Gifted Connections 4

“Maybe, maybe not.” I smile slyly.

He pulled out the instrument and then looked confused for a moment before he read the note I had placed in the bottom. He gave me a broad smile, and I knew he really enjoyed his gift.

“Blake,” Drake said reverently. “How? When?” He breathed in awe as he traced the cover of his cookbook. In his book, I had placed a note saying another gift was waiting for him under his bed. I had purchased that French maid outfit, and it now laid gift wrapped under his bed.

I laughed. “I had a little help and sent it to a printing company to have it printed all out.”

“She spent weeks typing out your recipes,” Remy stated with a smile.

“This is amazing,” Drake shook his head and smiled as he flipped through the pages. I knew he found his note when I saw another heated look cross his eyes before he looked up at me with a wink.

“How did you get these?” Jaxson interrupted.

I shrugged. “I have connections,” I stated. We had two tickets to his favorite team to watch them in the playoffs. I had already booked the hotel for the event.

I really didn’t have connections. It was Pops who helped me secure the tickets. He hadn’t even told Jaxson that his team’s owner was currently sending their grandchild to Knightstown.

“I am so stoked! I can wear my new jersey!” He hopped up and down. I guess he was done being testy this morning.

“I’ve always wanted to drive a real race car. How did you know!” Troy exclaimed as he opened his gift.

“Maybe it was your Halloween costume of a race car driver three years in a row,” Remy mocked as he opened his backpack.

Troy and Remy had to wait for warmer weather to cash in their gifts. Remy and I were going to go hiking and camping, just the two of us. Troy and I could go to the track two hours away from here once NASCAR was running here again. That also involved an overnight stay, even though it could be done as a day trip.

“What’s this?” Noah asked in confusion, holding up the note I had included in his gift of a Bed and Breakfast to a popular resort town a few hours away from here.

“Noah,” I tried to warn him while he read the note. His eyes widened before a small smile spread across his lips.

“When have you been practicing to pole dance and where is the pole?” he asked with an excited smile.

I groaned as I covered my eyes.

“I really don’t think she wanted the rest of us to know,” Remy covered his mouth but not before I saw the grin on his face. “Although, I wouldn’t mind a demonstration as well.”

“No,” I squeaked out as Noah’s mouth opened in surprise. “He danced for me before, and I was just going to reciprocate the favor.”

“Sorry, Blake,” he bit his lip as he looked at me with intensity.

The guys laughed at me, and I ducked my head, knowing my cheeks had grown warmer.

“This has been one of my best Christmases ever,” I said as I cuddled up next to Jaxson.

Everyone else had come over, and we finished opening our presents. I had a pile of them now laying on my bed. I thought the children had gotten spoiled, but I was just as spoiled. Truth be told, we all were.

Micah and Kade were trying to figure out how to set up their drones with cameras mounted to them with the help of Remy. Drake, Sierra, and Megan had gone into the kitchen to make our lunch/dinner.

Alex was out with Noah delivering the leftover cookies. Ella was sitting behind her new keyboard as Will patiently helped her. Jace and Gavin were playing along on their new violin and guitar. Jemmy and Troy were playing with her new digital cameras.

“Mine too,” Jaxson sighed as he wrapped me in his arms. “I can’t wait until we can go to the game and spend the night in the hotel by ourselves.”

“Me, too,” I agreed.

I didn’t want to worry anyone, but I was starting to feel the numbness in my limbs again. My bones were aching, and I felt fatigued.

“Come to play with us, Blake?” Gavin smiled as he played his guitar.

“Not right now.” I feigned a smile as I closed my eyes against Jaxson. “Maybe in a little bit.”