Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Wilder
The past three days at Willow Branch Mountain have been some of the best days I’ve had in years. Spending them with Delilah, getting her mostly to myself, and learning new things about each other still has me in the best mood by the time I arrive at the shelter Sunday afternoon.
I hate that I’m missing another family dinner, but Delilah will be there, and if there’s anyone I trust to handle my family’s antics, it’s her.
“Wilder!” Miss Tierney smiles wide, greeting me with a hug. “We’ve missed you ’round here.”
“I’m glad to be back. Where do you need me tonight?”
It’s the night before Christmas Eve, which means it’s going to be packed. As sad as it is to think about so many people who aren’t with their families this time of year, I’m glad I’m able to be here and help them have a holiday dinner.
“All hands on deck tonight, so you’ll be servin’ up front and then doin’ dishes in the back. You might end up stayin’ later than usual.”
“No problem. I gave my wife a heads-up I’d be late tonight.”
“Wife? When did that happen?”
She looks thoroughly shocked and my mind goes back to when Delilah asked a million questions about Miss Tierney and if she was married or not.
“A couple weeks ago.”
She arches a brow, folding her arms. “When you were in Vegas?”
“Yep.” I beam. “And then we took a mini honeymoon.”
“Oh…” She plasters a smile on her face. “Well, congrats!”
“Thank you.”
“Everyone’s wearin’ Santa hats or reindeer headbands, so feel free to pick one from my office.”
“Sure, will do.”
Then she’s off making sure everything else is ready to go before the doors open.
Once the line of people enters, we stay busy for a solid two hours. The cooks bring out pan refills and then take back the empty ones I’ll clean later.
Once the line comes to an end, I walk around and offer to clear their plates from the table. I enjoy this part of the night because it means I get a few seconds to chat with them and ask how they’re doing.
One of the little boys comes up to me and hands me something wrapped in a white grocery bag.
“What’s this?” I ask him.
“I made it at school.”
“It’s for me?”
He nods frantically, nearly jumping out of his shoes. “Yeah, open it!”
I unravel the tape and open the bag, then reach in to grab it.
“Oh my gosh, Sam.” My jaw drops at the wooden photo frame decorated in red and green painted pasta noodles. But that’s not what has my emotions in overdrive. Inside is a photo of us from my first weekend volunteering here.
I kneel in front of him, admiring how thoughtful this is. “This is absolutely precious. Thank you, bud.”
As soon as I open my arms, he falls into them. “You’re welcome.”
“You have no idea how much this means to me.”
He pulls back with a toothy grin on his face. “You like it?”
“I love it. I’m gonna display it on my kitchen counter so I see it every single day.”
“Cool.” He flashes a bashful smile.
I feel bad that I don’t have anything to give him in return, so I pull off my Santa hat and put it on his head. “Here, you look much cuter in it than me.”
He giggles. “Thanks.”
“What’re you hopin’ Santa brings you this year?” I ask, wanting to give him something the next time I’m here. He’s in second grade, so I assume he’s into stuff like trucks and legos.
His gaze falls to the ground and he lifts a shoulder. “I didn’t make a list.”
“No? Why not?”
“Mama lost her job, and I didn’t want her to feel sad.”
My heart breaks in two, and I should’ve known better than to ask. “I’m sorry. I’ll see what I can do for her, but in the meantime, what’s somethin’ you’d like?”
“Um…a bed?”
“What do you mean? Like new sheets?”
“No. I sleep on the couch because my little sister’s crib takes up too much space in my mom’s room. She has a bed we used to share, but she gets up a lot at night to feed Lily, so I sleep in the livin’ room. But the couch ain’t that comfortable.”
I try not to show it on my face, but I’m devastated. It’s not the first time I’ve heard their stories, and I always try to help when I can. Miss Tierney warned me not to get too emotionally attached, but when it comes to kids, there’s no way I can’t.
“Mom!” Sam calls, waving to her behind me.
“There ya are.” She gives him a look, then glances at me. “Sorry, I went to change Lily and told him to stay put, but of course he ran off on me.”
I stand, smiling at her. “No problem. He showed me the sweet photo frame he made for me.”
“I thought you’d like it.” She grins. “He talks about you all the time and gets so excited to see you on the weekends.”
My chest aches, knowing he was probably let down at not seeing me yesterday or the weekend before.
