The Christmas Catch

greet him at eye level, man to man.
    “Good to know ya, little fellow,” he said, firmly shaking Tyler’s hand. “You taking good care of your mom?”
    Tyler nodded solemnly and John chuckled.
    “Well, keep up the good work!”
    Mason held up a paw in Tyler’s direction. John glanced at Christine for her approval, got it, then looked at the boy. “Seems like Mason wants to shake hands, too.”

    Ten minutes later, they stood in the snow outside the rental SUV where John had helped load groceries in the back. While it had been fun running into them, John didn’t have the nerve to suggest seeing them again. What kind of sense would that make? Christine and Tyler were bound to have made their own vacation plans, and John had plenty to take care of too.
    “You and Tyler take care, Christine,” John said, waving good-bye.
    “Thanks, you too,” she said through her open window. Tyler raised a mitten and called good-bye to the dog as they backed out and slowly pulled away.
    John watched their taillights fade as Mason stood by with a sullen expression.
    “Don’t look so down, fellow,” John told him, stroking his head. “Santa’s coming soon.”
    The dog gave him a sideways glance like he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life. Okay, so maybe he’d noticed she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean he had to act on it.
    “And none of that nonsense about how I should have gotten her number,” John scolded, adjusting his parka. “I have a very occupied life.”
    But Mason just ignored him and loped through the snow toward their truck.

Chapter Four

    Christine whisked about the kitchen, talking on her cell while she fixed dinner. A pot of chili simmered on the stove as she mixed a cornbread batter. The snow had started up again outside, beating down harder than ever, but they were snug inside their getaway. “Hang on, Ellen,” she said into the receiver. “Just let me check on Ty a sec.” She peered through the swinging door to find him happily engaged in a game of Legos by the fire.
    “So?” Ellen asked as Christine popped the cornbread pan in the oven. “Is it as lovely as I said?”
    “Just beautiful,” Christine answered, gazing out the window. “And very, very cold.”
    “I wish I could sympathize…” Christine heard a low murmuring in the background. It was Ellen’s voice, soft and sultry. “A little more on the shoulders, honey?”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t get that.”
    “I was just saying I’m enjoying the warmth down here.” She giggled and Christine could have sworn she heard the tinkling of a tropical drink in her hand. She even bet it held a little paper umbrella. She could just see Ellen in that tiny bikini wearing a big straw hat and gigantic dark glasses. “Cancun’s been incredibly welcoming.”
    The man Ellen was with was bound to be scorching hot. It wasn’t like Christine hadn’t met her own share of hunks, as well. “I know what you mean,” she said in a mysterious tone. “Vermont’s been friendly, too.”
    There was a subtle slurping, then a startled cough. “Don’t tell me the confirmed bachelorette has met someone?”
    “I didn’t say that… exactly.”
    “You’ve been there all of eight hours! Good girl!” Christine could tell Ellen was pleased with her, probably beaming like the Cheshire cat from ear to ear.
    “It’s not like that at all. My SUV got stuck in a snowstorm.”
    “And Prince Charming rescued you? Ooh, I’m just loving it! Come now, dish to the woman who made it all possible. What’s his name?”
    “John Steadman.”
    “Sounds promising. What’s he do?”
    “He’s a college professor.”
    “I’ll Google him!” Then Christine heard her whisper to her boy toy. “Hand me my iPad, baby.”
    “That’s stalkerish!”
    “You’re just jealous because you didn’t do it first. Let’s see S… T… Is it just an ‘e’ or an ‘ea’ in Steadman?”
    “How should I know?”
    “Yep. It’s ‘ea.’ Here he is. Mister… Whoops! Make that Doctor John Steadman. Um-hum… Burlington, Vermont. My oh my oh my. Is he a hottie!
    “Ellen!”
    “What? I’m terribly proud of you. So, when are the two of you going out?”
    “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. We’re not.”
    “Why not?”
    “He didn’t ask.”
    “Then you ask him.”
    “We’re only here for two weeks.”
    “And I’m only here for one,” she purred. “That doesn’t mean I’m letting my vacation go to waste.”