by T. A. Foster
“And sometimes we go over to Pete’s and have dinner and drinks. Most of our friends hang out there.”
“That’s the bar across the street, right?” She turned the car into an open slot in front of the studio.
“Yes.” I wasn’t sure if the line of questioning meant anything. “Mom, is there something else you’re trying to ask me?”
She reached in the backseat for her bag and mat. “No, honey. I just want to know what your life with Grey is like. That’s all.” She unclipped her seat belt and pushed open the car door. “Come on. Class is waiting.”
I followed her into the studio, not exactly sure I had given her the right answers.
The rest of the week flew by. I always forgot that part about the holidays. It seemed like if we didn’t have work and responsibilities at home that our vacation should linger on, but it was the opposite. Before I knew it, it was Thursday night and Grey and I were headed to Wonderland Lights.
Spending the evening with Mason wasn’t at the top of his priority list, but at least he was giving it a try.
“And why is it we are going on a double date? I’d be fine hanging out at the house with your parents if you wanted a girls’ night with Taylor.”
Ok, maybe he wasn’t completely open to the experience.
I pointed to our exit. “Turn there.” I could see a line of cars from the highway. “Because it’s Christmas and Christmas is about friends and family. Taylor’s my friend and Mason is your—”
“Don’t say it. Don’t even try that, Eden. Mason and I are business partners.” Grey slowed the car in the lane in front of us.
“Sorry. I just want you to have family. I’m not trying to put you two together. If it wasn’t my only chance to see Taylor while I’m home, I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
His hand clutched mine against my leg. “I know you’re trying to help.” He turned toward me. “But you’ve got to let Mason and I figure this out. Right now we are business partners.”
“That’s something.” I smiled. I pulled out my phone to text Taylor and let her know we were somewhere in this pack of cars.
“Have you ever been here before?” Grey asked.
“No, but I always wanted to go. They have hayrides that take you through the lights, and there’s hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate.”
“Then I will make sure you get all the hot chocolate you want.” He leaned across the console and brushed his lips against mine.
I sighed as I felt the tender kiss spread warmth throughout my limbs. I leaned into him, eager to taste more of his lips. A car honked behind us.
“I better watch the line.” Grey straightened his shoulders and focused on the steering wheel.
I giggled. I could tell the kiss had him breathing heavier too.
My phone buzzed. “It’s Taylor. She said they are waiting for us outside the ticket booth.”
“Great,” Grey muttered.
“We’re going to have fun.” I curled my fingers against the inside of his thigh. “And just think about all the fun we’ll have tonight when we’re alone.” I smiled when he cleared his throat.
I wasn’t sure what it was about Christmas sex, but we had officially taken things to an entirely new level. Maybe it was the romance of the tree and the lights, or the late night cocktails and being surrounded by a snowy wonderland. Maybe it was because there was no stress waiting for us when we woke up each morning. It was Grey, me, and Christmas. Whatever magic it was, it had taken our physical relationship to a place I didn’t even know existed.
One of the parking lot ushers, dressed like an elf, flagged us into an open spot at the end of one of the fields. We pulled on our gloves and started the short walk to the ticket office.
Taylor ran toward me before we were inside the gate.
“Merry Christmas!” she squealed then hugged me.
“Merry Christmas. This place is crazy. It’s bigger than on the commercials.” I looked at the tractors lined up for the hayrides.
“I know. Isn’t it amazing?” She beamed. “Hey, Grey. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Taylor.”
Mason sauntered toward us holding four tickets. “Hey y’all. I got all the tickets so we don’t have to wait in line anymore. Maybe get ahead of the crowd.”
Grey opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “Aww, that was sweet of you, Mason. Thanks.” I took our two tickets from him and handed one to Grey.
He grumbled under his breath, but took the ticket and handed it to the elf at the gate.
“Hayride first?” Taylor asked. “I want to see the lights.”
“Yes, let’s do it.” I followed her to the closest tractor and climbed up. Grey and I shuffled to the center bale of hay.
Taylor sat next to me and Mason planted himself on the other side of her, wrapping an arm over her shoulder. They looked happy. I wondered if the Christmas magic had gotten to them too.
The farmer, in his Santa hat, started the engine and it sputtered to life, throwing putt putt sounds into the air as we rambled into the woods. The only thing that would make this better was if it would start snowing right now. There was enough on the ground to cast everything in a white light, but there was something enchanting about falling snow.
Grey nuzzled against my neck.
“Are you even looking at the lights,” I whispered.
“Not really.” He hooked his hand around my hip and brought me against his side.
“Lights, Grey. We’re here to see lights,” I teased.
I don’t know how the farmer came up with this extravagant display, but it was amazing—everything the advertisements promised it would be. We were on the hayride for thirty minutes, passing under waterfalls of lights, traveling over streams outlined with sparkling lights, and through a maze of red and green twinkle lights.
When the tractor came to a stop, everyone moaned. We weren’t ready for it to be over.
“Didn’t you want some hot chocolate?” Grey asked.
I nodded. “Definitely. I’m frozen.”
