Page 7 of Mistletoe Kisses
4
Mylo
The second cup of coffee I pour helps out as much as the first. Delilah has a stash of different flavored liquid creamer to pick from, but I opt for a single packet of sweetener to get me through the next cup.
“Didn’t sleep too well?” Henry’s flipping through a newspaper, skimming over the comic section. “Was a windy night. Weather is getting worse and worse the closer we get to Christmas.”
The wind might’ve been blowing against the house, but it wasn’t what was whispering in my ear. A sweet husky voice was too busy haunting me.
“Something like that,” I mumble before taking my first sip. The burn is a nice distraction as I’m reminded of troubling thoughts.
“Supposed to get a foot by tonight. Might get a few groceries in case we’re snowed in.” He’s mostly mumbling tohimself, flipping through pages. “It’ll be a good idea to slip out before Delilah starts getting ideas of making fruitcakes for the relatives.” His mouth twitches, hardly hiding his amusement for his wife’s love of baking even the worst kind of treats.
There’s a stir in my chest from seeing his happiness. At one point, I felt the very same. Shame mine only lasted as long as the honeymoon phase. All but a couple of months.
“Want to come with me? I’ll take the company. I’d ask Cas to spend some quality time together, but I’m sure the time difference is kicking her butt. She called it a bit early last night.” He scratches his cheek and closes his paper. “It’ll take her a minute to adjust.”
After what Cassidy’s told me, I’m sure she’ll have plenty of time to do just that.
“Not like I have anything better to do.” Shrugging a shoulder, I watch Henry leave the table and make his way over the fridge. Held up with a few seashell magnets, he plucks off a list.
A long list.
Of course, he doesn’t warn me of what is needed until after I agree.
“Just a few ingredients,” he promises with a knowing smirk. Bastard. “If Del wants to bake all week to keep her hands busy, we have to make sure we have everything she needs.”
Already signing my afternoon away with the guy, I finish my coffee and hope to get a hit of caffeine before my exhaustion takes over. Joining him, I take his list and look to see what we’re going to have to hunt down as we make our way out.
The roads aren’t awful, barely covered with a thin layer of snow. Fairland has a small grocery store tucked away, filled with hardly more than just necessities. Henry insists on taking a trip out of town. I don’t complain, not like it’ll matter.
As long as he doesn’t take this trip and turn it into some kind of therapy session, I’ll go wherever he wants. Thankfully, hedoesn’t bother asking me how I’m doing. He’s done enough of that to see my answers aren’t changing much.
Did Delilah tell him how I reacted to Cassidy’s question about Natalie? I think I reacted better than I had a couple of months ago.
“Can I smoke?” Trapped in the truck with him, just thinking about the divorce makes my throat itch.
Henry shoots a glance my way, his mouth curving. “Not a chance.”
Sniffing, I dig a piece of gum out of his glove compartment. Not even mint flavored, I have to use his wife’s favorite fruity flavor to get me through the drive.
By the time we reach the next town over, we spendtwohours going through aisles plucking things off of shelves. I’m ready to pull out my hair by the time we hit the checkout line. The poor cashier gives our cart a dreaded look.
Two hours is plenty of time for snow to build up. The drive back is going to be even slower.
“What did you get me into?” I mutter under my breath as we pack all the bags into the truck.A few groceries, he says.“Never again.”
“You looked like you needed the distraction,” Henry starts before clasping a hand on my shoulder. “If Del would’ve come, it would’ve taken us three. She loves looking at everything.”
Remembering to never join the two, the best I can do is shake my head. I’m sure I’ll spend the entire trip back complaining.
* * *
“Knew it was a good idea to go out before this mess started.” Proud of himself as we glide along the slippery surface, we somehow make it back to the house in one piece.
Henry is the type to try and carry in everything in one big load to impress his wife with his strength. Doesn’t hurt that the air is nipping at our skin, urging me to get inside as soon as possible. Can’t rush and risk ruining any of these ingredients. Delilah will have my head if I slip on my ass, checking on her eggs before she thinks about asking how I am.
The thought makes me crack a smile.