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HUNTER
Talking to Ashton, my attention is on Quinn, the most relaxed I’ve seen her all day.
The tree search had been a struggle, and poor Quinn looked so dejected. Maybe her partaking in the set-up of my little plan wasn’t for the best. Especially after I realized just what a struggle it might be. That’s when I called Ashton and Claire. The plan is for Ashton to help me put together my little Christmas wonderland while Claire keeps Quinn occupied.
So far, it seems to be working. Though as lunch ends and we’re about to part ways, Quinn looks at me suspiciously.
“You’re up to something,” she says, pointing her finger in my direction.
“Who me?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“Thank you, Hunter.” Her smile is enough to make all the effort worthwhile, but the kiss she pulls me in for? That makes me want to go to the ends of the earth for this woman.
“I would do anything for you, Quinn. You know that.” Another peck of a kiss because I just can’t get enough. “Go, have fun shopping.”
She nods happily. “I will. Remember, no gifts.”
I roll my eyes at her ridiculous request. Just because she never got gifts before doesn’t mean she shouldn’t now. Listening to her talk, though, she was very adamant. So, this year, I’ll agree to her request. Beyond that, I make no promises.
Ashton and I watch the girls walk away, a little longer than we should.
“So, what’s the plan?” Ashton asks when we can’t enjoy the visual anymore.
“To give Quinn the Christmas of her dreams.”
“What exactly does that entail?
“A tree. Decorations. A sleigh. Santa.”
“Santa? That’s a pretty tall order. On really short notice.”
“I know, but… I would do anything for her. I just want to give her the Christmas she envisioned or as close as I can get. She needs this. She deserves it.”
“I get it, but how?”
I pat him on the back. “That’s where you come in.”
“Of course, it is,” Ashton says with a laugh.
Connections and good friends help my afternoon with Ashton go a lot smoother than my morning with Quinn.
Candy canes, a snow globe, lights, the sleigh—it all quickly comes together. Before long, Ashton and I are elbow-deep in fake snow, putting the whole thing together to surprise Quinn tomorrow.
“All we have left is the sleigh,” I tell Ashton.
We both look over the edge of the building at the massive item sitting on the sidewalk.
“And just how do you plan on getting that up here?” Without giving me time to respond, Ashton says, “And don’t you even say that’s where I come in. No way in hell are we getting that up here.”
The sound of a helicopter overhead grabs our attention. Looking up, I wave.
“What’s that?” Ashton asks.
“Thatis how we’re getting that sleigh up here.
“Claire says she doesn’t know how much longer she can keep Quinn entertained,” Ashton says as I nudge the sleigh into place.
“Fuck.”