He helped me from the back of the trailer and we walked into the village. Taylor and I waited at a barrel that had been converted into a table. A few minutes passed before Mason and Grey appeared with four steeping cups of hot chocolate.
“I had them add extra marshmallows.” Grey handed me mine and I watched as the steam swirled over the lid.
“Thank you.”
“So, Mason. How long are you staying in North Carolina?”
My eyes widened. What just happened? Grey started small talk with Mason? This had to be a Christmas apocalypse.
“I told Taylor I’d stay as long as she wants me to be here. She’s at her mom’s house now and I’ve got the guestroom.” He smiled at her over his cup.
Taylor piped in. “You know I want you to stay until New Year’s.” Her lips puckered in a pout.
“Sweetheart, I don’t know if that’s possible, but we’ll figure something out.” He reached for her hand. “What about you two? When are you headed back to Padre?”
“We’re going back the day after Christmas,” Grey answered.
That was only three days away. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and the Christmas bubble we were living in would be over soon. I wished I could figure out a way to make this go on forever.
Taylor shrieked, and I turned around to see what she was excited about. There was a band on stage warming up their instruments.
“Do you know them?” I asked.
“They were one of my favorite bands in high school. Obviously, they never made it big, but they are awesome.”
Mason looked amused. “You want to dance?”
“Yes!” She jumped off her bar stool and followed him to the dance floor that had been set up in the middle of the Christmas village. I watched as they started to sway to a rendition of Baby, Please Come Home for Christmas.
“They look cute together, don’t they?” I turned to Grey.
He placed his hot chocolate on the table. “I guess
so.” He stood from the table. “Want to dance?”
“You want to dance?” I looked around. Grey seldom danced, even though he was good at it.
“Pretty girl, are you going to dance with me?” His hand hovered near my hip.
“Absolutely.”
They weren’t Texas stars and it wasn’t a Texas band, but there under my Carolina stars, Grey and I danced surrounded by elves, kids, snow, and the most potent Christmas magic.
Christmas Eve. The last day to buy goodies, get them wrapped, and placed under the tree. I awoke in complete panic. Grey’s gifts. Oh my God, how could I forget? They were back in Texas and I had nothing to give him tomorrow. We were supposed to have our Christmas together when I flew in the day after Christmas.
I threw the covers off my legs and hustled to the bathroom. I caught a glimpse of Grey from the corner of my eye. He was sitting in the living room with a cup of coffee and the paper.
I paused in the doorway. “Good morning.”
“Hey, darlin’. How’d you sleep?”
“Good.” I smiled. “Since when do you read the paper?”
“Oh, your dad brought it over for me.” He returned to the pages.
“Huh.” I closed the door behind me and turned on the shower. Maybe my dad would be the perfect person to keep Grey distracted while I tried to go shopping. I dreaded the thought of facing the Christmas Eve crowds, but I couldn’t let Grey wake up without a present under the tree from me.
My other obstacle was figuring out what that gift would be. I had already purchased a new drill, belt, and travel coffee mug for him. However, those were wrapped and stashed in the back of my closet. This had to be something special. Something that he would remember for the rest of our Christmases.
I darted into the main house in search of my mother. “Mom, you here?”
“What’s going on, honey?”
I found her in the dining room sorting cookies into tins. How did she find so many projects?
“I have to buy a present for Grey. All the ones I have for him are back home. Can I borrow your car?”
“Of course you can. But you know Dad and I got him a few things, so he’ll have something to open. I’m sure he doesn’t expect you to get him double the gifts.”
“I know he doesn’t. He would never expect that, but I have to. I have to make this Christmas perfect, and if he doesn’t have anything from me under the tree…” My words trailed off.
My mother placed her hands on my shoulders. “I think Grey’s gift is being with you. He doesn’t want anything else, Eden.”
I tried to figure out her meaning, but I didn’t have time for more of her cryptic life lessons. I had to get a gift.
“Can you ask Dad to give him a project for a couple of hours while I’m gone? He’s drinking coffee and reading the paper in the guesthouse.”
“Sounds like someone else I know.” She smiled. “I’ll tell Dad, but I’ve got a few things I could use a hand with. Hurry so you don’t miss lunch. Good luck.”
“Thanks.” I grabbed her keys off the hook and rushed out the door. I had two hours to find the most perfect Christmas gift ever created.
The mall was packed. I didn’t even want to attempt the parking garage, fearing I would be stuck there for hours without even making it into a store. I opted for a perimeter patrol and found an open spot at the far corner of the lot.
As soon as I walked through the automatic doors and heard the Christmas music, I knew I was in the wrong place. What was I thinking going to the mall to shop for Grey? Was I planning on getting him an Abercrombie sweater or a watch from a department store? I turned back around and headed for the car. I needed a Plan B.
I could smell the ham before I even entered the house.
“Eden, that you?” Mom called from the kitchen.
“Yes.” I peeked around the corner, worried Grey might be lurking nearby.
“Come on in. The guys are in the shed again working on the motorcycle. Why don’t you hide that in your room, and you can wrap it later?” She pointed to the bag I was carrying. “I told them lunch would be ready in ten minutes, so they’re likely to walk in here any minute.”
