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"We're agreed, right?" I asked.
"Yes. We'll escort Gracie to her interview and be waiting to take her out to lunch when she's finished. We aren't going to mention our concerns."
"Now, that we've taken care of all that, I think we should enjoy our privacy a little while longer." One brain freeze kiss, and any arguments I had we're long forgotten.
I'm not sure how long we sat making out in the car before Chance pulled back and said, "You probably should answer your phone. This is like the fifth time they've called."
I didn't even realize my phone was ringing. I saw that I'd missed three calls from Gracie and four from Mama. "Double fudge," I said. "How did it get so late?"
"I'm pretty sure you know how," Chance said, putting his hand on my knee. "We lost track of time. I'm sure they'll forgive us."
"I can't believe we did this on Christmas Eve."
"We should do this every day." He kissed me again.
"I can't argue with that," I said, as I backed out of the parking space and headed for home.
XXX
On Christmas Eve, Mama hosts an open house, I promised to help, but now I'd be lucky if we got home before the guests arrived. "You OK, Babe?"
"You're a bad influence on me."
"But a great kisser."
"I guess I can't argue with that. I swear you can make be forget that there's anyone in the world besides the two of us."
"I think that's a good thing."
"Me too. But now I have to deal with Mama and Gracie Layne."
"Sorry, Mama," I said, as we rushed through the kitchen.
"It was my fault, Mrs. Mason. I distracted her," Chance said.
"And from the look of her, you did a fine job of it," Mama said. "You two go get changed. Gracie Layne and I have everything under control down here."
The doorbell rang just as we got to the top of the stairs. We ducked into our room intending to make quick work of changing for the celebration. Unfortunately, I was stopped in my tracks when Chance pulled his t-shirt off over his head, and I was treated to a view of his incredible chest. Between the makeout session in the car and Chance's chest, I was in no shape to make polite chitchat with distant relatives and people I barely knew. Chance reached for his clean shirt. "Chance, stop," I said.
Two steps brought him to my side. "What's wrong, Babe?"
I moved closer and put my hands on his chest. "I just need to enjoy this a little longer."
"Your wish is my command," he said, and it was.
XXX
"Where have you two been?" Gracie Layne sneered at me as we walked down the stairs hand-in-hand.
"We had a little celebration of our own," Chance said.
"Y’all need to let me in on your secret," Gracie Layne said, fanning herself as she headed to the kitchen to refill the snack trays.
It was really a pleasant night. I was happy that Mama liked Chance. I wasn't sure if he'd told her he's a cryptid hunter or just a hunter, but either way she seemed pleased that I'd found such a great guy. As always, he was a hit will all the women from Mama's neighbor's three-year-old granddaughter to Mrs. Gains, who was ancient when she taught me in fourth grade.
The crowd dwindled early as people headed home to prepare for Christmas morning. Gracie and I started the cleanup while Mom and Chance entertained the last of the guests. I'd just stuck my hands in a sink full of soapy water, when I felt strong arms wrap around my waist and hot breath tickle my ear.
"I think the party's over. At least down here. What can I do to help?"
"Is everyone gone?" I asked.
"Your mom is saying goodbye to the last of them. Do you want me to take over dish duty or bring in more from the other rooms?"
"Just carry stuff in here. Food goes on the table. Gracie Layne's handling the leftovers, trash goes in the bin, and I'll take the dishes."
"Sounds like a process. I'm on it."
A few minutes later, Mama walked in. "Thank you all for helping tonight. It was so much fun to have the three of you here. I hope we can make this a regular holiday thing."
"We might have to take turns," I said. "Maybe next year you can come to Idaho."
"Chance, Mama said you're going on a hunting trip right after Christmas," Gracie said. "Where are you going?"
"The Everglades," he said.
"What are you hunting down there?" she asked.
"Pythons."
"Why?" Gracie asked.
"Because my clients hired me to lead them on a snake hunt in the Everglades."
"Have you hunted snakes before?" she asked.
"A few times. These are pythons. There big. It's not like hunting a normal size snake."
"Are you afraid of anything?" Gracie asked.
"Your sister scares the crap out of me," he said, smiling at me. "Of course, she did push me off a cliff, so I think I'm justified."
"Go ahead," I said. "Tell your story. You've already told Mama."