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I nodded, covering her hand with mine and turning my head to place a soft kiss on her palm. “That I can do, my little elf.”
* * *
An hour later, I found myself sitting down to eat with Everly’s entire family. Her brother, Drew, was in town with his wife and kids. Noah was there, and so was her little sister, Madeline. They all teased Everly mercilessly, and she ribbed them back just as much. She glowed with love for them, and my heart clenched as I thought about what it would feel like to be on the other end of that love.
“Evie tells us you are leaving soon, Son.”
“Yes, Sir,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “Tom and I need to get on the road tomorrow. We’re meeting the band in a couple of days in Detroit for our next concert, and then we have three more stops after that on this tour.”
“What are your plans for when the tour is over?” Everly’s mom asked, as she set a piece of apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream down in front of me.
“Mom!”
Everly was the nervous one now. She sat next to me, her eyes wide and face bright red. The fingers of her left hand tapped out a rhythm on the table, her leg moving slightly as if she wanted to get up and run.
“It’s okay,” I said, reaching over and covering her hand with mine. Ignoring the way her mother’s eyes shot up. I squeezed Everly’s fingers gently and then moved our clasped hands down to rest on my leg. “To answer your question, Ma’am, we will just have to see. I don’t have any more shows scheduled right now that I know of, but my manager handles that.”
Her mother nodded and took a seat beside Drew, seeming satisfied with my response. Everly’s little sister was not.
“Are you coming back here to see our Evie?” Madeline demanded, cocking an eyebrow haughtily and pointing her fork at me. “Because, she really likes you, you know.”
“Oh, God,” Everly moaned, trying to pull her hand from mine. I refused to let go.
“Good, because I really like her, too.”
Madeline grinned, a wide smile brightening up her face, her eyes bright with happiness. “Good!”
“Mama,” Charlie cut in, “when can we open presents?”
Everly’s father chuckled, shaking his head. “Boy, I’ve been asking that question all day, and your grandmother just keeps making me wait.”
There was laughter all around, and then the conversation turned from me and Everly to Christmas mornings at the Chase house. It didn’t take long for us to finish dessert, and then everyone helped clean up before heading into the large living room. I took a seat on a dark blue loveseat close to the fireplace, and soon Everly was snuggled under my arm, laughing as the children began to hand out gifts.
Everly’s eyes widened in surprise when they sat my present down in front of her. Her eyes narrowed, and she asked, “When did you find time to get me something, Alex? You are almost always with me.”
“Almost.” I placed a kiss on the tip of her nose, and she laughed softly, shaking her head.
“Sneaky man.”
Charlie handed me a present, and then Chloe brought me another one. Two more were added to those, and I swallowed hard as I realized Everly’s parents, both brothers, and sister had all gotten me something. I was glad I’d taken the time when Everly was at work a couple of days ago to get them all something, too. It had been a long time since I celebrated Christmas, and I was suddenly really happy that I was with the Chases this year.
“Oh, thank you, Alex! I love it!”
I glanced over to see that Madeline had opened her present. It was a gift card to a high-end spa in a nearby city. I grinned. “Everly has told me numerous times how you are constantly going out of your way to take care of others. I figured it’s time you get pampered a little.”
Madeline’s eyes misted with tears, and she clutched the gift card tightly. “Thank you.”
“I got one too!” Everly exclaimed, after opening the card on top of her box.
“Of course,” I said, giving her a quick kiss. “I couldn’t send your sister alone, could I?”
“Me too!” Gretchen exclaimed, her hand going to her mouth as she turned it over and read the amount on the back of the card.
“You have two busy children. You definitely deserve spa time with your sisters-in-law.”
“You’re showing us up, Scott,” Drew growled playfully as he hugged his wife close and kissed her temple.
I didn’t know what to say, but Noah saved me when he opened the gift I gave him. “Holy shit, man! I’ve wanted a set of these tools for a long time. Just didn’t want to dish out the money.”
