The Christmas Catch

friends?”
    “You mean, mature female friends?”
    “No, I mean ones her age.”
    “Keep dreaming.”
    “What? Women find me attractive.”
    “That, my friend, is one of life’s great mysteries.”
    “You’re just jealous because you can’t grow one of these,” Carlos said stroking his beard.
    “Could too. If I wanted to look like an old billy goat.”
    “Hey!”
    John’s cell rang and he held up a hand.
    “Christine,” he said cheerfully. “Well, hello. Uh huh… Uh huh… I see.”
    He stared at Carlos, who eyed him suspiciously.
    “No, I don’t think that would be a problem,” John continued into the receiver. “In fact, it will work out fine!”
    He pressed End Call and Carlos implored, palms up, “What gives?”
    John shot him an enigmatic grin. “Let’s just say it’s your lucky day.”

Chapter Eleven

    A few hours later, John opened his front door to greet the trio, with Carlos and Mason at his side. Dusk had settled outdoors and it was snowing once more. Christine entered first, radiantly beautiful in a red Christmas scarf. “Welcome! Welcome to all of you,” John said, greeting Christine with a hug. He patted Tyler on the shoulder and turned toward Christine’s slightly senior friend. The attractive redhead was slender and fit, with a russet glow about her. “You must be Ellen,” John said, extending his hand.
    “Professor John Steadman!” she exclaimed, pulling him into a bear hug. She winced, the moment they made contact, her skin seemingly bruising in the embrace. “I feel like we’re old friends.” John raised his brow at Carlos, who repressed a grin. “Let me introduce you to Carlos Dominguez,” he said, pulling back.
    Carlos took her hand, turning on his Old World charm. “Encantado,” he said, laying his accent on thick.
    Ellen preened like a peacock. “Igualmente,” she returned in nearly flawless Spanish.
    Carlos addressed Christine next. “Great to see you again. You’re looking well.”
    “Thanks, Carlos. You too. Merry Christmas,” she said with a smile.
    “Well, come on in! Come on in, everybody. In—and out of the cold.”
    The happy group strode toward the living room, Tyler with a bundle of packages in hand. “Can I put these under the tree?” he asked, Mason tagging along beside him.
    “Under the tree’s just fine,” John said.

    Before long, they were enjoying a scrumptious dinner John had cooked completely from scratch. Is there no end to his talents? Christine wondered. The ranch-style house was tastefully decorated for a bachelor pad, with upscale artwork hung on the walls. It was nicely done up for the holidays. A tall balsam fir nestled by the bay window, adorned with twinkling lights and a smattering of simple, yet elegant, ornaments. Carlos was in the midst of regaling them with business school stories.
    “And that’s when I said to Santa, ‘That wasn’t a signature line, it was an escape clause!’”
    Ellen giggled with delight. Christine swore the evening had taken a decade off of her already youthful complexion, or perhaps it was the bright red hue on her cheeks inspired by an overexposure to the sun. “Carlos, what a great story. Have you ever thought of becoming a writer?”
    “Oh, I’d say the folks at the business school find me verbose enough.”
    “It’s true,” John deadpanned. “We don’t want to encourage him.”
    John stood to clear the dishes and Christine got to her feet as well.
    “Let me help,” she said with a soft smile.
    Ellen and Carlos exchanged glances. “We’ll come too,” Ellen said, as they both made an effort to stand.
    “No, please,” John replied. “You two stay here and keep Tyler company. You all done with your food?” he asked the boy.
    “Yeah, thanks! I’ve never eaten a whole chicken before.”
    Adults chuckled all around as John and Christine slipped into the kitchen.

    Christine deposited dishes in the sink, thinking how much fun she was having. John wasn’t only good in the kitchen, he was a great host too. “It was a wonderful dinner. You’re some kind of cook.”
    “I’ve a few years to practice,” he said, carrying a platter over.
    Suddenly, they were face-to-face in the small space.
    Christine froze, trapped in his gaze. He was a marvelous man. Gracious too. “It was really nice of you to include Ellen so last-minute.”
    “She and Carlos seem to be hitting it off.”
    “Boy, do they ever.”
    “I think it’s cute.”
    “And so unexpected.”
    “You