Embracing the Quiet Night: A Missoula Smokejumper's Christmas (Missoula Smokejumpers Book 1)
Page 10
Dawson closed the distance, a smile on his face. “Merry Christmas! A little bird told me that you guys were collecting for a family desperately in need. I convinced some folks in my home town to divvy out a few of their presents. Some food. I hope that might help.”
Stoker could see Garcia’s face as his friend pointed to the back of the open truck. Both he and Jessica walked several steps, until they were able to see. “What did you do?” The entire back was full of boxes.
“Just had a few friends who owed me some favors. I told them that some magic was occurring in Missoula.” Grinning, he nodded to Jessica.
“My angel,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “This is a special time for you.”
“My little boy was saved on Christmas Eve so, yes, the best time,” Dawson said. “Congratulations on the new baby.”
Easing back, Jessica blinked several times. “How did you know?”
Dawson grinned. “My wife. She had the same glow.”
Stoker shook his head, goose bumps popping along every inch of skin.
“What are we missing?” Landen asked as he walked toward them.
“They get all sappy like this. You know that,” Boone said then grinned.
“Come on, guys. We have some things to do,” Antonio suggested as he nodded toward the house.
“Somebody grab the tree,” Stoker instructed.
“I have it,” Cooper grinned as he walked closer, dragging the tree behind him.
Taking Jessica’s hand, he wiped away his tears as the group walked across the street. He stood at the front door, a lump in his throat, until he was nudged by Riker. “I’m going.” Issuing three hard knocks, he stood directly in front of the door, blocking the view.
When the door was opened, a face peered out then the eyes registered recognition. “Mr. Hansen. Right?”
“Stoker. Please. Merry Christmas. I know this isn’t a great day, but we have something for you, well, for Joey really.” Stoker heard the strangled sound in his voice.
“Son, wait. I have your change first. I told you I would pay you back.” Mr. Michaels shaking hand slipped into his back pocket.
“Mr. Michaels. Don’t. I wasn’t completely honest with you.” Stoker swallowed hard. He stepped away, his nerves ragged.
“What do you mean?” Mr. Michaels looked over his shoulder, narrowing his eyes.
“Daddy! I want to open presents.”
The sound of the little voice made Stoker reach back for Jessica. He could tell she was crying.
“In a minute, Joey. Okay?” Mr. Michaels looked toward them, tears in his eyes. “He’s having a very good day today.”
Stoker nodded and pulled out the envelope from his pocket. “I opened the lot for you so that I could make certain you had a nice Christmas. My team worked with me this season to keep the lot open. This is for you.” The last words almost inaudible, he took a giant stride backwards and wrapped his arm around Jessica, willing the tears away.
Mr. Michaels looked at each man, then at the truck and the various boxes lying on his front lawn. He exhaled as he opened the envelope.
“Daddy! Presents. Can I go out and see? Please?”
Mr. Michaels stood shaking.
“I’ll take him. If that’s okay,” Boone said as he held out his hand.
“Get your coat, Joey. Then you can go with the nice firefighter,” Mr. Michaels managed. “I don’t understand. Why did you do this?”
“Because we care. The whole town has been a part of this. They heard about Joey and wanted to give back, to your family and to your little boy’s care,” Antonio said as he inched besides Stoker.
Stoker held his breath and his eyes were drawn to a little boy, his sweet smile, his almost gray complexion, but eyes of a wondrous child at Christmas.
“Oh!” Mr. Michaels exclaimed as he fell against the door, tears running down his face.
“Daddy. Are you okay?” Jumping up and down, Joey shuffled into his coat.
“Come on, little fella. Santa couldn’t put everything inside this year,” Boone said as he crouched down.
“Son, I’m just fine. I’m happy.” He looked up at Stoker, mouthing ‘thank you’.
“We have toys and food. A tractor trailer load and much more,” Jessica said as she reached out, touching the man’s arms.
“Please come inside. Please. Martha. We have company.” Mr. Michaels walked outside, hugging every man, Stoker last. As he clung onto Stoker, the bear hug tight, he whispered, “You are an angel. You have no idea what this will do for my little boy.”
“I think I do, sir. You have no idea what you’ve done for my family. Merry Christmas.”
As the others walked inside, carrying boxes, baskets of food and wrapped presents, their voices filled with laughter, Stoker hung back, turning away as the tears fell.
Jessica slid her arms around his waist. “I love you.”
“I love you, baby. My two babies.” He touched her stomach and smiled.
“Just out of curiosity. How much was the check?”
“Almost forty thousand dollars.”
“From selling trees? I’m in the wrong business,” she teased.
He looked up at the sky, groaning when he heard his cell phone ringing. “You know, there is a Santa Claus.”
“You do look hot in red.” Blowing him a kiss, she took a step back.
“Hansen.”
“I tried Jessica’s phone first. There is some band here ready to set up. They said some elf sent them to play a concert for free because of some CD release party. Everything is paid for? Would that be our lovely Jessica Dunn?” Shannon laughed.
“A band, huh? Setting up at Ziggy’s. A CD release party that I wasn’t told about. I might know the naughty elf responsible. We’ll be there in a little while. I have some things to take care of.” Stoker slipped his phone into his pocket and walked toward her. She’d heard every word. “I can tell by your red face and impish look that you forgot to tell me something.”
“I might have. My second present. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, baby. Daddy.”
Stoker smiled hearing the words. He was going to be a father, something he never believed possible. As he pulled her in for a kiss, he could swear he heard bells jingling in the sky.
“Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas!”
The End
Other Titles by Piper Stone
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Submissive For Hire
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Honor and Obey, Vol. One
Dirty Little Secrets Series
His Demands - Book One
His Hidden Girl - Book Two
His Judgment - Book Three
Power Exchange Series
Becoming - Book One
Rescue Me Series
Maverick -Book One
Shadow - Book Two
Missoula Smokejumpers Series
Fire at the River’s Edge, Prequel
Ignite, Book One
Burn, Book Two
Embracing the Quiet Night
Anthologies
Hero Undercover
Piper Stone
Piper Stone writes in several genres including thrillers, erotic romance, dark erotic, Domestic Discipline, spanking, Domination and submission and traditional romance. She has a love of the non-traditional, preferring to create worlds that defy the imagination. Wine and sous vide cooking are only second to her love of golden retrievers and you might find all three nestled in the pages of a book or two.
She has several releases from Blushing Books including the upcoming books Shadow – Maverick, and the Fire Devil series.
She will also have several releases with Bethany’s Woodshed in the upcoming months.
Dark + Dangerous + Delicious = D3
Literary Emotions Unleashed…
Connect with Piper Stone:
darkdangerousdelicious.wordpress.com
piperstonecreations@gmail.com
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