Page 33 of Santa of the Creek

“I promised to go back tomorrow with books and candy.”

“I’ll come with you,” I suggest.

“You’re supposed to be resting your ankle.” Dean gives me a stern look.

“I want to be here for you.”

“Thank you. But you’re still going to rest your ankle.”

I love the little growl in his voice when he tries to give me an order.

But when I hold him close, he leans into me like he needs my embrace so badly. We’re going to freeze out here, I’m sure of it, but at least we have each other’s body warmth. I finally look up at the tree watching the spiral of twinkling lights. “The tree is beautiful.”

Just like the man next to me.

Dean rests his head on my shoulder. “It is. I know it’s weird to come here year after year, but this is therapy for me. It’s a chance to remember the good times Marty and I had together, not just the accident.”

I pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “That’s good for you.”

“Even Danny leaves me alone here.”

Have I invaded his private space? Yeah, he’d called me, but maybe he still wants to be alone. “Do you want me to go? I can call the sheriff for another ride.”

Dean chuckles. “I wouldn’t put you or him through that again.”

“I fell into his arms and nearly threw us both down the stoop. It’s a good thing his reflexes are good.”

“I hope Ben doesn’t hear about that or you’re toast.”

I smack my forehead. “He’ll throw me out on the streets if he thinks I’m after his man.”

“Don’t worry, Echo. I’ll protect you from the big, bad Deputy.”

I give him the side-eye. “Now you’re just making fun of me.”

“A little,” he agrees.

I huff and he laughs. Then he entangles his fingers in mine. It’s not easy as we’re wearing gloves, but it’s too cold to take them off.

“Can I tell you about Marty?” he asks.

I had just been about to ask him the same question. I want to know about the boy who captured his heart.

“I’d love to know about him,” I say.

He shivers a little and I hold him closer. “I hit him in the face with a ball in 4thgrade.”

“Youhithim?”

“He hit me back,” Dean protests. “Then we were suspended for fighting.”

There’s clearly more to this teenage love than I thought. “Go on.”

When Dean finishes, we sit in silence for a few minutes. Then I turn, gently lift his chin, and kiss him.

“Thank you.”

“I’ve never told anyone about him. Not even my brother, and believe me, he asks about Marty a lot.”