyard is fenced so you don’t have to worry about TJ wandering off. Damn. I should have bought him a swing set. Guess that will have to wait until after Christmas. Of course I could go back to the store and buy a swing for that large oak tree over there.” That specific tree had been the reason he built his house where he did. It was a magnificent tree, one he and his brothers had climbed many times.

  “Maybe you should, because I’m not sure he’ll be able to wait a couple of days. In fact, I expect him to burst out in tears any minute.”

  Trey glanced over his shoulder at the sleeping child, realizing she was teasing him. “Ha. Ha.”

  She smirked, her grin faltering when the furniture truck pulled up behind them. While Kelly got the slumbering TJ out of the backseat, Trey opened the front door for the men. He led them through the house, showing them what room the new furniture needed to go in, but first they had to move the old furniture. Opening the garage, he went to the truck to get a load of presents to take into the house. When he entered through the front door, he saw Kelly holding TJ in her arms, staring at her surroundings.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked, placing the items on the leather sofa before he approached her.

  “It’s beautiful, Trey.”

  He caught the scent of antiseptic over a warm vanilla aroma that lingered throughout. “I can’t take all the credit. Mom and the girls swung by this morning to do some cleaning. I think they also filled the refrigerator. If I know them, they did the sheets on the beds as well, but we might want to toss TJ’s into the washer. Here, why don’t you put him in my bedroom?”

  Kelly followed him down the hall to the double doors at the end. He swung them wide and moved aside for her to enter. She stopped just inside and looked at the four-poster king-size bed.

  Seeing her inside his lair sent a possessive wave through him. He wanted her on that bed—naked—in his arms.

  “The bed sits so high I’m afraid he’ll hurt himself if he rolls off. Where will I be sleeping?”

  So much for having her naked in his bed.

  “Right down the hall.” He led the way. />
  The bed inside this room was queen-size, and in reality, the plush mattress made it just as high off the carpeted floor as his was. Still she laid the sleeping child between several pillows, pulling the edge of the comforter over him to keep him warm.

  “I’ll help you get the rest of the things in from the truck, and then if you’ll show me where the washer is I’ll take care of TJ’s sheets.”

  They worked in silence, passing each other in the process, until everything they’d bought lay scattered around the living room. Some of the bigger items that wouldn’t be wrapped, like the rocking horse and the car and trailer, he carried to his bedroom and placed in the walk-in closet.

  When he re-entered the living room, Kelly was gone. He strolled into the kitchen and saw the door of the laundry room open. She was busy inside unwrapping sheets and stuffing them into the washer.

  Trey realized how right it looked to have her in his house. Smiling, he turned away and opened the refrigerator. His grin widened at the twelve pack of beer.

  “Thank you, Suz,” he murmured, before raising his voice. “You want something to drink? Maybe a beer?”

  “Okay.”

  Popping the top on two cold ones, he sauntered into the laundry room and pressed a bottle into her hand.

  She raised the beer to her lips, the muscles in her slender throat working as she took a drink. “Ahhh. I haven’t had alcohol in so long. Thank you.”

  “I was going to call for Chinese, but I thought I’d better ask if you would prefer something else.”

  Kelly set the bottle down and started picking up the wrappers to the sheets. “I could cook.”

  He grabbed both of their beers and followed her into the kitchen. “Under the sink,” he said, motioning to the trash can. “I’d don’t think we’ll have the time for you to cook.” He handed her a beer.

  “Time?” She took a sip.

  “Did you see how many presents we have to wrap? I think it’ll take us all night. I just hope I bought enough paper and tape.”

  “You’re probably right. Chinese would be great. Just make sure you order some kind of noodles for TJ and egg rolls.”