Once inside, Micah was “grilled” again about his meeting with Graham.
Wendy sighed and pressed her hand to her heart. “This is so romantic. I can’t believe that your true love turned out to be Sal’s own son. That is truly a miracle. God must lovetwistendings to hisstories.”
“This one certainly caught me by surprise.” Micah smiled. “I had no idea where he was going with it.”
Wendy winked. “Pays to have faith. God does his best work behind the scenes.”
“You know why, don’t you?” Nick quipped.
They all looked at him.
“Because we’re like little meddling kids,” he said. “If he worked out in the open, we’d constantly be trying tohelp,or insisting he was doing it wrong. He’d never get anything done. I know what I’m talking about.” He nodded discreetly at his young son who was currently oblivious to the grownups as he played with his toys on the living room floor. “No offense to my little tike, but sometimes those littlehelping handsare more hindrance than help.”
The others laughed and nodded in understanding.
“Sotrue,” Wendy chuckled.
When a brief lull struck the conversation, Micah took the opportunity to confirm with Nick and Wendy that it was all right for Graham to spend Christmas with them. Of course, he knew without a doubt it would be—or he would’ve never invited Graham without asking his friends first.
“This just gets better and better,” Wendy exclaimed. “I can’t wait to meet him. I bet he’s drop-dead gorgeous, isn’t he?”
Micah smiled. “I think so. But I could be partial.”
“No, no,” Mark chimed in. “He isdefinitelydrop-dead gorgeous.” He blew on his fingers and shook his hand, inciting laughter.
“I can’t argue with that,” Micah admitted.
“That handsome, huh?” Nick squinted teasingly. “Already thinking naughty thoughts about him, aren’t you?” He winked. “Better be careful not to end up on Santa’s naughty list.”
It would be worth it,Micah thought.
“Why would Uncle Micah be on Santa’s naughty list?” Eli was suddenly right there in the midst of them.
“Ohh…” Nick grinned sheepishly and scooped up his son. “He isn’t. Forget you heard that.”
“But you said it,” Eli told him.
Micah grinned and ducked his head, his face warming.
“I swear, those little ones have selective hearing,” Wendy sighed. “I can call him and call him, and he won’t hear me. But the minute something inappropriate is spoken—he absorbs every word.”
“I think there’s something in their brain that alerts them when they’renotsupposed to hear something.” Mark grinned. “You know kids—if it’s something they’re not supposed to see, hear, taste, or touch—they want to do it.”
“You know kids.” Wendy nodded.
“I used to be one,” Mark chuckled. “A very exasperating one if you ask my mom.”
Micah smiled. “I can see that.”
“Hey,” Mark scowled.
Eli squirmed excitedly in his father’s arms. “We get to open one present tomorrow.”
“That’s right,” Nick said. “But only if you’re good—and notnaughty.”He wrinkled his nose at Micah.
“Well, that counts Micah out,” Mark murmured through the corner of his mouth. “He has a date with his handsome hunk tomorrow night.”
“Oh, yeah?” Wendy raised an eyebrow and smiled. “That’s great.”
“Maybe we should open the presentsbeforehe goes on his date,” Nick suggested, a dark gleam in his eye. “So Micah won’t be bound by the naughty clause.”
Micah exhaled and laughed softly. “I like that idea. Thank you.”
“You know me.” Nick grinned and winked. “I’m always looking out for you, my friend.”
