Slade tucks him inside his coat and carries him into the garage. “I was thinking about picking out a Christmas tree.”
Ollie’s eyes grow wide. “A real Christmas tree?”
Slade nods.
“You were gonna pick out a tree? In the snow?” I ask the man who just marched over here to tell me I wasn’t going anywhere.
“It’s the best time,” he says matter-of-factly. “It doesn’t feel like Christmas without snow.”
Those green, green eyes stare back at me. “What do you say?” He nods his head toward his house. “Want to load up the kids and see if we can find the perfect tree?”
“Yeah!” Ollie throws his hands in the air. “Please, Mama. I want to g-go with Swade.”
We have no Christmas decorations except for the little tabletop tree that Ollie picked out at the grocery store. Helping Slade find a tree will give him a slice of the Christmas experience.
I take in Ollie’s bright eyes and full smile as he waits for my answer. “Is hot chocolate also involved?”
“And marshmallows?” Ollie twists like he’s ready to jump out of Slade’s arms to get going.
I glance at the big guy holding him.
“There’s a sleigh ride, too.”
Ollie grabs Slade’s shoulders. “Can we g-go now?”
Slade waits for my answer.
“I have to get Frankie up,” I say.
“Yes! Let’s go.” Ollie tugs on Slade’s collar.
“All right, partner.” Slade walks him back to the door and sets him down. “Find your clothes and switch your boots around while I shovel the driveway.”
“Can I help shovel?” Ollie kicks his boots off.
Slade glances at me as Ollie scurries to get ready.
“Sure,” I say. “Get dressed and go to the bathroom. I’ll find your mittens. Make sure you aim for the toilet!” I holler after him, pulling the door closed.
Slade moves around me, grabbing the shovel. “You, too. You need a coat and a hat.”
I reach to snatch the shovel back. “I can do that.”
He ignores me, scooping the snow where I left off. “Unhook the car seats, and I’ll pull my truck over.” He looks at me over his shoulder. “Do you have boots?”
“Yes.” I eye Mr. Fix-it.
He makes a path down the middle of the driveway. “Real snow boots, Sarah?”
I open the back passenger door. “As opposed to fake boots, Slade?”
“If you don’t have any, I’ll grab Krissy’s out of the basement.”
“Do you want to dress me, too?” I set Frankie’s car seat on the garage floor.
The rhythmic scraping against the driveway halts, and that big body turns in my direction. Those deep green eyes find mine, one dark eyebrow raised. My entire body lights on fire with the intensity I see there.
I roll my lips, realizing what I just said. “You know, I think I can handle it.”
