Page 33 of Enduring Christmas

"I know that. Do you want everybody to hear us?" She needed to get him out of here. The last thing she wanted was for Luke to arrive and see a half-dressed cowboy hanging on to her.

"Let's get out here. We can catch up over a couple of beers."

"No. No. No."

"Why not? I plan on being in town for a few days. Did you know this town doesn't have a hotel or a bed and breakfast? Zilch. I Yelped™ it. Guess I'll have to crash at your place."

"Ramsey, you cannot crash at my place. I have a boyfriend."

"I have earplugs. Where's your Christmas spirit?"

"In short supply," she said gesturing to the door.

"You would not throw family out on the street on Christmas Eve."

That got everybody's attention. A few onlookers shook their heads. Xenobia smiled and said, "Mind your business," while leading Ramsey toward the door.

"Okay," she hissed, looking back over her shoulder, "you can stay."

"Great."

She tugged on his arm. "Let's go, now." She insisted, trying to speed him along.

"Naw, I'd rather get to know the good folks of Endurance. Maybe, I'll like it here and hang around awhile."

"Nope," she said immediately, "that's a terrible idea."

"I don't think so, Xenobia. You look great, little sister. The move out west was a good one for you."

"Thanks, Ramsey," she said, sincerity flavoring her words.

All of a sudden, she was up off her feet. What was it with men picking her up? He spun her around.

"I'm so proud of you. Pulling your shit together, moving on after losing Rook. He was my kid brother. I know he made a lot of mistakes. He wasn't perfect, but I miss him."

"I know you do," Xenobia said giving his shoulder a squeeze. "Put me down," she said through clenched teeth. "People are watching."

"Maybe some of your happiness will rub off on me," he continued, ignoring her request and placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Okay, okay," she said patting his chest. "Down now."

Before he could, Ramsey stumbled forward, then bellowed as if wounded.

"Bad Santa," an angry Shiloh Cole said, her hands on her red denim-covered hips. "Miss Xenobia belongs to me and my daddy. She's our girlfriend. My daddy is the only boy who gets to kiss us."

On all that is holy. "Shiloh, wait a minute," Xenobia said cautiously. Just then the bell above the door jingled and Luke walked in. Beard trimmed, hair still damp, Xenobia temporarily lost the ability to speak. He truly did take her breath away. In that moment, she knew. Xenobia loved Luke.

"No, I saw Santa Claus kissing you and I'm going to tell my daddy."

And then she took off running in the opposite direction disappearing in the crowd.

"So, you really do have a boyfriend?"

"Yes, Ramsey. That's what I've been trying to tell you." A very grumpy, already grinch boyfriend, who would hit the roof when his daughter told him about “ the bad Santa”. Xenobia kept an eye on Shiloh, watching until the little pumpkin reached her father. She'd explain to Luke who Ramsey was as soon as she could explain her feelings to Ramsey.

"Sorry," he said, studying her. "You're serious about this guy? I mean, are you really moving on?"

His expression shifted from jovial to contemplative.