Currently the family sat gathered around the brightly lit Christmas tree in the living room, passing out presents to all the grandkids that wouldn’t be able to stay for Christmas day.
“I told you they were loud,” he leaned his head, whispering into Cody’s ear.
“You’ve experienced more than enough of the Turner hospitality. You know this ain’t got nothing on them.” Cody looked over at Mitch, grinning from ear to ear. “How’s the tattoo?”
“Hurts like hell. Why’d you let me do that?” he asked, smiling back at Cody who bumped him in the shoulder.
“Ah, young love.” Mitch cut his eyes up as Colt came to stand behind them.
“Leave them alone,” Jace said as he took a seat on the floor in front of Mitch and Cody.
“No, he can keep going this time. I am young,” Mitch teased, nodding firmly. “It’s why I love coming home. I’m the baby.”
“You have a niece almost your boyfriend’s age,” Colt snickered, and that earned a frown from Jace. Mitch laughed and pointed down to Jace.
“You’re in trouble for messing with me so much. You better sit down before he makes you leave the room.”
“Hey, Dr. Knox, did you know that Mitch got a new tattoo a couple of days ago?” Colt hollered.
“He did?” That earned a solid scowl from his father when he glanced over at him. Mitch cocked his head back to Colt.
“Really? This is how you wanna play?”
“I wanna see!” Pretty much every one of his nieces’ and nephews’ voices rang in complete unison. His family was a straight-laced crew. He was the only one with body art. Mitch untangled himself from Cody who just grinned at him, and he leaned down to kiss those perfect lips as he rose.
He tugged his shirt up, letting the crew admire the artwork on his chest.
“I think that cross is cool,” his sister Lori said, the only adult to really come and examine him. “Is this one new? For those I love I will sacrifice. That’s so cool. Did it hurt?”
“Like a bitc…crazy.” He caught himself before he said the bad word out loud. That would be two strikes according to the look on his dad’s face.
“Have you seen enough?” He glanced down at the littlest nephew who must have been around three and half years old. The little guy’s big brown eyes bore a striking resemblance to his own, and when he smiled, he had the biggest dimples. This was the one everyone said reminded them of Mitch.
“I want that,” he said, pointing to Mitch’s chest. He bent at the knee and lowered to the floor to let the little one examine his chest all he wanted.
“Cody, how you feeling, Son?” Dr. Knox asked, changing the subject.
“I’m good, sir,” Cody answered.
“Such good manners,” Mitch’s mom cooed, making Mitch smile at her comment.
“Mini-Mitch, come sit by Pop-Pop before Mitch gets in trouble for showing you all that,” Matt called out. That was the one part of him that his dad didn’t like. His father wasn’t a tattoo guy. He never really said anything to Mitch about the tattoos. He just gave a look that let Mitch know he didn’t agree.
“Hey, Dad, did you get enough sausage this morning? I saw Colt in there hoarding some in his pockets,” Mitch remarked, standing after his nephew got bored with looking at the ink on his chest.
“What?” Jace gasped as he looked back at Colt.
“Yeah, Mom made some for you, Jace, and Colt ate your sausage, too,” Mitch quipped, stepping over the wrapping paper littering the path back to Cody.
“Man! That’s getting old. Jace, I did not eat any more than my share that was cooked for me. He’s messing with you. He’s still peeved because our wedding photo replaced his baby picture in the hall. Don’t listen to his lies,” Colt exclaimed, coming around the couch and taking a seat next to Jace. Mitch looked around and all eyes were on the couple now sitting on the floor.
“I’m not lying. I’m quite certain he ate your sausage this morning,” Mitch chuckled and dropped down in his spot on the couch.
“Really? You’re gonna do that here?” Colt huffed, his face turning red as he looked back at Mitch. His brothers actually laughed hard at that. His sisters and sisters-in-law clearly didn’t get the joke by the looks on their face. He knew better than to look over at his dad.
