The Christmas Catch

conversation. And when she’d nearly landed in his arms, it was all John could do not to imagine bringing his mouth to hers. Seriously, it wasn’t like she’d been graced with those lips for no reason. Clearly that reason had to do with her needing a good kissing now and again.
    John strode toward his truck and deposited the handcrafted toboggan in its bed, determined to put these cockamamie notions out his head. The heavy snow had abated to a light sprinkle. It was the perfect afternoon for the occasion. What was so wrong with a toboggan ride anyhow? It wasn’t exactly romantic, with the little boy coming along. It was more like a family outing. John swallowed hard at that last thought, feeling like he’d bitten off more than he could chew. Was it really so wrong to take them out, knowing they’d be gone in just a little while? Perhaps that was John’s best form of protection. It was likely Christine’s too. Surely she wouldn’t want to become entangled with someone living so far away. Her life was complicated enough as it was. Mason barked and John looked down to see him furiously wagging his tail, apparently ready to get on with it. At least he wasn’t conflicted.
    John’s cell rang and he tucked a hand inside his coat to pull it out.
    “Your timing’s rotten,” he told Carlos.
    “No, what’s rotten is your holding out on me. Ten years together and you didn’t breathe a word!”
    “That’s because there’s nothing to talk about.”
    “Aha! I knew it. This one’s really gotten to you, hasn’t she?”
    “Nobody gets to me, Carlos. You know that.”
    Carlos chuckled. “Not until now, amigo. Not until now. Not that I disapprove. Christine seems different somehow. Not quite so… eager.”
    “Please.”
    “You know what I mean. With the others, I could practically hear those talons springing out to catch you.”
    “You, my friend, have an overblown sense of the dramatic.”
    “I, compadre, have a total connection to the truth.”
    John opened the door of his truck and Mason sprang inside. “I’d love to chat all day,” he said. “But the truth is I’ve got someplace to be.”
    “You’re seeing her, aren’t you? Probably her and that cute kid too.”
    John stared at Mason and shook his head before replying in a singsongy voice. “Good-bye, Carlos!”

    Snow fell lightly as John lifted the toboggan from his truck. They were on a scenic hill, the splendor of the snowcapped countryside around them. Christine ran a gloved hand down the side of the toboggan, admiring the sheen of its wood.
    “She’s a beauty,” she said to John. “Almost like a work of art.”
    He gave her a smile that swept the chill from the bitter wind. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
    “Hang on…” she said with surprise. “Are you saying you made this?”
    “Some time ago. It was one of my first pieces.”
    Christine was impressed. She’d never met a man who’d made a toboggan—or much of anything else—before. “You’ve made others?”
    John positioned the toboggan on the hilltop and looked up. Mason immediately jumped on. “Toboggans, no,” he said. “I figured one was all I needed. But I’ve built other things: bookshelves, tables, and the like.”
    “Tables? Really?”
    “My dining room table in fact.” He studied her thoughtfully. “I’ll have to show it to you sometime.”
    Christine’s cheeks warmed as she dropped her eyes. “I’d like that.”
    John turned his attention on Tyler, waiting eagerly nearby.
    “Ever been on a toboggan, young man?”
    Tyler shook his head.
    “Well then, you’re in for a treat. Hop on!” he instructed, positioning Tyler right behind Mason. Tyler promptly wrapped his arms around the dog, who leaned back to lick his face.
    “Will he be all right?” Christine asked with concern.
    “Sure. You’ll be right behind him, holding on.”
    “And where will you be?”
    “I’ll be hanging on to you.” John grinned and her heart melted.
    Christine warned herself not to get carried away. It was just an outing in the country. But when John settled in behind her and snuggled her and little Tyler securely in his arms, she couldn’t help but blush in his embrace. He was so strong and capable. Though the steep slope ahead looked formidable, Christine had no qualms about her and Tyler heading down it with John.
    “Ready?” he asked, as Christine gripped Tyler.
    “What about Mason?”
    “That old daredevil?” John asked with a laugh. “He’ll be