Chapter 16
Clem
“Come on, Myles. Let’s get things organized so we can close up for the holidays.”
“I’m working on it, Clem. I’ve contacted Mr. Shirling, and he’s on his way now to pick up the BMW.
The biker said he’ll get his Yamaha after the holidays, so we just have to make sure it’s disabled in case anyone breaks in.
Have you double-checked the security alarm?
” Myles is panting due to all his rushing around.
“Yeah, the security system is set. I just have to activate it as we leave. Getting it upgraded was a good idea, and now if we get an alarm we can see what is happening.” I lock the office and flick the action button on the security app on my phone.
I head to the store area, close that door, lock it and again set the security alarm.
Myles walks over, wiping his hands on a rag, and then throws it into the disposal can. “Okay, everything is done that we can do. Let’s go home, have a shower and a beer.”
Home, showered, and after watching Oren rush into Whitney’s from the school bus, we look at each other and shake our heads.
Oren didn’t even attempt to come here even though the truck was in the drive showing we were home.
The kid is obsessed with Whitney. All we hear is, ‘Whitney this,’ ‘Whitney that,’ ‘Whitney something else.’
The door bursts open, and Oren rushes into the house. Must have been because we’d been talking about him! I chuckle at the thought that our talking about him had made him magically appear.
“Daddy, Whitney needs help to get the cottage ready for tonight when her friends come,” Oren throws out, with a hint of panic in his tone, I might add.
“Does she now?” Myles replies and gives me a ‘here we go again’ look.
“Uncle Clem, you're going to marry Aunt Whitney, so you need to come make sure she’s happy.” I look at Oren’s temper rising, which shows in his stance. Hands on his hips, pouting bottom lip, which I see wobble a little. Shit, he’s getting upset.
“Okay, bud. Lead the way.” I chase him out of the house, and over to Whitney’s cottage. It’s damn snowing again, and we have no coats on. I pick Oren up, throw him over my shoulder and run. Oren is pealing with laughter, and I hear Myles right behind us.
Opening the door and entering the cottage, we both take our shoes off and place them on the plastic tray that Whitney placed next to the door. We know if we don’t we’ll be in trouble.
“Okay, sweet lady, what can we do to help you? We see a damsel in distress and have our White Knight attitude at the ready.” I flick my eyes to Oren who is hopping around and pretending to fight with a sword. He knows about Knights as we have read books to him and playacted.
Shaking her head at us but smiling at the same time, she quickly gets into the role. “Oh, dear sirs, I need some assistance to make ready a room, and lay out a banquet of food.”
We all end up laughing while we organize the cottage. Whitney has a nice array of food for the friends she has coming. An assortment of non-alcoholic drinks and cookies that I’m sure she and Oren made.
Whitney has placed a surprise package on the bed in the second bedroom for Lee.
It has an assortment of body lotions, bath bombs, whatever they are, and other stuff that I’m not even going to ask about.
But it shows me how much she considers other people, and I like that about her.
She truly cares about the people in her life.
I will never understand her ex-husband not valuing the gem he held in his hand.
I’m surprised when Whitney agrees Myles will pick Lee up from the airport.
I know she’s not happy about driving in the snow, but the roads are clear, and thankfully, have been kept clear.
Myles offered, and Oren jumped at the chance to go too, so that gives me an hour with Whitney on my own. Yeah, I make the most of it, too.
Whitney
The call was picked up quickly by Gerald and I know he’ll be panicking as he always does right before holidays. But this year he doesn’t have me to make sure everything is perfectly in place.
“Oh, Whitney, are you finished for the holiday?” Gerald asks, and I hear Julia speaking in the background.
“Yes. I’m finished with the Viking saga.
It has all been fact-checked carefully, and it’s ready to go.
I do however think it needs to be divided into two books.
The point I suggest doing a cut-off is at chapter forty-three.
It is the perfect time for him to take the main female character back home for the second time.
That is where his family is going to have a problem with his love. ”
Gerald sighs. “I can agree with that, Whitney. I’ve been flicking through it and came to the same conclusion because honestly, it was having the same feel as War and Peace. You know, never-ending.”
Gerald and I discussed the book a little more before I had to cut the conversation short.
One reason being I can hear Julia in the background, and two, I need to do some shopping.
“Okay, Gerald, I have to run as I have some chores to do. I’ll be starting back after the New Year.
I have uploaded all you need for the Viking Saga. ”
“Okay, thank you, Whitney. You have a good time over the holiday.”
“Thank you, Gerald. You have a happy holiday, too.” I quickly close the call and check my laptop before closing it, and think that it is great that I’m all done for now at least.
Thanks to the help from Clem, Myles and Oren I’m all ready for my ladies coming tonight.
I’m looking forward to the evening as it’s been such a long time since I socialized with people in my own home.
I can say that now and mean it literally, but even with Kyle I didn’t feel as comfortable having people around as I am tonight.
That is everything ready now for the ladies, and Lee arriving. I can’t wait. It’s going to be fun.
When the door flies open and Oren dashes in with Lee I scream and rush over, grabbing her into a hug and crying at the same time.
Oren shrieks, “Daddy fetched Aunt Lee, don’t cry Aunt Whitney.”
“Don’t start being a crybaby. Come on now, let’s get my things in my room, and you can tell me all about what’s been happening,” Lee states as she drags me out of the living area.
Clem and Myles don’t hang around once they see Lee is taking over the conversation. Well, all but the part where Oren is asking Lee a hundred questions at once.
Rhea and Lou arrive, and we all settle in the living area, with drinks and plates of food. Oren is asking questions of the two newcomers to the room, and I see Lee watching him with a softness in her eye.
“So, what did you think of Myles?” I asked when everyone else was preoccupied.
“Girl, I had to wring out my panties. You never told me he was sex on a stick.” Fanning herself comically. “Yeah, I’d climb that like a monkey up a tree after its favorite banana.”
Now, I’m not sure if the banana was a mention of something else or not, but I’m not asking either. Not when Oren is in the room and is like a parrot.
“Who do you want to climb like a tree?” Rhea asks, and I suck my lips in with amusement as Oren is now taking in the conversation. I can see Lee trying to think of a way out of this, and it is highly amusing.
“I can climb trees,” Oren states honestly.
Lee thankfully replies to him, distracting him at the same time. “Well, that’s great. But don’t be falling out of one or you’ll break a leg.”
“Oh, Aunt Whitney wanted me to break a leg.”
I splutter on the soda I was drinking, and give Lee a wide-eyed look. “Um, no, the saying is Break a leg.” I try to explain, but everyone is looking at me seriously, making me feel bad about the saying now.
“Did Whitney say, a piece of cake, spill the beans, and once in a blue moon?” Lee asks Oren with a serious look on her face.
“Yes,” Oren shouts with excitement, recognizing what Lee is asking. “I say with bells on,” and he tells everyone that proudly.
“Hmm, well if I were you I’d remember them all, and say them back to her when you get the opportunity.”
“I don’t want Aunt Whitney to break a leg.” Oren looks like he’s going to cry, and we all quickly jump to another subject before he gets upset.
“Do you think you could sing your carol for me? The one you sang at school?” Rhea asks, and it takes all of five seconds for Oren to launch into Taylor Swift again.
We all sing along, dance for a while, before singing some more. Eating, drinking and being merry is what we are doing, without alcohol because neither Lee nor I drink the stuff. Rhea and Lou don’t seem to care that there is no alcohol either, so that is good.
It is late in the evening for Oren, and he’s snoring softly against Lee who is running her hand gently down his back. I pick him up and carry him home where his daddy can put him to bed.