Jim took a step towards her. “We wanted to do something special this morning. We came up with the idea of us celebrating Eastmas.” He threw his arm around Daisy’s shoulders, a look of pure love brightening his face.
“We’re going to celebrate all holidays in one day since you and I haven’t been together for them. We’re starting with a Thanksgiving brunch. Then we’ll have Christmas dinner at lunch, an Easter Egg hunt, and July 4ththis afternoon, with a New Year’s Eve celebration tonight. That way, we can be together for them all.”
Madison put her hand over her heart before pulling Jim and Daisy into a huddle hug. “I can’t believe you made up a flipping holiday for little old me.”
“Brunch will be ready in about ten minutes. Why don’t you relax, and Austin and Jax can go grab the bag of presents from the barn.” I thought Daisy might just burst with excitement.
Austin stood up and grabbed a magazine from the coffee table. “I need to take a trip to the little boys’ room.”
“Come on! Ever since he was ten, he’s disappeared into the shitter whenever he’s supposed to do something.” I just chuckled when Austin flipped me off and disappeared into the bathroom.
“I’ll help.” Madison appeared shocked at her own words.
I felt that familiar angst in my gut at the idea of being alone with her.Stop it. You can NOT be alone with her under any circumstance. You just got out of a relationship, and she’s leaving next week. Tell her to sit down and make Jim go with you.
“Cool, let’s go, Madison.”Damn, it! Why was my jaw yapping without my permission?
We walked in silence, given I couldn’t think of a word to say. What was wrong with me?
“I can’t believe everybody went to so much trouble for this. Daisy should have her full concentration on the wedding.”
Her smile was beautiful, and the best I could do was nod dumbly. Again, where the heck were my words?
“Do I get a Christmas sweater?” She stopped once inside the barn.
“I’m sure there’s one with your name on it.”Can I rip off your shirt and help you with that? Stop!I started up the stairs in the corner.
“Where are you going?”
“There’s a storage room in the loft where Daisy has the gifts. I’ll be right back.”
“It’s okay. I’ll help.”
I checked, and low and behold, she had Daisy’s sneakers on her feet, shoes that made for a safe climb. She followed me up the stairs, where I pushed open a door, and sure enough, there were three big bags filled with presents. God only knows when Daisy had time to get them. I was beginning to think this ‘holiday’ was not so last minute after all.
Madison squealed as she walked over and clapped her hands. “Look at these beautifully wrapped gifts!” She grabbed one and held it out to me. “It’s for you! What do you think it could be?”
The excitement in her eyes made me laugh. “Hard to say.”
“You don’t even want to guess?” I shook my head.
She rolled her eyes. “That’s weird.”
I let out a little huff. “Weird? You want to talk about weird? I woke up this morning naked, with a black eye, everything in my house rearranged, and a $20 tip for something on the nightstand. I can’t remember what happened last night, but the twenty made me feel cheap and dirty. I nearly killed myself walking across my house in the dark, by the way.”
She threw up her hands. “First of all, you wouldn’t keep your damn clothes on! I tried, but you were determined to be naked. And you got that black eye after your tap dancing, clarinet playing, Beyonce serenade when you fell on your coffee table.”
“What? No way.”
She started to hum the “Star Wars” theme and did a little tap dance right there in the barn. I thought she was nuts, but I had a little flashback, and she burst into laughter when she saw it cross my face.
“And what in the hell did you think I would tip you for?”
“I don’t know. Maybe for some good lovin’?”
She shook her head, and there was a glimmer in her eye. “Good lovin’? The twenty dollars—I found under your couch when I rearranged your living room. And you’re welcome for that, by the way.”
“So there was no good lovin’?” I crossed my arms over my chest. She was uncomfortable, and it spurred me on.
