Reyah Granger never thought that she would dread her favorite month of December because Christmas in Vermont was always the best.
Last month she lost her dad and nothing has been the same sense.
Trying to help her mom through this train wreck was h...
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Once we were done eating I helped Reyah clean up the kitchen and put the rest of the food away.
I blew out the candle and went over to the window to look out.
"Holy shit! The snow has really come down Reyah."
She walks over and looks out. "Looks like you will be staying the night."
"Candlelight dinner and then sleeping in the same bed." I laughed.
"Hold up you aren't sleeping with me." She said.
"I know that I was just picking. Where do you want me to sleep?"
"You can sleep in the den on the couch. It's very comfortable and I think we have some extra toothbrushes and feel free to take a shower if you wish."
"Thanks I will take you up on that if you will show me where to go. Want to shower with me?"
"Madden you are something else. If I would have said yes what would you of done?"
"Stripped down naked." I laugh.
"You are something else. Follow me to the bathroom and I'll get you a towel and then I'll go upstairs and look for you something to put on."
"Thanks, I appreciate that Reyah."
"Oh and here is a new toothbrush." She said handing it to me.
I stripped down and got in the shower and it was weird but I wish she would have taken me up on my offer and showered with me.
Just as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around me she knocked on the door.
"You can come in Reyah."
"Are you decent?"
"As much as I can be." I laughed.
She opened the door and I was standing there with the towel wrapped low on my waist.
Her eyes were roaming all over me and I loved it. Maybe these abs will come in handy for something.
"Like what you see?"
"Who knew you had a six-pack under your clothes." She smirked.
I took the clothing from her and she stepped back out. When I made it out to the couch she was in the kitchen doing something.
She walked back to the den with two cups in her hand. "Hot chocolate?"
"Sure sounds good." I sit down on the couch and moved the pillows out of the way so she could sit.
She sits sideways on the couch facing me with her knees up near her face. The light shining through the window was glowing on her face and she was beautiful.
"So we have another weekend of lowering adoption fees what will you do after?"
"I'm not sure. It will be close to Christmas and I guess we will see how many come in or end up being surrendered."
"That's so sad Madden that people get these animals for Christmas and then dump them out."
"You see it happen all the time Reyah."
"I really hate that." She said taking a sip of her cocoa.
"So are you going to continue to help? I will miss you are the shelter if you don't."
She smiled over at me. "I mean I guess I can and I need to see Spooky."
"Are we going to share custody of him?" I laughed.
"We may just have to do that Madden." She smiled taking another drink of her cocoa.
I sipped on mine. "That snow is really coming down."
"Yeah fast. We will have to dig our way out in the morning."
"I hope I'm not putting you guys out by staying here. I could have walked home."
"Are you silly? You're fine you aren't hurting anything by sleeping on the couch. Mom would be upset if you did leave." She yawns.
"Are you tired?"
"A little bit. How about you?"
"Yeah, I guess I need to go to sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow. We are building a few new kennels."
"Oh, you are?"
"Yeah, Pat is supposed to help me. Since your dad gave so much of a donation I have extra money to build a few more."
"Madden I would be glad to donate whenever you need it."
"Hell no! I don't want you thinking I want your money is the only reason I want you around. I'm, not Micah."
"Oh, I know your not Micah, or I would have had something on my leg after dinner." She laughed.
"I think you want something on your leg Reyah." I laughed.
"Maybe another time." She smirked.
"So what do you want for Christmas Reyah?"
"Honestly just to get through it. It's the first one without my dad and I know it's going to be difficult."
"Yeah, it will be difficult," I said.
"Mom will cook to stay busy. Maybe you can come over along with Brynn and Joey and take her mind off of it a little bit."
"I can do that after I have dinner with my parents." I laugh.
"So what do you want for Christmas Madden?"
"Two things but maybe one will come true."
"Well, what are they Madden?"
"Umm one is to get most of the animals adopted out and start fresh for the new year."
"Well, maybe we can make that happen. What's the other one?"
"A Christmas Kiss from you Reyah."
"Wow. I don't know what to say."
"Just say yes," I said reaching out touching her bare leg.
"What's happening between us Madden?"
"I'm not sure, to be honest, but I like being around you and I think about you when you're not around."
"I like being around you as well." She smiles.
I gently rub my fingers up and down her leg and she doesn't tell me to stop. It feels good to touch her.
"I'll think about it and you may just get your Christmas wish Madden."
"Come through for me Santa." I laugh.
"Well, I better get to bed since we have to get up early ad try to get out of here."
I followed her to the kitchen and put the dishes in the dishwasher.
"Goodnight Reyah."
"Goodnight Madden." She smiles before running up the steps.