“We’ve got the Skype call, Mitch. Do I just answer it?” his mom asked from her place on the couch across the room.
“Yes, ma’am.” This time the freshly inked skin resisted the movement and prickled as he stood.
“Where’re you going?” Cody asked.
“Hang on, babe.” Mitch went to his laptop and connected the few steps that Aaron had arranged for him until he was able to use the remote control to click on the big screen TV. Cody’s entire family popped up on the screen. They had a huge family between the two of them.
Mitch watched as Kylie sat up front on her grandfather’s lap, her eyes scanning for Cody. He knew the moment she saw him because she lifted her new Princess Barbie, the one they had given her, with a giant smile on her face. Mitch found he wanted that same kind of relationship with the little mini-me nephew he’d bonded with since he’d been home.
“Knox family meet the Turner family.” Mitch waved his hands around. His dad knew them and stepped in to make introductions as he went for Cody who looked completely confused. Of course, Cody still wouldn’t get what was going on, which was for the best. He liked shock and awe. He extended a hand and pulled Cody up, purposefully stepping on Colt in the process. “Oops…my bad.”
He tugged Cody across the room, knocking wrapping paper out of the way as he went. Once he got to the center, the chatter came to an end as he turned and smiled. Cody’s red face said it all, and god, he loved that blush on his lover’s cheeks. His guy wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention ever and certainly not in Mitch’s family’s home. He stared at Cody, lost in his eyes. Suddenly his mouth was dry and his heart hammered in his chest. This was it, he’d been so excited and sure of himself, but now, the thought of forever with Cody humbled him. He wanted to make Cody the happiest man on earth.
“I’ve brought us all together today to share in this moment. I already asked your dad, he gave his half-assed approval,” Mitch teased as Cody’s dad started to chuckle. Neither would ever say how worried Mr. Turner was by what Mitch was doing. Mitch understood Cody’s father’s concern was well-founded simply because all of the ignorance surrounding gay marriage, especially in the South. But Mitch loved Cody, and this was the man he wanted to spend his forever with.
“Cody, this may seem a little rushed. I just didn’t know when everyone would be together again, and my feelings aren’t going to change no matter how much time passes. Since I first laid eyes on you, I knew I had to have you. That feeling has only grown stronger as I’ve gotten to know you. I love you and I know without a doubt you’re the only man for me.”
Mitch fished around in his pocket until he found what he was looking for.
“You’re supposed to have that ready,” Matt called out from across the room and was immediately shushed by all the females. He lowered to one knee and looked up at Cody who stared down at him with the most intense look he’d ever seen. Mitch got it, his heart pounded wildly in his chest, pumping the blood through his veins so loudly he swore he heard the roaring in his ears. He opened the box and lifted the ring, holding Cody’s gaze with his.
“Cody Turner, will you do me the honor of marrying me? Please. Make an honest man out of me.” Cody stood silently. He’d spent the better part of the last few months with the man. Cody was proud and strong, but he worried over their lifestyle like his father, even if he never said it out loud. He waited on baited breath for Cody’s answer. Cody’s brilliant blue eyes never strayed from his. His cowboy loved him, no question there; he saw the love reflected in their depths.
Silence filled the room, but Mitch wouldn’t have heard anything anyway. His heart, mind, and soul were connected only to this man who always took his time to respond to
life-changing events. So he continued giving Cody enough room to grasp the importance of the moment.
Mitch always pushed, Cody took things slower. They balanced each other.
After what felt like fifteen minutes, Cody finally nodded. That was all anyone needed. Cheers erupted from both living rooms. Mitch stood and pulled Cody to him, no resistance to this PDA in front of their families.
“Thank you! I love you,” Mitch proclaimed loudly.
“I love you,” Cody said, burying his face in the crook of Mitch’s shoulder. Mitch could feel Cody’s heart hammering in his chest. Cody lifted his face to kiss Mitch’s neck before he whispered in his ear, “You completely surprised me.”
