Your Christmas Love (The Bennett Family 10)

“How come?”

“I can’t explain. She’s just as exuberant about everything as you are.”

“Everyone’s always praising your parents. I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot by not meeting them.”

“They’re great people. Hard workers. They have respect and understanding for everyone.”

“Don’t they miss the stores?”

He barked out a laugh. “They love the stores, but they like their retirement even more. They didn’t take vacations very often before. Now they’re making up for that.”

“Sounds like they’re enjoying themselves.”

“They are.”

“Did your mom like the chocolate?”

“Loved it. I’ll buy two boxes tomorrow for dinner.”

“Why? What did you do?”

“Who said I did anything?”

“Aha. So you’re just buying her sweets for no reason at all?”

“Is that illegal?”

“No, just unexpected.”

“Why? Doesn?

?t fit with the dictator you’ve painted me to be? I’m sorry... grouchy, right? Unless you’ve upgraded me again?”

My heart was beating out of my chest. There was more to him than the brilliant man I was learning a lot from. I was curious to know more, and he didn’t seem opposed to opening up. “I’ll reconsider... depending on how today goes.”

“So, I’m on probation right now?”

“You could say that.”

“Let me get this straight. I offer to paint your walls, and I’m still on probation?”

“You could have an ulterior motive.”

His eyes flashed. Oh my God, he did have one. I was about to ask what it was, then decided not to. Sometimes ignorance was bliss.

Except now that was all I could think about. Tearing my gaze away, I focused on the portion of the wall I was currently sanding, and then the next one. Before long, I got lost in the rhythmic task. I was still talking Winston’s ear off.

“Can’t believe you’re willingly spending your Saturday doing this.”

“Sounds like it should earn me points.” I jumped, because his voice sounded much nearer than I’d expected. Somehow, I was right next to him again. How had I ended up here? It was as if I was gravitating to him without even realizing it.

I smiled to myself. “It is.”

“Anyway, it’s a reward for me.”

“How?” I asked, perplexed.

“As you said... ulterior motive.”