Trade Deadline - Avon Gale Page 0,54
up twinkle lights and putting ornaments on a tiny tabletop tree. It wouldn’t be Christmas without decorations, Tabby insisted. Even if both their houses were already draped in enough tinsel and garland to open a holiday store, they had to bring some of that cheer to the houseboat, too.
As always, Daniel was more than happy to go along with her ideas. He let himself be put to work, utilizing his height advantage to place sparkly fake snowflakes in the hard-to-reach spots while Gretchen and Nathaniel hung stockings on the mantel above the electric fireplace.
Micah was in the kitchen with Daniel’s mother, Linda, helping prepare a turkey along with all the trimmings and her famous gingerbread cookies. His father, Ron, snoozed on a couch in front of the television, surrounded by Daniel’s pack of dogs. The scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves spiced the air, familiar and comforting, and Daniel caught himself smiling constantly as he listened to Micah and his mom reminisce.
His parents had been surprised and delighted to learn he’d reconnected with Micah. He hadn’t dropped the boyfriend bomb yet—mostly because he and Micah were taking things slow for the kids’ sake. Outside of Tabby and his closest friends, Daniel hadn’t mentioned it to anyone else either. Once the kids had been told, Daniel would tell the rest of his family, but there’d been so many changes lately, he didn’t want Nate and Gretchen to know until he was certain he and Micah were in it for the long haul.
“You look really happy,” Tabby whispered to him as Daniel affixed a star to the top of the artificial tree. The kids had run off to snag some cookies from their grandmother. “I haven’t seen you smile this much in a while. Every time he laughs, your face lights up. It’s like this automatic response, and it’s adorable.”
Heat suffused his cheeks, and Daniel ducked his head to hide the unexpected blush.
Tabby nudged him. “Hey, don’t be embarrassed. I don’t think anyone else will notice. But I know you. I know how you look when you’re in love.”
Daniel glanced up, stricken, to find her smiling at him gently. “Tabby.” His stomach twisted. “I don’t—we’re not—”
Tabby yanked him into a hug before he could finish. The smell of her perfume wrapped around him, easing the tension in his shoulders. “I’m not upset. I’m happy you’re happy, Daniel. I want this for you.”
Daniel puffed out a tremulous breath and held her close. “We haven’t talked about it. I mean...it’s so early.”
“When you know, you know,” Tabby said, her voice muffled against his chest. “We knew right away, didn’t we? And even though we’re not together anymore, I wouldn’t change a thing. Would you?”
Daniel shook his head. “Of course not.” Tabby was one of his soul mates. Someone meant to be in his life, always. He’d never regret their time together.
Tabby rubbed her hands up and down his back. “Come on, then. Let’s go see if they need help with the food.”
She pulled away, and Daniel took a moment to collect himself before following her into the kitchen.
Micah was in the middle of cutting sweet potatoes for his mom’s traditional casserole. He grinned at Daniel, his auburn bangs shadowing one eye and his face flushed pink from the warmth of the room. The color made his freckles stand out more vividly, and the pang in Daniel’s chest as he noticed proved Tabby right. He was falling in love with this man, his childhood confidant, his friend and playful lover. Micah was easy to love, and Daniel’s heart had no restraint, no concept of doing things by halves.
“Have a cookie,” Micah said, tilting his head toward the tray. “We just frosted them.”
Gretchen held one out to him. A smear of white icing gleamed at the corner of her mouth. “Here, Daddy.”
Daniel took the cookie and bit off the head. Sweetness and spice flowed over his tongue. “Mmm. Delicious. Best gingerbread man I’ve ever had.”
“Gingerbread person,” Gretchen corrected him. “Not just men. Girls can be cookies, too. Right, Mr. Micah?”
“Just Micah is fine, Gretch,” Micah said, chuckling. “And, yes, absolutely.”
Daniel spread his hands. “I stand corrected. This is the best gingerbread person ever.”
Gretchen nodded sagely and reached for another cookie.
“How many of those have you had?” Daniel asked before she got her sticky fingers on one.
Gretchen pouted. “Only three.”
“Three is enough for now.” Tabby put a hand on Gretchen’s dark curls. “You don’t want to spoil your dinner, right? And we need to save some for