Christmas Kisses by E.J. Russell

Author:E.J. Russell [Russell, E.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Reality Optional Press

The next morning, Garrett’s gut was still twisted over the fallout of yesterday’s visit with Adam. He’d thought about calling at least twenty times since he’d gotten back from relocating the rattler, torn between guilt and worry, with a huge dose of disappointment thrown in. Not that he blamed Adam for wanting a different pest-control service. Not really. It wasn’t as if Garrett had done such a great job scoping out the potential threats. Adam had looked so freaked-out about the snake—although not more freaked-out than Garrett. If I hadn’t been there….

He pushed the thought away, not willing to think about Adam alone and injured and possibly dying. I knew he wasn’t familiar with Arizona. I knew the former owners were crappy at maintenance and disclosure. I should have checked inside the garage yesterday.

But he hadn’t, and Adam could have paid the price.

Maybe I’ll call after New Year’s. Just to check in. See how he’s liking the house. Grovel like crazy and ask to see him again.

Maybe. Assuming he could work up the courage. But not today. Definitely not today.

Because today was Christmas Eve. Adam would be busy with his house and his family, getting ready for the holiday and to welcome his new niece. Garrett, on the other hand, would be getting ready for another day in the house that hadn’t been good enough for Richard to live in, and for his annual volunteer gig at the family shelter on Christmas Day. At least he wouldn’t be alone, although in a way, he wished he would be. The number of people who had no other option but the shelter on holidays always broke his heart. But better the shelter than the alternative.

He did make one call, however. He called the house-sealing company owned by one of his old high school football buddies.

“Hey, Jake. This is Garrett Strong.”

“Garrett! Long time, no hear, man.”

“Well, you know how it goes.” Garrett cleared his throat. “Listen, Jake. I know I’ve been kind of MIA for a while, but I’d like to call in a favor.”

“Hey, you coached Melissa’s soccer team last spring. Anybody would need a break after dealing with all the ten-year-olds.”

“It was a pleasure, believe me.”

“I know for a fact it was not. I’ve been the coach before, remember? Smartest thing the parents ever did—the only thing we ever agreed on, by the way—was bringing in a coach who wasn’t related to any of our daughters!”

Garrett chuckled. “I think the girls might have been glad too. Between you and me, they said that their folks all get a little—what word did they use? Oh yeah. Cray-cray.”

Jake didn’t just chuckle. He roared. “That’s for goddamn sure. Now, what’s on your mind? I’ll agree to almost anything as long as you’ll agree to coach again this year.”

“I’d do that anyway. But here’s the thing. I was out at a new client’s place the last couple of days. He just moved into a house out in Ahwatukee, and the place had been vacant for months.

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