The Christmas Catch

said with a grin. “Guess what, buddy? I think we’ve got a date.”
    Mason cocked his head sideways, waiting.
    “No, I haven’t asked her yet. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to.”
    John took a sip of his coffee, devising a plan. The truth was that he was inordinately happy to hear from Christine. She hadn’t said much, just Thanks again for the ‘absolutely daring’ rescue or some such, but it was what was written between the lines that counted. She’d looked him up! Had actually taken the time to track him down, despite the fact that she couldn’t be in town for more than just a few days. John reasoned there wasn’t much harm in taking her and her boy out for coffee and cocoa. Show them a bit of genuine New England hospitality. Heck, it was lonely up here in wintertime. Besides, maybe his best friend Carlos was right. Spending all his time trapped indoors with a dog was getting to him. Sooner or later, he was going to start hearing Mason talk back.
    It wasn’t like John didn’t have his lady friends. But honestly, none of them were as good as Mason to talk to. It happened every time. Just when John thought things were going really well, someone had to bring up the marriage talk, that someone not being him. It wasn’t that John was opposed to marriage in theory. It was extra good for the economy, in fact. Just not for him personally at the moment, not with his big promotion coming up and his professional papers due. Maybe one day he’d settle down, but it didn’t need to be any day soon. Fortunately, that was neither here nor there. That sweet Carolina girl was only here for a little while, so there was no harm in being friendly and making a connection. All in the spirit of the General Alumni Association of course, John thought, beginning to type.

    Christine sat up in bed and flipped open her laptop. Yes. There was a message from John Steadman! Coffee and cocoa this afternoon? I know a place that you and Tyler might enjoy.
    Christine grinned broadly and quickly typed back Yes .
    “Yes, yes, yes ! ” she hollered, merrily kicking her feet under the covers. He’d done it. The handsome professor hottie had actually gone and done it! Asked Christine and Tyler out on a date! Okay, so maybe it wasn’t a date, technically. An outing then, yes. That’s what it was, an outing. Just the three of them. Four, counting Mason. She was sure that he would come along. Tyler was bound to love that. “Yes!”
    Christine brought her hands to her flaming cheeks as Tyler pressed his way in the room. “Mommy?” he asked groggily. “What is it? Is it time to get up?”
    “I’m sorry if I woke you, honey. I was just making plans. How does having cocoa with John sound?”
    He looked at her uncertainly. “It sounds all right.”
    Christine deposited her computer on the floor. “Come here, you,” she said, giving her little boy and his teddy a hug. She was still grinning in spite of herself, as gleeful and nervous as a teenager.
    Tyler peered up at her with big, dark eyes. “Are you happy, Mommy?”
    She pulled him up onto the bed and nestled him firmly in her arms. “Yeah, I suppose I am.”
    “I like it when you’re happy,” he said, snuggling up against her. “You’re not like that much.”
    The simple declaration hit her like a sucker punch. “Oh baby, I’m so sorry,” she said, hearing her voice crack. “Sorry that Mommy’s been such a crank.”
    “It’s not your fault,” his little voice said.
    “What do you mean?”
    “I know you need friends too.”
    She jostled him in her arms.
    “I’ve got Auntie Ellen.”
    “That’s not enough.”
    “No?”
    “Billy’s mommy has a friend.”
    “Oh?”
    “Sometimes he sleeps over.”
    Christine swallowed hard. “We don’t need to worry about that.”
    “I wouldn’t mind.”
    “But Mommy would. She’s… I’m… not ready.”
    “Well, I think John’s nice. Even if he’s not an angel.”
    “I bet you like Mason too,” she said, kissing him on the head.
    Tyler grinned. “I like Mason best!”

Chapter Six

    Christine, Tyler, and John sat in the small café housed in a country cottage. A real wood fire blazed in the fireplace nearby, its mantel crowned with Christmas decorations. A sign on the opposite wall read Kiddy Korner. Below it children played with old style blocks, puzzles, and a handcrafted circus train, stocked with various animals. Tyler set down his hot chocolate and pointed across the room.
    “Can I go over