Page 32 of Waiting for You (Balsam Cliffs #3)

I park my truck on the side of the path that was marked for me.

Wyatt parks next to me, he’s got the Jack Frost section, and then Cooper is at the head of the trail with Gunnar doing the “ Welcome to the North Pole ” section where kids will start their journey.

Each of us are about a quarter mile apart, making the trail around one mile in length total.

Popping in my head phones, I turn on an audiobook, one I saw Eve reading the other day. The way she was biting her bottom lip, I know there’s something in it she likes. And I’m determined to find out what it is.

From what I’ve read so far it’s about a man named Matteo in the mafia, he’s head of his family and he kidnapped the woman that he’s now in love with. Apparently kidnapping gets my girl all hot and bothered. Noted. Can’t say we’ve role played before, but I’m here for it.

Pulling out my tools, I begin with constructing a little skating rink for Frosty to skate on. I pre-cut the wood the other day so it’s just big enough for the inflatable and not for kids.

I’ve got the rink constructed, and the tarp laid. I’m placing the last staple to hold it in place when I get hit on the back.

Pulling out my headphone, I turn to see Wyatt, Coop, and Liam standing behind me.

“Jesus. What the hell do you guys want?”

“We did call you.” Wyatt shrugs.

“Did you whisper?”

“We yelled. Your music was too loud.”

Liars. “I’m not listening to music so I know you didn’t do that.”

“What were you…” Just as they’re about to ask, my truck speakers tell my secret. Shit I forgot I had it running to charge my battery for the drill.

“...hold of her, even though she’s stopped thrashing around, and her breathing begins to even out. “That’s my good girl…”

My heart is racing from running to my truck and muting the volume.

“Oh my God. Are you listening to Matteo?” Cooper asks. “Are you joining book club with me and Wyatt?”

“Definitely not. But I watched Eve as she was reading the other day. She was biting her bottom lip, which means she was turned on by something, and I want to know what it is.”

“So you’re listening to a romance novel?” Liam raises a brow.

“Whatever assholes. It’s so I can give my girl her fantasies, and a guaranteed orgasm.

At least I’ll get a blow job out of it. What are you getting tonight?

” I roll my eyes. They’re probably all going to get laid if they want to.

The snow-bunny season has started around here and they’re too happy to spend a night in one of their beds.

“No judgement, dude. It’s a good book. Have you gotten to the part where…”

“No spoilers, Coop! Jesus. Way to almost ruin a book.” I stop him.

“You’re totally reading it for you.” He laughs.

“What the fuck did you guys want?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Oh, uh, we need help with the chair. Aggie found a great chair for Santa, but it’s not waterproof. So we need to build something. Can you come check it out and see what we can do without making the space too cramped?” Liam finally gets to it.

“Depends. Are you three done making fun of me?”

“If we have to be for you to say yes.” Wyatt laughs and I glare at him.

“Fine.” I follow them down the path to where they’ve set up Santa’s workshop.

As we approach, I see what they mean. The chair that Aggie found is a red velvet tufted chair. Looks authentic, but it’s not meant to last in the weather. And in New England, you never know what you’ll get.

“Do we have a place to store it until we open the doors? Or does it have to live outside?” I ask the general group, hoping someone has an answer.

“We can store it inside their store where the walk will end. We’ll just pull it out each day and put it back at the end of the night. The problem is simply what if the ground is wet, or we get snow before we open.” Liam answers.

“Okay. I think we could build a little platform pretty easily. I can add railings for safety, and a step or two. That way the kids and their family can come up here and see Santa, then step away. Will someone be here to monitor and make sure no one is running up on them?”

“Me and Mom will be here. She’s going to be Mrs. Clause, and the chief already gave me the go ahead to be on detail that night. We don’t want a big crowd here at the end.” Wyatt has the answer this time. I feel like I missed a planning meeting.

“Okay. Well, yeah, we can do that. And if we put it over there,” I point to a spot between three trees.

“I can attach a piece of plywood over them in case it’s bad weather.

I can drill some holes in the top to lace through some Christmas lights.

Maybe those stars we have for the tree at the inn if Mom will let them go. ”

“I bet she would. I can ask her when I go over for dinner tonight.” Cooper offers.

“Okay.” I pull out my phone to text my foreman, needing to know if we have enough material at the warehouse to do this. Within seconds he responded. “Anyone want to run with me to help get the wood? Then we can start this while everyone else does lights?”

“Yeah. Let’s go!” Wyatt jumps at the chance. My warehouse is about thirty minutes away so I’m glad to have the company.

Nodding, we walk back while the other guys start back, getting the decorations up.

“You know I’m only coming with you so I can take a nap, right?” Wyatt admits getting into the truck.

“Are you fucking serious?”

“Yeah, listen to your book. I got home at five in the morning and I was here at eight. I’m exhausted.” He lays his head back on the headrest, closing his eyes.

“You suck. And we’re totally listening to my book. I hope you have dreams about me getting laid while you’re stuck in a dry spell.” I turn onto the road, headed south for my warehouse.

Before I even hit the highway, he’s snoring in my passenger’s seat. Asshole. I turn up the volume of my audiobook and lose myself in the story, paying close attention.