“I wanted to,” Mitch whispered quietly. He closed his eyes and pulled Cody against him even tighter if that were possible. “I love you so much, Cody Turner.”
Four hours later
Aaron Stuart sat at one of his computer screens in his downtown studio apartment. He’d dodged the Christmas Eve festivities with the fam, feigning illness, since he really couldn’t stand his new sister-in-law. Crazy gold-digger was only after his brother’s money, and she’d scored big this time around. She was on her fourth marriage and this time got pregnant to secure her spot on his brother’s bank account. Interesting the things he could find out about people online.
His idiot brother was too in love to believe his findings, so he deserved what he got in the end.
Tyler Connors earlier email had bothered him all day long. Elliot Greyson had had a breakthrough moment in counseling yesterday. A wave of memory was back, but he didn’t identify Agent Langley as his abductor. Actually, he been more than adamant that he was one hundred percent convinced they didn’t have their man where his case was concerned.
Connors decided to wait and clue Mitch in after the Christmas holidays. The Marshals and the FBI had arranged for him to take some time off. He’d become too high profile after Cody’s attack. His face was recognizable so they kept him on the down-low. He’d probably get assigned to a desk on his return, bury him in piles of paperwork.
After that email, Aaron had sifted through the miles of files he had on the case. So they hadn’t gotten all their men. That meant the information was somewhere inside the data, hidden, just waiting to be found. He pulled up all the video coverage he had on Agent Langley. Aaron watched the in-custody interview between Agent Langley and his attorney. There was no audio, but he suspected they’d exchanged some valuable intel, whether directly or using code. He pushed that file out to his desktop. He’d investigate the attorney soon.
Next he re-watched the coverage of Cody’s accident, leading back to the coverage of Kreed’s brother’s funeral. He bounced his leg as he watched the hate spew from those supposed Christians’ mouths. As a gay man, it was hard to stomach. The leg twitch helped him concentrate and kept his anxious feelings manageable. He didn’t know how Mitch had kept so calm amidst all the hate. How had he not taken out his gun and shot them all? He would never understand how people who called themselves Christians could be so cruel. Aaron slowed the feed and concentrated on the picture in front of him, looking for anything that might help. That was when he saw him. Aaron almost missed the lawyer.
He rewound, slowed the video feed, and stilled the screen on the familiar face. Langley’s lawyer was part of the hate group picketing the Sinacola funeral. Why in hell hadn’t anyone caught this before now? Better question, how had he missed this? Damn.
Pulling up his phone, he went to call Mitch and stopped. He didn’t want to be the one to tell him there were now holes in the case. Instead, he tried Connors on his cell. The agent didn’t pick up, but he was traveling for the holidays. He then called Kreed. He hated bothering the guy during this particular Christmas. Mitch had told him he’d gone home for the first time in years. Maybe he would answer.
“Kreed Sinacola,” a deep voice barked over the Christmas music playing in the background. “Hang on, I can’t hear you. I’m going outside.” Seconds passed and the background noise quieted. “That’s better.”
“Kreed, it’s Aaron Stuart. I hate to bother you, but are you busy? This is important.”
“Hey, Aaron, nah, it’s fine. What’s up?”
“I was going over the footage on the Langley case, and I think I might have found something,” Aaron replied, his eyes back on the attorney as he captured a print screen and sent the photo to Kreed’s phone.
“Well, of course you have. Tomorrow’s Christmas, you know that right? This couldn’t wait twenty-four hours?” Kreed sarcastically replied.
“Probably not.”
Cody’s Mom’s Easy Honey Biscuits
Ingredients
2 ½ cups Bisquick
1/3 cup milk
½ cup honey
Directions
Heat oven to 400°. Lay out parchment paper on baking sheet. Combine ingredients in bowl and mix. Drop by tablespoon 2 inches apart on parchment paper. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden. Best served hot with melted butter.
