“I reckon I best be getting on home,” said John. “The sleet has let up for now, and I don’t want to get caught out if it starts up again.”
“What about dessert?” asked Sky, “and the game?”
“I’d appreciate some of that cobbler for later if you don’t mind.”
Max helped Sky fix the dessert and add it to John’s haul as the loveable giant put on his coat, then with only a brief hesitation, his normally reticent friend bent down and grabbed Sky in a gentle hug.
“You don’t know how much today meant to me,” he whispered. “Thank you for including me.”
“Can I have a hug to, Santa? I mean, Mr. John?”
Maddie’s gleeful question brought a smile to the big man’s face. “Absolutely.”
The goodbye process took longer than Max expected. To his way of thinking, you say goodbye, and you leave. Evidently, that wasn’t the case here. He counted no less than six goodbyes before John actually walked out the door.
A huge yawn from Maddie got Max’s attention. “Sleepy, Tink?”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t wanna go home yet. Do I have to, Mama? Can’t we stay and watch the game with Max?”
“You want to stay and watch a football game?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The look on Sky’s face said she didn’t believe her daughter’s assertion.
“How about I make a pallet on the floor for you,” offered Max. “You can watch the game till you get sleepy, then take a nap.”
Immediately, Maddie’s face lit up with a huge smile. “Thanks.” She grabbed his hand and headed toward the living room.
Sky’s laugh followed him to the door. “I’ll bring us some coffee.”
A short time later, Max sat with Sky curled up beside him, the game all but forgotten as Maddie lay curled up on her pallet, fast asleep. “Today was wonderful,” he said. “And having John here, well, that made it even more special.”
“He’s a good man. I like him.”
“He likes you, too. And Maddie. Not many folks are on that list.”
“I know.”
No time like the present. He placed his cup on the coffee table, paused, then placed his arm on the back of the couch, bringing Sky closer.
His heart rate spiked when she put her cup next to his and snuggled against him.
“This is nice,” she murmured.
“It is.”
She looked away, then back to him, those mesmerizing eyes full of something he couldn’t name.
“How is it that I feel as if I’ve known you forever when it’s only been a short while?”
Surprised to hear her speak his own thoughts, he nodded. “I know. I feel the same way.”
Her smile was timid as she nestled against him, and a comfortable silence ensued.
Afraid to allow the hope blooming inside to grow unchecked, Max mentally ticked off all the reasons a relationship with Sky was a bad idea. But each and every item on his very long list withered like grass in the desert when she looked at him.
“I probably should go before it starts sleeting again.”
“You’ll have to wake Maddie.”
“I wouldn’t want to do that.”
“Me neither.”
“…Max.”
His name, whispered so softly as to be almost inaudible, was an entreaty he couldn’t refuse. He glanced down at Maddie to be sure she was asleep, then leaned over and brushed his lips against Sky's, once, twice.
She sighed and leaned into the kiss, opening her mouth to his exploration.
It wasn’t a sexual kiss so much as a deep, soul-melding one that went on forever.
When at last she pulled away and rested her head in the bend of his shoulder, Max knew real happiness and contentment. A lifetime of emotions held in check came rushing out, making his breath catch and his heart flutter. He looked at the sleeping child and the woman in his arms and closed his eyes.
Thank you. For today. For this.
Max wasn’t brave enough or naïve enough to believe it would last. But he found something he wasn’t accustomed to.
