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Sixty-Three

CHRISTMAS EVE

DINNER WRAPPED UP , and Riley forced each person to open one present because she couldn’t stand the anticipation. Grey smiled. He found it absolutely adorable.

“Let’s go in the front room,” Riley whispered in his ear, her breath sweet and warm.

Greyson couldn’t get there and out of sight fast enough. They were trying to be considerate of her brothers, but it was only getting harder as the day wore on.

They hadn’t even reached the couch when she slipped a finger through his button-down shirt and tugged him to her. She didn’t even speak, just pulled his lips to hers.

“Oh, come on,” Deck said.

“You were in the kitchen,” Ri said.

“I’m not now.”

“Okay, we’ll go to my place.” She looked up at Greyson. “That work okay?”

Better than okay , he mouthed.

“Thank you,” Deck said.

“At some point you’re going to have to get used to this,” she said, the words trailing behind her to the door.

“Agreed, but today is not that day.”

Riley just shook her head as Greyson helped her into her coat. At only thirty degrees and with snowfall on the horizon, he wanted her bundled up.

He slid on his coat and then stepped from the warm house into the frigid air.

“It’s snowing,” she said of the first flakes fluttering down, but it didn’t take long to intensify.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said, stretching out her arms and twirling around.

“ You’re so beautiful.”

She smiled as he approached, tugging her winter stocking cap down. He tried nudging her toward her house, but she was having too much fun in the freshly falling snow.

“I hope enough falls to make snow angels and a snowman.”

“I hope it falls enough to strand me here.”

“I thought you were already staying in Deck’s guest room for Christmas morning?”

“I am, but I wouldn’t mind staying longer. I got used to waking up with you on the road. Seeing you looking even more stunning than the sunrise.”

She stepped toward him, leaving boot prints in the thin layer of accumulated snow.

“Well,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck, “maybe one day we can wake up beside each other.”

He wanted nothing more. “That sounds perfect.”

“It does?”

He nodded and took her hand in his. “Your hand is so cold. You should have worn gloves.”

“You can warm me,” she said, stepping up on her tiptoes and kissing him with boldness, love, and fervor.

Deckard grunted. “I thought you’d be at your place by now.”

They turned to find the whole gang standing there.

“What are you guys doing out here?” Riley asked.

“Just waiting,” Andi said.

“For what?” she asked, confused.

Greyson slipped a strand of errant hair behind her ear. “Your present is waiting at your house. I think they want to see it after you do.”

“It is? When did you...?” She narrowed her eyes. “Is that why Andi had me out shopping all day and then practically shoved me into your house?” she said, pointing at Deck.

“Hey,” he said, holding up his hands. “I had nothing to do with this.”

“Other than totally helping.” Greyson smirked.

Deck shrugged.

“Can we go?” she asked, a twinkle in her eye.

“Absolutely.”

“After you two,” Deck said, gesturing her and Greyson forward with the sweep of his hand.

Christian and Andi followed, Harper trailing along, her arms wrapped tight about her waist.

Riley wrapped her hand around the doorknob and paused, looking over her shoulder. “Is it necessary we all come?”

Greyson shrugged. “They helped.”

“All right, already,” Deck said. “I’m freezing out here. Let’s hurry this up.”

“You should have worn a co—” she started as she opened the door, but trailed off as she paused in the entryway.

A fireplace sat where her TV stand used to—the TV now mounted above it.

“I took the liberty of getting us each one.” Greyson rubbed circles on her back. “I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s better than okay. I can’t believe you guys installed a kiva fireplace for me.” She stepped toward it.

“Do you like it?” Greyson asked, moving with her.

“I love it.” Tears tumbled from her eyes. “And I love you,” she said, pressing a kiss to his lips.

“On that note, I’m outta here,” Deck said.

“I’m with you,” Christian said.

Andi chuckled. “Come on, Harper. Let’s leave these two alone.”

The door shut, and Greyson opened his eyes to find them blissfully alone. “There’s another gift.”

“For Christmas Eve?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am. But there will still be plenty tomorrow morning.” He handed her the large red-and-white snowflake-patterned gift bag.

She pulled the tissue paper out of the bag, and a combination of a smile and tears covered her face. “Christmas movies.”

“All the good ones,” he said. “I thought we could have a Christmas movie marathon tonight and hang those stockings”—he indicated two lying on the coffee table, one with his name and one with hers—“on the mantel shelf. You don’t have to put mine up, I just thought...”

She stopped him, tears still misting in her eyes. “It’s perfect.”

Greyson smiled and wrapped his arms snug around her .

Thank you , Lord , for this treasure. May I always cherish her as she deserves.

An hour later, they were back up at Deck’s house, the whole gang watching Noelle and sipping hot cocoa.

A knock sounded at the door.

“I wonder who it is this time,” Deck said.

“I’ll get it.” Riley popped up, but Deck had already beat her to it.

Deck opened the door and reared back. “Dad?”

“No time for chitchat. Your sister is in grave danger.”