Ready For It (MacAteer Brothers #2) - M.L. Nystrom Page 0,83
pornography and solicitation of a minor. Details to follow.
Bevvie got the same alert I did. Our bugged eyes met, and both our mouths formed perfect Os. “Holy shit!” I mouthed at her. She nodded mutely.
Neither of us really knew what this news meant for the future, but we both knew one thing for certain. Principal Bradshaw no longer worked for the school system and wouldn’t be coming back. How in poor taste would it be to offer a high five to my best friend?
We ate the filling stew, nibbled on sugar cake, and watched the kids open presents. Jacob got his own soldering iron and other electric gizmo stuff I couldn’t quite figure out. Sarah got her own Kindle plus a lot of Amazon gift cards for books. Abby got a new smart phone with a blinged-out case and wireless earbuds. Mattie ignored the clothes and concentrated on the trick skateboard. Fortunately, knee pads, elbow guards, and an industrial strength helmet came with the gift.
I had only one small gift for Owen, but it meant a lot. At least, I hoped it did.
Connor and Bevvie gave themselves a gift of concert tickets and overnight resort accommodations at Harrah’s casino. It didn’t take a psychic to see Owen and I would be spending a weekend with the kids while Bevvie and Connor got it on with some slot machines and great music.
Owen handed me a Christmas card covered in candy cane and Santa Claus stickers. Mattie danced around us. “I helped decorate your card, Auntie M. Ain’t it pretty?”
“Isn’t. Not ain’t.” I opened the card, and several pictures fell out. A beautiful handmade crib of dark mahogany wood, a sturdy changing table, and a glider rocker met my eyes.
“Connor designed them. I built them.” Owen’s rumble filled me ear. “Too big to wrap. Sitting out there in the shop, ready to be moved in.”
I bumped his arm and snuggled under it next to his warm side. This routine and position had become a habit, and I doubted it would ever get old. “These are beautiful. Thank you, O-man.”
He looked at me with those gorgeous green eyes of his, and my breath disappeared. God in heaven, how did I get so lucky to have this man? I brushed at my eyes. “It’s just a bit of wood dust.”
Mattie broke the moment. “Ewww, they’re gonna go all kissy face!”
Sarah tapped at the screen on her Kindle. “That’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re boyfriend and girlfriend, doofus.”
“It’s still gross. I’m never getting a girlfriend if I have to do that.”
“Might change your mind someday, boy-o.” Connor remarked as he unwrapped Muttface’s present. The dog spun in circles at his feet until given the ginormous rawhide chew bone.
Only my gift to Owen remained, and I handed him a huge wrapped box. Mattie had helped with this one too and fidgeted while Owen carefully slit the paper with a pocket knife.
“Just tear it, Uncle Owen!”
Inside that box, he found another one, wrapped just as prettily with bows and ribbons. He gave me a wry look as if saying I know this game.
Four wrapped boxes later, he pulled out a small gift bag filled with paper and confetti. From the bag, he lifted a snap ring box. He popped it open to reveal a house key.
My stomach fluttered. “What do you think, O-man? Wanna move into a house instead of living in a camper?”
He held the key in the palm of his hand and stared at it for several moments. I held my breath. Too soon? Maybe he wasn’t ready? I hope I didn’t just fuck this up!
“Guess I n-n-need to add more closet space.”
My eyes grew wet. “I guess you do.”
He smiled and hugged me. The Grinch was not the only person at Christmas whose heart grew three times as big. Happiness burst and overflowed inside me. Junior flipped in agreement.
Later that night, we lay together in Bevvie’s guest room. The kids had zonked out immediately after presents and coming down from the excitement of the holiday. The whole house settled into post-Christmas lull. Owen snuggled behind me, spooning me in what had become our favorite position.
“Was that the man?”
I had been drifting into sleep, all warm and comfy. “What man?”
“The man at the church next to your brother. You stiffened up when you saw him.”
Owen’s voice sounded calm and rather nonchalant. His body stayed relaxed against mine, and his arm was secure around my front, holding me close. Safe. I felt safe.