Page 90 of One Winter Knight
Carlos kissed my forehead, then left. For a while I just leaned against Saoirse, drinking my coffee.
“We should go downstairs,” Saoirse said finally. She was already in jeans and a sweater, a really soft one.
Did I really need to wear clothes? I looked at my holiday jammies. No. I was fine. Grabbing the presents, I went downstairs.
Hale was still passed out on the couch, only his hat was over his face. I put my presents under the tree. The dolls were now amongthe branches?
“You’re really pensive, Mo Stóirín.” Saoirse’s arms wrapped around me.
“The dolls movedagain.” Shit. We were in a villa at a ski resort. Had I seen this movie?
“Pretty sure it was one of the guys.” Her lips pressed to my temple.
I looked over and saw Carlos waking up Hale.
“Merry Christmas.” Dusty came over in jeans and a Christmas sweater. I realized that he and Carlosmatched.
“Did someone make your sweaters?” I asked. So stinking cute.
He nodded. “One of my moms. Food’s ready.”
I sat down next to Saoirse at the table. Looking out the glass doors, I saw that snow was still coming down, the patio covered in white.
Hale followed my gaze. “Yes, let’s have a nice breakfast then hit the slopes.”
“You’re going to ski in the snow?” I shot him a look.No thank you.
“It’s pretty light, and supposed to stop soon.” Hale checked his phone. “Besides, we’re teaching you to snowboard today.”
“I suppose.” Given the time it was now, and when our reservations for dinner were, I could venture out for a little bit.
Dusty and Carlos busily put food on the table.
“Fucking shit, this is the breakfast I need. Are those tamales?” Hale asked as Carlos set a platter of something on the table.
“My mom made them,” Carlos stated. “We have chicken, pork, beef, and cheese with poblano peppers. Six of each.”
“I can’t believe your mom let you take two dozen tamales.” Dusty put a pan of enchiladas on the table. “One of my moms made these. They’re chicken.”
Carlos looked bashful. “Mamá told me to only take a dozen, but with five of us, is that really enough? I can eat six no problem, evenwith everything else.”
“Oooh, you’re gonna be in trouble,” Dusty sang, setting down beans, sprinkled with some sort of white cheese and green stuff.
“Am I?” Carlos’ look went worried.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s your mom,” I assured. In front of me was rice that looked like it had tomatoes, onions, and green stuff in it.
“Everything looks beautiful,” Saoirse said as Carlos set a big bowl of soup on the table.
Dusty refilled everyone’s coffee. We also had water and juice. The table was set, and flowers were in the center.
“I can’t wait.” Pulling Carlos to me, I kissed him as he sat down next to me. He was at one end of the table.
“Go ahead and start eating.” Dusty sat at the other end of the table–next to Saoirse. Hale was across from me.
“Wait, we have to open our Christmas crackers first,” Saoirse said.
I realized she’d placed festive red and green paper poppers at each place setting.
