Page 40 of Secret Santa
Stopping just under the tree, he pulled her into his arms.
“This is good?” He needed to hear it from her. Wanted to make sure she wasn’t having second thoughts about him. It had been days since they’d been together. Too many days.
Kara smiled and he relaxed. “Yes, this is good.” She lifted onto her toes and kissed him. “Which surprises me, and I think surprises you too.”
He shrugged. “I had a clue it would be.”
She nudged his shoulder, then her smile slipped a little as she looked over her shoulder. “There’s a truck outside of your place.” She motioned.
He glanced over and groaned. “Shit.” He dropped his arms and started heading towards his truck at top speed while he pulled out his phone to call Daryl.
Kara was on his heels. “What can I do?” she asked just as Daryl picked up.
“It’s okay, boss,” Daryl said. “It’s Bucky.”
“I’ll be there soon.” He hung up. “It’s Bucky. Not my uncle.” His pace slowed.
“What do you need?” she asked when they reached his truck.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her until they both relaxed into one another. “You,” he answered. “Just you.”
“Tomorrow at the Firehouse. I’ll plan on you driving me home,” she said with a smile, then she pushed him towards his truck.
“Kara?” he said, getting in the truck.
“Yeah?”
“I plan on waking up with you the following morning.” When she nodded, he shut the door and headed back to his place.
Sure enough, Bucky was standing on his front porch when he parked next to the new truck.
Bucky—no one knew or remembered what the man’s last name was… maybe Buckywashis last name—was a Cedar staple. He was one of the largest business owners in the area, which earned him instant respect.
However, since Bucky was close to Nick’s uncle, he was always cautious around the man. Nick and his father had always traveled to Casper for any of their vehicle needs.
“Nice day,” Bucky said when Nick stopped beside him.
“Sure is,” Nick answered and then motioned to the truck. “Looks like you changed your mind about working with my uncle.”
Bucky nodded and then slapped Nick’s shoulder. “It’s your problem now.”
“Mine?” Nick shook his head as Bucky started walking towards another waiting truck. “I never signed a loan with you.”
Bucky stopped and looked at him. “Your ranch was put up as collateral for this truck and the other two vehicles. When I get them back from Wilbert, they’ll be delivered here. My office will be in contact about payments—”
“Like hell,” Nick broke in as he pulled out his phone and called his lawyer. “Stephen, I’ve got Bucky here trying to unload those three vehicles my uncle tried to purchase with the fake deed.”
“What?” Stephen answered, then groaned. “Shit. I’ll be right over. Don’t say or sign anything.”
When Stephen showed up half an hour later, Bucky was fuming. Nick had sat down on the porch after telling the man he was not taking possession of anything and waited without a word while Bucky paced and cursed.
“Someone’s gonna pay for these,” Bucky shouted at Stephen. “I special ordered these all the way from Denver for Wilbert.”
“And Wilbert is currently sitting in the county jail for fraud.”
“Wait,” Nick broke in. “If you special ordered these and my uncle took possession of them the day after my father’s funeral… When did he order these?”
Bucky frowned. “The beginning of November.”