“Ok, thanks.” I hurried past her and down the hall. I stashed the gift under my bed. I was still doubting my choice. What if Grey didn’t like it? There wasn’t anything I could do now. Lunch was being served and the stores would close early for Christmas Eve. At least I had a new power drill for him back home.
I walked down the hall, listening to what had now become the familiar banter between Grey and my father.
“Well, we’ve hit all the spark plugs. I can’t imagine what else it could be?”
“There’s a reason the engine’s not running. Let’s take another look after lunch.” Grey sat in the seat opposite my father.
“There she is. How was your trip, pumpkin?” Dad grinned.
“Good.” I hoped he didn’t ask any more questions. He was supposed to be in on my secret mission.
Grey’s eyes lit up when I sat next to him, and I felt his hand squeeze my leg under the table. “I heard you had to make some deliveries for your mom. Everything go ok?”
“Mmmhmm.” I nodded.
“Lunch is ready.” My mother announced, and placed a platter on the table. “Eden, do you want to help me with the luminaries after lunch? I have the bags of sand in the garage and the bags ready to go.”
“Sure. No problem.” Our neighborhood always lined the streets with white paper luminaries every Christmas Eve. It was the responsibility of each neighbor to distribute their own and clean up the next day, but they were beautiful when they were all lit.
“What about the Turnwells? Do you think I should ask if they need help?” I hadn’t been by to visit Miss Peg like I promised Mr. Turnwell. My time was dwindling, and I needed to make a trip across the street to see her.
“That sounds like a good idea. We can make a big assembly line and knock them both out.” My mom seemed pleased with the plan.
“I’ll help you too, darlin’.” Grey shoved a forkful of ham on his plate.
“Thanks.” My eyes locked on his. There it was again. That look I remembered from Marin’s wedding. The one that caught me off guard, but at the same time felt like home. In one short week, Grey had shown me that he was more a part of my life than ever before. We were building something together. I blinked back a tear that was fighting its way to the surface. Love was amazing. It could even make me cry.
After lunch, Grey left my dad with another angle to try for the bike, and he and I walked to the Turnwells. Most of the snow had melted to mush. We needed a nice arctic blast to roll through and snow us in for the night.
I knocked on the door.
“Eden. So good to see you. Merry Christmas.” Mr. Turnwell stood holding the door open.
“Merry Christmas to you too. Mr. Turnwell, this is my boyfriend, Grey.”
Grey extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise. Come on in, you two. Peg will be so glad to see you.”
We followed him through the foyer and into the great room. Peg was wrapped in a blanket on the couch near a roaring fire. She placed the book she was reading in her lap.
“Eden, so good to see you. I thought I heard your voice at the door.”
I crossed the room to give her a hug. “I’m sorry I haven’t been by sooner.” I sat in a chair next to her. “Miss Peg, this is my boyfriend, Grey.” He walked closer to us, smiled, and took the frail woman’s hand in his.
“I’ve heard a lot of great stories about you, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you.”
I thought I saw Miss Peg blush. I knew the feeling. Grey had that effect on women, especially if you made the mistake of looking directly into those piercing eyes.
“Sit, sit.” She motioned to him. “Tell me what’s going on in Texas. I haven’t talked to your mother in a while.”
Grey and I sat for an hour recounting our new life together in South Padre while Mr. Turnwell bro
ught us cookies and drinks and Miss Peg asked a hundred questions. After the third time she yawned, I thought we should probably head home. I stood to leave.
“Before we go, we were wondering if we could help with your luminaries tonight.”
Mr. Turnwell looked at the floor. “Oh, I can do it, Eden. Don’t worry.”
“But we’d like to,” I urged. I didn’t want him to be embarrassed. They had a lot on their plate.
Grey stepped forward. “Sir, I asked Eden if I could help her this year, and it would be great if we had a few extra bags in the assembly line so I can really get indoctrinated into the neighborhood traditions.”
A smile spread across Mr. Turnwell’s face. “I see. I see. Well, sure. We’d be happy to have the help and break you into the neighborhood. I’ve got everything in the garage, just haven’t started putting them together.”
“Merry Christmas, Eden,” Miss Peg called. “Thanks for the visit.”
I leaned to kiss her soft cheek. “Merry Christmas.”
Grey and I walked back home, his arms loaded with bags of sand and mine with tealight candles and white paper bags.
After the last scoop of sand was poured into the bag and the candle placed inside, we placed the luminaries in my old red wagon and wheeled them down the driveway.
Grey started the row near the mailbox and eyeballed the measurements, making sure they were equal distance apart.
“Not bad for a newbie.” I laughed.
He was studying the alignment, his brow furrowed. “I need to move a few.” He squatted next to the curb and rearranged the bags.
“They’re fine. They’re more than fine. I think they are perfect.”
I could tell he wasn’t satisfied. I guess I was lucky he didn’t bring a tape measure from the garage and mark off the inches.
I turned toward the Turnwells. “Ok, now this side of the street.”
He wheeled the wagon over the asphalt and started a neat line of the paper bags. It looked like he was even more determined this time to make sure they were the right distance from each other.
When he finished, we stood back and surveyed the rows.