The Heart of St. Nick by A.D. Ellis

Author:A.D. Ellis [Ellis, A.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942647973
Publisher: A.D. Ellis Publishing
Published: 2022-11-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Gannon

My grandfather had been a neat-nick for the most part. Probably because anything extra he had went to those in need, but I wasn’t complaining because it meant there was less for me to sort through.

The fact Candy and Ginger had followed his wishes and cleared out so much of the house helped a lot too, even if I was slightly bent they’d gotten to do the job instead of me.

And how crazy was that? I didn’t want the extra work and emotional upheaval, but I was slightly jealous of the women for being so close to my grandfather—closer than I’d been in several years.

Not to mention, the curiosity over their relationship was an itch I definitely wanted to scratch. Of course, as a child and preteen, I’d had no inkling my grandpa might have been involved in a polyamorous relationship. But as an adult, I’d worked a few things out in my head and realized Joseph had a life outside of being my grandfather.

I wanted to hear stories from Ginger and Candy, but I also wasn’t sure my heart was ready for it.

And what was up with that? My heart had been firmly protected behind an icy wall for years and years. Then I showed up with all my plans in this freezing-cold little Christmas town and all of a sudden the protective wall was melting and my heart decided it wanted to start feeling things?

No, thank you. I’d pass.

Snorting at myself, knowing my heart was definitely out to tear down the façade I’d worked so hard for all those years, I glanced across the kitchen at Hayden as he sorted through cabinets. Most of the non-perishables would go to the food pantry section of The Heart. Ginger and Candy had left all of that for me, knowing I’d likely need food while I was here, but I’d told Hayden we’d give the majority of it to people who needed it more than me.

The grin he’d given me had done weird things to my stomach. Like he was proud of me, like he believed in me. And suddenly, all I wanted was to get that happy little grin all the time.

I was beyond grateful for his help—the kid was generous to a fault and I got the feeling he stayed cheerful and busy, always giving to others, in an effort to take the spotlight off of his loneliness.

And damn, did I understand the loneliness when I actually allowed myself to think about it.

Hayden was a good worker—even if he whistled along with annoying holiday music he insisted on blasting from his phone as we worked—and I’d be lying if I said I wished he wasn’t there with me.

But thank god he wasn’t staying.

Because I didn’t know how much longer I could keep my hands to myself.

All I wanted to do was shut the two of us in a room with a fire or a heater, strip him naked, and spend hours exploring his body. Everything about the man had me on edge—in a good way.

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