Santa Comes to Snowside by Kathy Coatney

Author:Kathy Coatney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Windtree Press

Chapter 16

Eight days to Christmas

Jack arrived at Annie’s promptly at six. He’d done his best to come up with unique entertainment for them tonight, and he hoped Annie liked it. The restaurant was nice—five-star dining in fact, and he was certain she’d like it.

He rang the bell, and Tony swung the door open. His gaze scanned Jack from head to toe. “You clean up well.” The kid had obviously been spending too much time with Mickey. “Come on in.”

Jack followed Tony inside.

“So, where are you guys going tonight?” Tony asked.

The teasing light in Tony’s eyes told him Mickey had put him up to the cross-examination.

Jack played along. “What did Mickey pay you to interrogate me?”

Tony grinned. “He offered me ten dollars if I put you on the hot seat, plus he promised to show me how he made that dessert he served the other night.”

“Holy smokes. Mickey never offers to give away his recipes. I would’ve agreed to that, too. I don’t know anybody he’s made that offer to.”

“Yeah, I really couldn’t say no.”

“I can see why you did it,” Jack said.

“Are you through grilling my date?”

Tony’s Adam’s apple moved as he looked over at his aunt. “Um—yes.”

Jack turned and saw Annie staring down at them. His mouth went dry. She wasn’t dressed much differently than normal, but what she wore now left him dumbstruck and he could only stare at her beauty.

Tony nudged him. “I don’t know much about dating, but even I know you’re not supposed to stare with your mouth hanging open when a girl enters the room.”

Jack swallowed and finally found his voice. “You look amazing.”

Annie’s cheeks burned crimson and made her look even more beautiful if that was at all possible. “Thank you. Are you ready to go?”

“Definitely. Are you?”

Annie nodded and turned to her nephew. “I’m sure you’ll be asleep when we get back so I’ll see you in the morning.” She kissed his cheek, then straightened and took Jack’s arm.

She reached for her jacket, but Jack stopped her. “Bring your heavy coat.”

When Annie asked why, he shrugged. She went with the flow and didn’t protest. Neither did she apologize for Tony’s interrogation and seemed content to leave the two of them to work it out on their own.

Jack helped her into his four-door, two-tone nineties’ truck, and headed for the interstate.

“How were things at work today?” Annie asked.

“Pretty much a standard day. Several people came in looking for clothes and help with their résumés. Nothing really standout. How about you. How was your day?”

Annie shrugged. “Average, like yours.”

“By the way, I talked to Mickey and got the low down on what went on between him and Sarah.”

“Funny, I did the same thing when I saw Sarah earlier. I think that this is something the two of them need to work out.”

“Really?”

She laughed. “Did you think I’d insist that we get in the middle of their conflict?”

Honestly, it’s exactly what he’d expected. “I suppose I did.”

“How very sexist of you, Jack Davidson,” she teased.

The light turned red.

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