AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I refocused on the tree that had colored lights, popcorn garland, chains of green and red construction paper, and various decorations of stars, snowmen, and Santas hung by loops of yarn. “It’s beautiful.”
Knox grinned. “I think so, too.” Then he ruffled Addy’s hair. “You did good.”
Addy beamed at him. “Should we do the second tree?”
My stomach rumbled.
Knox grinned at me. “I think we should order pizza, then we can work on it while we wait for it to be delivered.”
“Yay! Pizza!”
I didn’t order out often, and when I did, it was a treat.
“Do you care where we order from? There’s only one place that delivers here, and they only do it because we give them a discount on their trees.” Then he smirked. “The discount is a free tree.”
“That’s fine. I just don’t want to go out again tonight.” I was having too much fun to leave. The house was warm and cozy. A fire crackled in the stone fireplace, and the lights made it more inviting. The weird thing was, I felt like we were home. Like this was our place. Even though I hadn’t been here before and had nothing to do with its construction or design. It felt good to be here with Knox.
Knox ordered the pizza while Addy rifled through the rest of the decorations to decide on a theme. “Let’s put all the stars on this tree. Do you have white lights?” Addy asked Knox when he returned.
“Sure do. There’s never a shortage of lights around here. It’s the easiest way to brighten up a room or porch, and it fits with the theme of Christmas we want around here.”
“I love how your outdoor lights are year-round,” I said to him.
Knox chuckled. “Don’t fool yourself. That’s pure laziness. We don’t have to take them down in January and put them back up in November. We leave them up year-round.”
“I love it.” I shared a grin with him. It showed that he wasn’t perfect. That he had the same flaws as the rest of us.
We hung the white lights and then took turns placing the main stars on various branches of the tree. “Addy loved making these. It kind of got out of hand.”
“I love that I have a themed tree. White lights and gold stars. It’s perfect for my office. When I’m working or coming home, it will be the first thing I see.”
“Me, too,” Addy said as she hung yet another star on the lower branches.
She sat back on her heels. “I have to go potty.”
“It’s down the hall on the right,” Knox said as she took off in that direction.
“Thank you for placating her tonight. I know it’s a lot to put up homemade decorations. Especially when a child made them.”
Knox approached me, pulled me against him, and kissed my temple. “What are you talking about? I love that she made these for me.”
Encouraged, I went on. “She came home after school so excited to do something for you.”
“No one’s ever made me anything. Talon said he wouldn’t waste his work on me. Like I wouldn’t appreciate them or something.”
“Sounds like typical brother ribbing.”
“Yeah, maybe, but don’t doubt me. I love the trees, and I’m touched you went to so much trouble.” I trembled in his arms because it was the exact opposite reaction that Gary had.
“You’re welcome.”
His thumb settled on my lower lip. “I love having you here in my space.”
“Me, too.” He lowered his mouth to mine in a short and sweet kiss, both of us knowing we only had a few seconds before Addy returned.
Then he dropped his forehead to mine.
When footsteps sounded in the hall, we reluctantly pulled away.