Uncle Cody Saves the Day, 2012
Cody took the corner on the gravel road to his parents house a little faster than he should have but managed to navigate the truck easily enough, pressing on the gas as he came out of the turn. The truck bounced violently, shifting him around on the front seat as he tried to dodge the potholes littering the roadway and make up time. He was late to the Turner family Sunday lunch. His mom worked to prepare this dinner every week. She’d be upset for sure.
He stepped on the brake and the truck screeched to a stop as he threw the gearshift in park. He was halfway out the door before he got the keys out of the ignition. He’d jogged the few steps up the path to the house, when a soft cry caught his attention. He slowed down but kept walking to the front porch, searching for the source of the sound, but he couldn’t see anything.
Seconds before he hit the front door, he stopped, turned around, and went back down the front porch steps. That cry had to be one his nieces or nephews in trouble. If they had gone unnoticed, maybe his family hadn’t started eating yet.
Cody walked the length of the six trucks parked out front, and as he got to the last one, the cry grew a louder. His three-year-old niece Kylie sat on the rocks by her father’s truck with her head buried in her knees. Cody took the last few steps to her more slowly, trying to gauge what was wrong.
“Hey, little miss, why’re you crying like that?”
Kylie’s long blond hair was up in a ponytail, but that hadn’t stopped the silky strands from coming undone and falling in loose curls around her face. Her big blue eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, wet as a steady flow of tears ran down her pink cheeks. Her sad expression pleaded with him, and he had no idea what was wrong. Dropping to one knee, he scooted closer and rubbed her head to comfort her.
“Kylie, what happened, sweetie?” he asked softly. After a minute, she stuck out her little hand she’d been hiding between her legs. Cody looked down and immediately understood the reason for her tears. She had three ugly splinters imbedded deeply in her palm.
“Momma told me not to play in the wood pile, and Daddy’s gonna make it hurt to get ’em out!” The tears were back in full force now. Cody carefully took her palm and looked over the situation.
“Oh, that’s bad. I guess we need to get them out before that happens. Will you trust me?” he asked her, fear clear on her face. “I got pretty good at getting splinters out mainly because your dad used to get mine out when I was a boy. Put your head on your knees and close your eyes.”
Cody fished out his pocket knife when she finally did as he asked. He carefully and skillfully removed each small piece of wood and she never even squirmed. “Okay, I’m done.”
Kylie’s head popped up, and she looked down at her hand to survey his work. “You did it, Uncle Cody.” She launched herself in his arms. “Thank you! It didn’t hurt at all. You’re so much better at this than Daddy.”
He wrapped her in his arms and stood as his mom came out on the front porch, he
r hands resting on her hips. “There you are, Miss Kylie. It’s time to eat.”
“Don’t tell,” Kylie whispered in Cody’s ear.
“I won’t. Is that a skinned knee I saw, too?” he asked, carrying her to the front porch.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t hurt too much, not like my hand,” she explained.
“We need to clean it,” he said, heading toward the house.
“Will you do it? Momma puts that stinging stuff on there.” She whimpered, the worry back on her sweet face.
“Of course, I’ll do it,” he replied, using his T-shirt to dry her eyes. Kylie hugged him tight, and after he got her inside and cleaned up, she stayed right there in his arms through their Sunday meal.
Cody’s First Apartment
“Let me handle the negotiations,” Sheila, Cody’s sister, said as she parked her car in front of the downtown Austin high-rise Cody had been looking at for a while now. “Don’t act too interested. Keep it cool. Find fault with the place. Maybe we can get the rent lowered or free parking or something.”
“I called already. I think the price is set.” Cody eased out of the passenger side of Sheila’s little sports car. Every time he rode in this car he felt like a packed sardine. He swore his knees had gone numb from where they were pressed against his chest.
“Nothing’s set in stone,” she said confidently, her high heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she made her way to the door marked office. “Remember what I said.”
Nice Guys Collection With Added Bonus Material Page 69
