AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hey, I asked my parents, Aunt Marion, and the blue-haired salon ladies. They all said this guy is the best.”
“Well, if they agreed, who am I to argue?” Ignoring his sarcasm, I move in front of him and nip his earlobe.
“If Uncle Vinnie can get us a discount, we can work hard at making another mini-me.”
He turns his head, liftsMikey onto a hip, and kisses me. “Because nothing says Christmas like hot sex with adanger magnet.”
“Oh, do not start that shit… to my Lou, my darlin’.” As I sing the last words and tickle my little boy, he laughs.
“Nice catch.” Suds grins. “A little out of tune, though.”
“Was not.” I poke at his chest and whisper in his ear. “I am not the one who got shot, mister.”
“I was workin’ as a bodyguard, sugar. It’s different. I’m prepared for trouble. You jes’ walk down the street anddanger comes flyin’ at your head for no reason at all.”
“Not so.” My lower lip sticks out and as I cross my arms, my annoying man chuckles.
“Wahl, we can agree to disagree. But first, let me ask, do you have your weapon on you?” He stares at my coat where a bulge would be, had I decided to wear my holster.
“God no, we’re buying ashrub, for heaven’s sake. Do you?”
He unzips the down vest and shows me where he’s wearing the pistol on the opposite side of where it’s normally placed. “Honey, where my family is concerned, I take no chances.”
“Right, because nothing says Christmas like a shootout at the OK Corral andTree Emporium.”
Chapter 2
Suds
A second child? As much as I’d like to have another rugrat underfoot, I’m not sure we’re ready. Hell, we can barely afford the family we’ve got. If that ain’t bad enough, we’re living in her uncle’s apartmentbuilding again, and purchasing a stolen Christmas tree. Fell off a truck, my ass.
We strollby Marion’s hair salon, and wave at her through the window, decorated by local kids. My wife’s aunt, a lovely olive-skinned woman in her fifties, steps outside and gives my son a hug.
When she pulls away, Mikey beams and stretches his arms wide. “Daddy’s buyin’ a kwismas tree, thiiiiis big.”
“Well, go on then.” Laughing, she turns to my wife who’s already rushing down the sidewalk after my non-stop kid.
“Wait. Are you still coming in on Monday?” At Marion’s shout, my danger magnettrots backwards.
“I’ll be there with bells on. I may need some assistance. I’m chairing St. Thomas’ fundraiser.”
“What happened to Suzi Baker? She’s done it for years.” As the older woman’s mouth drops open, I lift Mikey into my arms, and my gal shrugs.
“She moved, so Sister Mary Carol asked me to help. What’s the problem?”
“Did she hand over her spreadsheets?” Paling, her voice goes up a notch and when Sam indicates no, she pulls rosary beads out of her apron.
Kissing them, she makes a sign of the cross. “We need her paperwork, immediately, if not sooner.”
“Ah… Okay. I’ll call her.” Eyes wide, my wife bites her lower lip and mutters under her breath. “Shit.”
“What was that all about?”Ignoring my laser-like stare, she tugs down on her hat and tries to scamper away.
In two strides, I catch up.” Samantha, talk to me.”
Standing in front of the hardware store, she jabs the walk button, and lifts her gaze. “I have no clue. Sister stopped me in the hall and asked me to volunteer to chair Mikey’s school raffle event and I agreed. I thought I’d work at the hair salon and ask some of the wealthier clients for donations.”
“So,when is this shindig?” When you’ve been married long enough, you know when a whole lot of poop is about to hit the fan.
