28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter twenty-eight
Peter
Christmas morning I woke up earlier than usual, feeling far more well-rested than I had in a while. When I reached for my phone, I realized the alarm hadn’t woken me. Two text messages had.
Edith:
Edith:
A smile appeared on my face at the invitation. Edith made a point to take care of all of us and make sure we had breakfast on a regular morning. I couldn't wait to see what surprises .
Fifteen minutes later, I headed toward the lodge. It was easy to leave the house early and quickly when I didn't have to worry about eating or getting anyone else out the door. In no time at all, I walked into the kitchen. “Good morning, Edith. Merry Christmas.”
The lodge matriarch spun around, and a smile lit up her entire face as she walked over and gave me a hug. “Merry Christmas, Peter. I’m glad you got my message. Please, sit down.”
I proceeded to have the most amazing quiche with spinach, cheese, and other vegetables, brioche french toast casserole, a crepe filled with banana slices and hazelnut spread and topped with whipped cream, and of course, cinnamon rolls.
After eating far more than I needed, I headed to the security room, greeting Cole as I walked through the door.
A stunned smile appeared on his face when he looked over. “You aren’t supposed to be here yet.”
I shrugged. “Edith called me here early for breakfast and then told me to kick you out after I finished eating. So, go and eat, and then either take a nap or head to see Phil, Chelsea, and Kiera.”
Cole clapped me on the shoulder before he walked out of the room. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Of course. Enjoy your day.” I was genuinely happy to let the guys be with their ladies today.
It’s not like I have anyone to be with.
The morning was uneventful enough that I had time to log into the secret backup server and check on Hummingbird’s property. Everything was as it should be. Good.
There was a knock on the door right before it opened.
“Busy?”
I glanced up to see Frank standing there. “Hey. I was about to walk the perimeter. Is there something else you need help with?”
He stepped into the room, shaking his head and grinning. “Two things, actually. I need you to clock out and enjoy the rest of your holiday. Also, Edith wants you to swing by her office before you leave.”
My mouth fell open as I processed his words. “Who’s going to watch the lodge if I go home?”
Frank pulled out his phone and wiggled it.
“Your friend Cole helped me install an app that lets me monitor everything and pushes any notifications to me. We’ll be fine for a half day.
Besides, if I’m being honest, and I mean no disrespect by this, with Lukas and Quinn away, I feel like the threat level dropped some. ”
I chuckled as I packed up. “Fair enough. I’ll check in with your lovely wife and then head out.”
“Enjoy your day, Peter.”
When I didn’t immediately see Edith upon walking into the kitchen, I peeked into her office. She was at her desk, writing. After knocking on the door and waiting for her to look up, I took one step in. “Frank said you wanted to see me?”
“Yes. Since anyone who would be checking in on you is currently occupied, I wanted to ask you to make a stop on your way home.”
The pointed stare Edith gave me filled in an unspoken detail. Hummingbird. “I’d be happy to.” I paused, making sure to choose my words carefully. “I chatted with our friend a little last night, but…” I trailed off.
She gave me a warm smile and nodded. “But you’re still worried about them. I get it. I am, too.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I don’t like that they’re alone.” It was one thing for me to fly solo for the holiday, but this person had no choice.
Edith leaned forward, resting her elbows on her desk. I didn’t miss the little excited twinkle in her eye. “What did you two talk about last night? If you don’t mind me asking.”
And they say Frank is the nosey meddler. “Well, we talked about our dinners, how they missed pot roast, and then we watched White Christmas together, so to speak.”
Her excitement morphed into intrigue. “Really? Well, I’m about to make their day.” Edith stood and waved for me to follow her as she walked into the kitchen. “I have a little care package I’d like you to drop off.”
I grinned. “Are we about to make someone’s Christmas merrier?”
Edith chuckled. “Yes. I need and want all my people eating a home-cooked meal today. Speaking of.” She arched her eyebrow and stared at me. “What is it going to take to convince you to come here for Christmas dinner? I know I can’t make you, but--”
“I’m honored to be invited and happy to come. What time would you like me back?” This amazing woman asked for so little and loved with such an open heart. There was no way I could have told her no.
“A little before six.”
“Perfect.”
After loading everything into my SUV, I sent off a message.
Shield:
Hummingbird:
Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong.
What they didn’t know was that there was no way I would be able to look at myself in the mirror and be okay if I didn't.
Shield:
Shield:
Hummingbird:
Shield:
There was a smile on my face as I drove to the property.
It felt good not only being able to deliver a present to them but also a meal they’d been pining for.
In no time at all, I was in the mine entrance and transferring the packages to the locked cache.
I had not been expecting to see anything in there, but when there were two boxes neatly wrapped in what looked like brown butcher paper, I couldn't help but smile.
Especially when they were clearly labeled Momma E and Shield.
What did Hummingbird do?
I walked back to the SUV, pulled out my phone, and turned on the Wi-Fi.
Shield:
Hummingbird:
Touche. I chuckled as I responded.
Shield:
I shook my head after rereading the message.
Shield:
Hummingbird:
Another chuckle came out. I like this person.
Shield:
Hummingbird:
How are they getting to and from the cache without being seen?
There had to be a secret door somewhere in this old mine, and I wanted to check the backup server to see if I could find any other information.
Shaking the thought from my head, I glanced at the brown paper wrapped present with my name written in an elegant script.
Shield:
Hummingbird:
A grin appeared on my face as I glanced up at one of the cameras. I bet they’re watching.
Very carefully, I ripped the paper to find a soft, dark grey scarf. It reminded me of the one Lynette had made for Ben.
Shield:
Hummingbird:
Hummingbird:
I immediately put it on, a bit surprised it smelled like Edith’s cinnamon rolls.
How did they do that? Does it matter?
I headed out and back to the house. I had several hours before I needed to be back to the lodge, which gave me plenty of time to hang out with my family via video chat. A smile appeared on my face. I got to see all my family today.
By the time I was setting up my spot in the basement, making sure to have all the presents mailed to me at my side, Lukas had texted me a few updates.
Lukas:
Lukas:
That caught my interest and made me concerned.
Peter:
Lukas:
Peter:
I settled onto the couch and started a video chat with my sister. When she answered, my entire family filled the screen, shouting Merry Christmas.
My mom loved the painting I commissioned from Lukas, my stepmom loved the knitting supplies I’d had Lynette help me pick out, my dad and stepdad were beyond ecstatic with the group gift of a round of golf at a super fancy course they’d been dreaming of visiting, but all of that paled in comparison to my sister’s reaction.
Violet jumped off the couch and knocked over her phone as she went to grab it to ‘yell’ at me for going over the top with her present.
She’d been wanting to get a full sleeve of tattoos, and I ensured she had the funds to make it happen.
Seeing her that happy brought me more joy than anyone would ever know.
My presents included discs of all the seasons to one of my favorite TV shows, a hoodie I’d been drooling over for several months, a new leather holster to wear on my belt, and a framed gun range target. Violet had secretly been working on her marksmanship and wanted to surprise and impress me.
Eventually, the foam disc shooting plastic guns made their appearance, and my sister had to end the call.
“Sorry, Peter, but I'm dipping into your arsenal this year. I need to kick some butt.”
“Don’t forget to raid Dad’s not-so-secret ammo stash in the pantry.”
Violet grinned. “Thanks! Love you!”
Hummingbird
I still couldn’t believe Edith and Shield had sent me the pot roast dinner I'd been craving.
Tears immediately sprang to my eyes when I brought the care package into my home and opened it.
The tears flowed more freely when I immediately grabbed two plates to set the table with.
I was celebrating another holiday alone.
But not forgotten.
My attention went to the three gifts that had also been included in the care package.
Edith gave me the softest heather grey sweater cardigan that I immediately put on and swore I was never going to take off again.
It was that comfortable. Lynette gave me a crochet pattern book and the most adorable crocheted and stuffed hummingbird.
It was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen.
But what sent me over the edge was the tiny fish tank, complete with mini plastic fish.
Shield and I had talked about our lack of pets, and while this was by no means a pet, it gave me the illusion of having one.
After adding water, the fish, and then plugging it in, I couldn't keep the grin off my face.
It looked and sounded like a real fish tank and immediately brightened my day.
My viewing was interrupted by the sound of an incoming message.
Shield:
Attached was a picture of a tight cluster of hits on the target paper. I was impressed. Seeing the image made me remember how much I missed going to the gun range. I’d been improving… until I almost died.
Don’t go there right now.
Hummingbird:
I took a picture of my mini tank all set up.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
Me, too.
Peter
The two days following Christmas went as smoothly as I could have hoped.
The only alarming thing that happened was finding out Gage’s new girlfriend was also Don San Augustine’s daughter.
Lukas hadn’t had a lot of time to give me details, and I was hoping after they came home the following day that he’d fill me in on more of it.
I’d settled in to continue watching the show I'd been given for Christmas, when my phone dinged.
Quinn:
I snickered.
Peter:
Quinn:
Quinn:
I burst out laughing. Memories of Lukas, Ryan, and Connor having an origami showdown not long after we came out to Colorado popped into mind. Lukas hadn’t won then, either.
Peter:
Quinn:
Peter:
Quinn:
I was both surprised and not that Gage was so proficient at origami. But then again, the man kept most of his life close to the vest.
Quinn:
Another laugh came out as I responded.
Peter:
Quinn:
Peter:
Quinn:
Quinn:
Peter: