by Abby Knox
Now it’s all settled.
They said their goodbyes and he found himself agreeing to stop by on Christmas Eve for dinner.
Devin made it to Mount Pleasant and back with freeze-dried meals, a bug-out bag and everything else on the 13-year-old’s list, including some extra-warm camping socks and a thermos, just for kicks. Why not? With all the money he was spending, he had the store’s seasonal gift-wrapper on site wrap up everything he had bought there as well as everything he had not bought there, and gave her a huge tip. As if he had a choice. If he tried to wrap anything it would end up looking like chimpanzee had been set free with paper, tape and bows, and then decided to chew on it and sit on it.
He supposed it was for people like him that God made gift bags. But there was still something special about opening wrapping paper. Call him sentimental, he liked looking at wrapped gifts under a tree. Gift bags under a tree just didn’t look right to him. And that was probably the fussiest thing about Devin Halpert.
He made one more stop while he was in Mount Pleasant. He went into a bookstore and got the nicest leather-bound blank journal and pen they had. Whoever was raising those three kids was doing something right, and he suspected he or she deserved a present as well. He inserted a gift card for gas and groceries. He hoped that wasn’t too presumptuous.
“I’m sorry, those gifts have all already been delivered.”
“But today is the deadline.”
“No, sir, it was yesterday,” said the woman behind the desk at the state emergency assistance agency.
He shrugged. “Well, give me the address and I’ll deliver it myself…” He checked her nameplate on her desk and added, “Margie?”
She shook her head. “I can’t give out that information, it’s confidential.”
“Why not, Margie?”
She looked at him like he was nuts. “Why? Because first of all I am a government employee and I am bound by law to protect personal information. Second, it’s a bit intrusive, don’t you think?”
Devin didn’t understand. “But, Margie, how are they going to get the gifts in time for Christmas?”
She stared at him across the desk. She looked like she was assessing him somehow. Then she raised an eyebrow. “Listen, you can keep repeating my name all you want. I’m going to go talk to my supervisor and see what we can do. I’ll be back in five minutes. That should give us both enough time for you to figure out what to do.”
He stared back at her, totally clueless. Then he realized she was pointedly looking at him and then down at her desk. “Five minutes, Mr. Halpert.”
When she stood to walk away, he leaned over the desk and peeked at the address, committing it to memory.
It wasn’t until he got to his truck that he realized the address was familiar.
Holy shit. That’s Claire’s house.
Chapter 17
Claire
If she felt awkward at the simple office party, getting ready for the big shindig was an exercise in avoiding a full-on panic attack.
Claire had never been to a party this fancy. No matter how much Devin assured her it wasn’t “that fancy,” she could not express to him just what she meant. Her family simply did not do holiday celebrations. They didn’t drink. They certainly did not allow women to wear low-cut sparkly dresses or makeup.
Grandma may have enjoyed some of these things, may she rest in peace. Damn, did she ever miss her this time of year. Especially this year.
For now, Claire tried to focus on the fact that Devin would be there, sitting next to her, taking her on a real, actual first date.
And yes, this would be her first real date of her entire life. Dating without a chaperone was not allowed back in Ohio, in her parents’ house. The very idea had given her the creeps, so she had avoided fraternizing at all with men she found attractive, until Devin brought her out of her shell.
In the mirror, she held up the red sweater and then the black sweater. Neither of them looked very festive. Any spending money she had saved had gone toward her green dress suit for her job interview, and everything she wore to work besides that was that suit, mixed and matched with different tops, scarves, sweaters, one pair of khakis and one wool plaid skirt.
So tonight it would have to be the wool skirt, patterned tights, flats, red sweater and some of her grandmother’s jewelry. That’s it. That was the best she could do with what she had.
She hoped it was good enough. Then she was reminded that the bottom line was, she would get alone time, without kids, with Devin.
When Devin arrived to pick her up, he had a whole different plan altogether.
“You look beautiful as always, Claire,” he said when she let him in. He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek in front of all her siblings, and they laughed. Layla, the oldest, had no visible reaction other than trying to read Devin.
He handed her a small bouquet of red roses with Christmas greenery and holly berries. She smiled. “Thank you, Devin. Nobody’s ever brought me flowers before.”
He took her hand and said, “Then I’m going to have to make up for lost time by bringing you flowers every day.” He then gestured to the kids. “I’ve got a surprise, kids. You want to go to the farm and pet some goats, horses and donkeys?”
They all stood and cheered, “Yes!” Even Layla.
Devin replied, “Then pack up your gear, you’re going to go hang out at my sister’s farm while your big sister and I go on a date. Is that OK with you all?”
Was it OK? Claire had never seen them move so fast to get their crap together and pull on their shoes, coats, hats and mittens.
As Devin helped her on with her coat, she muttered, “What in the world, Devin?”
“I told you I would take care of everything. My sister and her husband love kids and they said they’d be glad to entertain them for the evening. Is that OK?”
“I guess it’ll have to be OK.” Truth was, Claire was relieved to know they would be off-site, and not at home alone with Layla in charge, or with a babysitter who was clueless about their situation. Bringing them somewhere else was a better idea. The closer the days got to Christmas, the twitchier Claire seemed to be feeling about falling into a trap that would send the whole family right back to where they started. And that place was a bad place.
When Devin’s truck arrived at Morning Glory Farms, the kids piled out like they were headed for an amusement park and not just somebody’s house that had animals. Let no one dare separate her people from their love of animals.
No doubt some of the excitement stemmed from the fact that the kids had to leave behind their chickens when they bugged out of Ohio for good. They were saddest about leaving their animals. So this was no surprise.
Devin held the door for her. She stepped out and saw a pretty white farmhouse with an addition on the back and the front all done up in green garlands with red berries and other wild things, and giant bows. There was a huge wreath on every window, and garlands with white lights over the front door and along the porch rail. It looked like the most inviting home she’d ever seen in a magazine.
Inside waiting for them was a petite woman holding a baby in her arms and a toddler clinging to her leg.
Claire immediately felt like her family was overwhelming this busy young mother. “If this is too much for you, just say so. Devin didn’t tell me you had such little ones; you must be exhausted.”
“No, it’s fine! Anything for my big brother, right, Little Devvy Snack Cake?” She reached up and pinched his cheek, and it was truly ironic the way this small woman was calling him “little,” when he towered over her and had about 70 pounds on her.
Claire smirked. “Nice nickname.”
Devin shook his head. “Don’t even start.”
She couldn’t help herself. “Snack cake? Oatmeal cream sandwich or Christmas tree cake?”
“Stop,” he said, but couldn’t help but smile. Maggie took the kids into the kitchen after announcing she had mac and cheese.
“I’m going
to get a bite of your Nutter Butter either way. So you may as well tell me,” Claire said.
Devin turned at looked at her, a little shocked. “I believe your inner naughty girl has woken up. I like it.”
She blushed and smiled as he leaned in to deliver a sensuous little kiss on her neck, just below her ear. It was the briefest of kisses, but it was enough contact with Devin to arouse her sex. She could feel her nipples harden with the thrill of his lips on her. Down below, her thighs began to ache for the moment they could wrap around him.
Maggie got the kids settled, then when over the itinerary. “Jackson and I will take them out to the barn after dinner and let them feed and water the animals, if that’s OK with you, Claire. Then we’ve got a little horse-drawn sled that Jackson has just put together, so we’re going to try that out. Then come back for hot chocolate and the Grinch movie. Is all that good with you?”
But Claire was more focused on Maggie’s outfit than on the words she was saying. She had on a cute black dress with festive leggings, a sparkly scarf and cowboy boots.
“Wow, you’re more dressed up to babysit on a farm than I am for this big fancy party,” Claire commented before she could think to stop herself.
Maggie cocked her head and looked at Claire’s outfit. Clearly she was trying to think of something nice to say about her clothes. “Well, you’re extremely beautiful. Too beautiful for my annoying big brother,” she said, winking at her brother, “so you would look fabulous in any outfit. But you look about my size. You want to raid my closet?”
Claire immediately shook her head. “No, I couldn’t.”
Maggie smiled and grabbed her hand. Then she handed the baby over to Devin. “Watch Max for me, hun.”
Before Devin could object, the two women were off to Maggie’s closet upstairs.
Chapter 18
Devin
Max looked up at Devin expectantly and patted his chest. “Sorry, kid. I don’t got the goods you want.” The baby smiled and laughed at the sound of his voice.
So he kept talking. “What do you think they’re doing up there?”
Max continued to laugh and widen his eyes. “Yeah, you’re right. They’re up there talking about me. Maggie’s telling her all kinds of horror stories about my past, isn’t she?”
The baby was nearly doubled over with laughter and Devin had to adjust his grip to prevent him from dropping him on his head. That was all he needed: another story for Maggie, Wynn and their oldest sister Lily to bring up at every family gathering. Sisters.
And now Maggie had harassed his date into changing her clothes, when what Claire had on in the first place was totally suitable. What was with his daft little sister anyway?
But when Claire descended the stairs, Devin forgot all about whatever he had been objecting to in his mind. She looked like a Christmas princess. On her feet were black heels with a fancy sequin pattern. She had on the same print tights, which was good because Devin always thought they were sexy. Her sweater and skirt were gone and in their place was a red flapper-style dress with beads, complete with a deep cowl neckline and a hem that stopped mid-thigh, complementing her amazing legs. The hemline had a short, flirty fringe that about sent him over the edge.
Hey, Devin, said his reptile brain. How about an insta-boner?
Don’t mind if I do, said the tent in his pants.
Her hair was pulled up into some kind of low messy bun to the side, with sprigs of holly berries in it. It looked like Maggie had also done some makeup, and Devin realized he had never seen her looking so confident in her own skin. She was incredible.
He watched his girl hug Maggie before they left. “Thank you so much, Maggie.”
“You’re welcome,” Maggie said. And when Claire’s back was turned so Devin could help her with her coat, Maggie gave Devin an approving thumbs up.
Maggie mouthed at him, “Do not screw this up! She’s the ONE.”
Chapter 19
Claire
She had been right to have been nervous about this party. She may have been dressed the part and felt amazing in Maggie’s clothes, but looking around this hotel ballroom in Mount Pleasant, people were staring.
The lab crew could not care less. The ranch staff, who all knew Devin, could not stop coming over to gawk at her and to chat up their old boss.
The entire office staff, seated at tables on all sides of them, spent almost the whole dinner looking at her sideways, or sitting in silence, or making painfully awkward small talk.
When cocktail hour was over and dinner was through, Claire was ready to get the hell out of the room. The comedian would arrive soon and Claire took that moment to go to the ladies’ room to check on her makeup and take care of other business.
While she was in the bathroom stall, taking some extra time to make sure her control top tights were in the right place and her bra as well, she overheard two women talking.
“Did you see that dress she’s wearing?”
“She looks cute.”
“Brazen enough to date the boss, I’m not surprised she would wear something so low cut. I guess that whole meek persona was fake after all.”
“Oh, come on. She’s young. If I had that body I sure as hell would be showing it off as well.”
“Sure you would, but you wouldn’t fuck your way to the top of WX Genetics.”
“And what an exciting climb that would be. Oh great, I can have a corner office in the middle of the cornfield.”
“Or move to corporate in Denver. Maybe that’s what she’s after.”
“I don’t know, she seems like a harmless, lost little bumpkin to me.”
“Well, she’s getting a hell of an education from Devin Halpert, who’s been around the block and then some. I wouldn’t touch that dick with a ten-foot pole, knowing the crowd he used to run in…”
Claire stayed frozen in the stall until the voices eventually disappeared out the bathroom door. She was barely breathing. She didn’t know if she needed to cry or bolt or stab something.
There was one other time in her life she had had this feeling. She wished she could go back to that other time and deal with the person who had made her feel this way. But instead of dealing, she had grabbed everyone she loved and bugged right out of Dodge.
“Can we go now?” She was back at Devin’s side, who was turning down a shot of whiskey offered by some of the college kids from the ranch.
The comedian had just taken the stage and was tapping on the mic. “Is this thing on? I’m just kidding, how are you folks tonight?”
Devin looked at her and said, “I’ve been waiting all night for you to say that. By all means, girl, let’s go.”
As they grabbed their coats and headed out, Devin finally noticed her face.
“Are you OK? What happened to you in the bathroom?”
“I just need to get out of here.”
“Babe, slow down.” They were now outside on the slippery parking lot. Devin caught up and took her arm in his. “I can’t have you falling on the ice.”
Once in the truck, finally alone, she turned to him. “What is your end goal here? Because everyone thinks I’m in it for the money and influence. They think I’m a gold digger or that I’m fucking my way to the top. Let me ask you this. I know why I’m here. Why are you with me, Devin?”
Chapter 20
Devin
He didn’t know who said what to his girl, but somebody was going to get their ass kicked tonight.
“I’m here for you, Claire.” He cranked the heat in the truck when he saw her shivering. “I would not still be at this lame job if you had not walked into my office on that first day. Are you kidding me? You made my life bearable.”
Claire nodded. “I’m glad I’ve made your life bearable, Devin. But what about me? Meanwhile, they’re all treating me like I’m the office slut. I just heard what they say about me when I’m not listening, and it is way worse than I thought. They straight up believe I’m a whore and that you’re…well …because of your
past…not exactly safe to be with, sexually.”
It was time to drive. Devin didn’t speak for a while, just drove them back to Middleburg. The countryside between Mount Pleasant and home was black and shapeless, with no streetlights out here in the sticks. It wasn’t until they approached town that things were illuminated. The “Welcome to Middleburg” sign announced it was “The River Road’s Best-Kept Secret.”
Devin wasn’t feeling this sense of welcome right now. People here were, in fact, pretty fucking terrible at keeping secrets. Everybody knew his business and now, people and their wagging tongues were using his past to drag the reputation of his girl. And maybe endanger his relationship in the process.
He finally spoke. “First of all, I’ve been tested. Yes, I went through a lot in my younger days. I did drugs. I hung out with some pretty messed-up people. I may have had sex with a few of them, but I never did it for drugs or money. I never got anyone pregnant. I never gave anybody any diseases and nobody gave me anything. I don’t know if it’s luck or what. But I am fine. Do you believe me?”
He could see out of the corner of his eye that Claire was watching him intently as he drove into town, past the feed store, the grain elevators—the tallest structures in town—illuminated like concrete menaces.
“Yes, I believe you,” she said.
“And now, the other thing. That’s more complicated. I had no idea you were being treated this way. If our relationship is making people judge you, then it’s all the better that we came out as a couple here, tonight. It’s all out in the open now. Don’t you see? There’s no way I would give you special professional treatment because of your girlfriend status. Because that would be the first thing people would point to. The more it’s out in the open, the fewer the secrets, the better, don't you think? “