I lower my voice so Sam can’t overhear me. “I’d like to help with gettin’ him something for Christmas, but I don’t want to overstep. Please let me know what I can do. For you and Lily, too.”
She looks uncomfortable at my offer.
“I know it’s not easy accepting help, especially from someone you don’t know that well, but I’d like to do somethin’ if you’re okay with it.”
“Like what?” she asks just above a whisper.
“Sam says you’re out of a job. We’re lookin’ for a receptionist at The Lodge in Sugarland Creek. Flexible hours, great pay, health benefits, and on-site childcare. The listin’ hasn’t even gone out yet, but if you want it, it’s yours.”
“You’re serious?” she asks nervously, shifting Lily to her other hip.
“Absolutely.”
She nods frantically, tears swelling in her eyes.
“Great.” I smile wide. “I’ll let them know to expect you on January second. Enjoy the holiday with your kids, and I’ll make sure you have enough cash to cover your bills until then. I’ll make sure Santa comes too…” I lean in and say softly.
“You really don’t have to do that,” she murmurs, on the verge of tears, but she quickly wipes her cheeks.
I look down at Sam and grin, seeing the sweetest kid I’ve ever met. “It’d be my honor to do it. Plus, I know my wife would love to as well.”
Delilah and I have plans to go Christmas shopping tomorrow—on the busiest shopping day of the year, no less—but with everything else going on, we haven’t had time.
“Here, program your number and address.,” I hand her my phone. “I’ll text you so we can swing by tomorrow night, if that’s okay?”
“Yeah, we’ll be home.” She plugs in her name and information.
“Perfect.” I kneel in front of Sam. “You better be good for your mom so Santa brings you lots of presents, okay?”
“Okay!” he squeals, jumping into my arms.
I laugh when he nearly tackles me to the floor.
“I gotta get back to the kitchen and clean up, but you guys have a good night. Thank you again for my gift. I’ll treasure it forever.” I wink.
“Is there a reason your grandmother would randomly put her hand on my belly and then walk away without so much as a word or explanation as to what she was doin’?” Delilah asks as she changes into her pajamas.
“Uh…beats me. Did she do it to anyone else?”
“No!” She stands in front of the full-length mirror and shifts to the side to look at herself. “Maybe I gained a few pounds. What’d you think?”
“Don’t be silly. You look perfect.” I stand in front of her. “Gramma Grace was probably just hintin’ she wants more great-grandchildren. She likes to do weird voodoo shit like that.”
“No, I do look bloated. It’s all that salt in the food your mother makes me eat.”
I chuckle, then lift her up and carry her over my shoulder.
“Wilder! Put me down.” She smacks my back and tries kicking her feet.
Tossing her onto the bed, I tower over her with my hands on either side of her and my knees caging her legs in. “You’re beautiful and nothin’ you eat is gonna change that. Got it?”
She rolls her eyes, not taking me seriously. I grab her arms and pin them next to her head.
“Say it…say I’m beautiful,” I demand.
She defiantly rolls her eyes. “I’m beautiful,” she mutters, barely audible.
Leaning in, I bury my face in her neck and suck it—hard.
“No hickies!” She squirms beneath me.
“Then say it like you believe it,” I warn, then continue sucking the same spot.
She shifts her head, trying to shove me off, but unlucky for her, I’m stronger.
“Fine, fine!” she shouts. “I’m beautiful!”
I smack one more kiss on her neck. “Perfect…” I lean back and smile at my handiwork. “As is that.”
“I’m gonna kill you.” She lifts her knee and nearly gets me right in the balls, but I’m quick to stop her.
“Tsk tsk, Mrs. Hollis. Is that any way to talk to your husband?”
“Payback’s a bitch, ya know that?” She shoves at my chest.
I flash her a wicked grin, standing and pulling her up with me. “That’s what I’m countin’ on, baby.”
She rolls her eyes again. “If you weren’t the sweetest man ever, I’d seek revenge on you.”
As soon as I got home, I told her about Sam and my plan to get him some gifts. She was immediately on board and even added that we should buy some things for his mom, too. Since she probably doesn’t get to open anything, I loved the idea and also planned to find some gift cards.
“Feel free to seek revenge with you naked on top of me…” I tease, waggling my brows.
“I was thinkin’ more along the lines of sittin’ on your face until you can’t breathe.”
“Ooh, darlin’…” I cup her ass, pulling her closer. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”