Page 243 of Santa Daddies

“You’re a pain in the ass,” Anson muttered.

“And he’s gonna be a pain in your ass, Alice, if you don’t answer him.” Joey winked at Alice.

For fuck’s sake.

Why had he asked Joey to drive her vehicle up? He should have asked Miles. Miles was more like him. Quiet and he minded his own damned business.

“It really isn’t important,” she told them both.

Anson just gave her a stern look.

She sighed. “A Christmas tree. He told me that there would be a Christmas tree and some decorations. But that doesn’t matter. Hardly life or death, right? I’ve brought a few with me, anyway.”

Alice stepped further into the room and Joey shot him a look that clearly told him to fix this. To make her smile again.

Anson got it. There was nothing more he would like to do than fix this. But he wasn’t entirely sure how.

You could get her a Christmas tree.

“You said there’s no firewood?” Anson asked. “And why isn’t the heat on?”

“No, not that I can find. I did find a thermostat and I’ve turned the heat on. There’s a locked shed out the back. That might be where the firewood is.”

Anson grunted. “Go back to my place in my truck and get some wood, will you?”

“Sure thing,” Joey said, catching the keys that Anson threw at him. “Ooh, can’t believe I get to finally drive your truck. Like a big boy.”

Lord. Anson glared at him and he grinned back unrepentantly.

“You’ve driven my truck before.”

“Only on special occasions. Like my birthday. Or when I sneak the keys and take it for a joy ride.”

“You better not fucking do that.”

With Joey it was hard to tell when he was joking and when he was telling the truth.

“That’s okay,” Alice said hastily as she gave them both worried looks. “I can contact Mr. Caldwell and ask him about the firewood. I’m sure the heat will kick in soon.”

Anson turned that look on Alice. “No. I’ll call Caldwell. But in the meantime, you need this place warm. You can’t stay in an icebox.”

He noticed that Joey had already left. Probably wise, but he was also grateful to his brother for all his help.

Fuck.

He’d probably never told him that before. How thankful he was. He should do that.

“Why don’t you go and unpack your stuff,” he told Alice gruffly. “Joey would have put your luggage in the main bedroom.”

“All right.” She looked a bit unsure as she stared around but she moved further into the cabin, disappearing down the hall.

Fucking hell. There should be firewood stacked up inside the house and she’d messaged Caldwell before coming up here to let him know. He’d had time to light the fire and turn on the heat.

Lazy fucker.

He walked into the cabin and over to the kitchen. He should make sure all the appliances were on. Caldwell might turn them off at the wall. Then something else occurred to him and he messaged Joey.

Anson: