“She’s been through hell. Never been courted like she should have been. Never been loved like she should have been. The only time she was ever in a relationship was with my father, and he was a sadistic sonofabitch. Sweep her off her feet, let her feel how you feel about her. Let her roll around and coat herself in being loved and treasured. She deserves to be treated like the most valued female in the world.”
“Done,” Moe said, glancing from Richie back over to Constance. “What’s the second thing?”
“If you’re not sure it’s a forever thing with you, don’t lead her on. She’s strong, she could survive you walking away, but she really doesn’t need to,” Richie said.
“I’m going nowhere, Richie. Nowhere at all,” Moe said, raising a hand to pat Richie on the back.
“Glad to hear that,” Richie responded.
“Richie!” Yvette called out.
Richie turned and looked at Yvette who was waving at him from her seat.
“Chocolate and a cookie?” she asked, smiling sweetly at him.
Richie chuckled. “Of course, baby. I’ll be right there with it.” Richie glanced at Moe. “My woman needs sugar,” he said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Alright. Think I’ll get some for Constance, and Cristie, too,” Moe answered.
As they walked over to the refreshment table, they found Riley talking to Travis.
“I need two cups of hot chocolate, a brownie and a Christmas cookie,” Richie said.
“Coming right up,” Travis answered as he started getting Richie’s order together. A minute later he accepted payment from Richie, then handed over his order. “What about you, Moe? Can I get you something?” Travis asked.
“Yes, please. I’ll take three cookies, and two hot chocolates,” Moe answered.
“You got it,” Travis said, getting the order together and handing it over. Then he handed Riley a Christmas cookie for Sebastian. “Can he have this?” Travis asked.
“This kid eats anything. Except baby food,” Riley said, accepting the cookie from Travis and squatting down beside the stroller where Bastian was busy trying to take in all the sights at once.
“Hey, little man,” Riley said to get his attention.
Bastian pulled his gaze from the strands of brightly colored lights and looked at his Doddy. He grinned at him and started babbling.
“I know! It’s freaking awesome, isn’t it?” Riley asked the baby. “And look what Uncle Travis gave you!” Riley said, holding out the circular cookie, decorated to look like an ornament.
Sebastian’s eyes got wide and he reached out for the Christmas cookie, grabbing it with both hands before immediately bringing it to his mouth and beginning to gnaw on the edge of it.
“Maybe, I’ll just give you a piece of cookie,” Riley decided, trying to ease the cookie out of Sebastian’s hands.
Sebastian’s brows locked down over his little eyes, he wrinkled up his nose, and growled at Riley.
“Whoa! I think maybe you should let him have the whole cookie,” Travis said, laughing.
“Hey! Don’t you growl at me! I’m Doddy!” Riley said. He stayed where he was staring Sebastian in the eye until he finally looked away from his Doddy and started chewing on his cookie again.
Riley stood up shaking his head.
“Strong little booger,” Travis said on a chuckle.
“Yeah, that’s the wolf in him,” Riley said.
“Yeah, you tell yourself that. Both his parents have a stubborn streak,” Travis said with a grin.
“Gotta stare him down sometimes, make him break eye contact first so he knows who the boss is,” Riley said, looking down at his son proudly. Riley looked back up at Travis, who was sharing a secret look with Libby, who was still moving among the crafting tables. “Your time is coming,” Riley said.
“What?” Travis said, looking over at Riley.
“You’re a mated male, now. Natural progression of things is a child is next,” Riley said.
“In time. All in time. Just managed to win my female back. Want to cherish her a little before we start that journey,” Travis said.
“I get it,” Riley answered. He smiled at all the people who meandered around the socializing area of the Christmas Village, and took note of all those wandering through the trees searching for the perfect tree to be the centerpiece of their holiday season.
“Looks like you got a hit on your hands,” Riley said.
“It does, doesn’t it?” Travis asked. “It’s all Libby’s doing. Scotty said he wanted to try to pull it off, but, Libby’s the one who planned it all. I mean right down to