I smiled at Doc. A real smile this time, not one of my think-positive faces. “You have given my kids the tools to stay alive in a world full of monsters. How could I be upset about a gift like that?”
“Mom!” Addy called, running toward me.
I leaned closer to Doc. “I’m going to rock your world tonight, Candy Cane.”
His smile matched mine. “I have a sprig of mistletoe with your name on it.”
Addy reached us, her cheeks pink, her grin broad. “How long have you been standing here?”
I pulled her in for a quick hug. “Long enough to see you and your brother kicking some serious snowman butt.” Taking her hand, I led her over to Layne, who was breathing heavy, steam rising in puffs from his mouth. “You are both amazing! Where did you learn all of these killer moves?”
“Doc taught us,” Layne said.
“We wanted to surprise you with what we’ve learned,” Addy added.
“Trust me, I’m completely flabber-boozled.” I picked up one of my favorite fast-pitch bats from my softball days, hefting it back and forth in my hands. The length and balance were made for increased swing speed and improved control. I’d hit more home runs than I could remember with this puppy. “How about it, you two? Feel like taking on your ol’ ma to save the kingdom from doom?”
“Okay!” Addy grabbed her bat. “But you need to be ready for us, because Doc’s a good teacher.”
“We’ll try to take it easy on you.” Layne raised his trident, taking a defensive position.
I gripped the bat. “Bring it, buddy.”
By the time we had tired from all of the swinging and dodging and laughing, I’d been slain multiple times by each of my kids. I was lying in the snow after yet another “deathblow” by Layne’s trident when my mom yelled from the front porch that she had hot cocoa waiting.
Doc came over to help me up as the kids raced around to the front of the house. He brushed the snow off of me. “You fought bravely, but your children showed no mercy.”
I laughed. “You trained them well.”
He grabbed my bat from the snow at my feet. “They’re naturals. After having seen you in action multiple times, I’m not surprised.”
I stepped closer, lifting my face to his. “You interested in seeing me in action, too?”
He bent lower, his lips hovering over mine. “Always.”
“Good.” I went up on my toes, meeting his lips. At the same time, I slid a handful of snow under his coat and shirt.
His eyes widened as the ice hit his skin, his stomach tightening as he gasped. Before he could pull away, I shoved him backward, catching the back of his ankle with my toe. He fell flat on his back in the snow.
Leaning over him, I teased, “How do you like that action, big boy?”
He sat upright. “You’ll pay for that, Vixen.”
His hand shot out toward my leg, but I dodged out of reach. Scrambling to his feet, he chased after me as I zigzagged through the snow.
I’d made it to the front porch by the time he caught me and lifted me over his shoulder. I squealed and struggled as he carried me to the yard where he plopped me down on my back and straddled my hips.
He scooped up a handful of snow. “Now, where should I put this?”
“Don’t do it, mon amour,” I said between giggles. “You love me, remember?”
“Don’t even try that Morticia Addams trick with me. She loved pain.”
Shoot. That was true. “How about we make a deal?”
“You’ve wheeled and dealed enough today, sweetheart.”
I’d told Doc the whole ugly story of what had happened in Susan’s room after I returned topside. He wasn’t thrilled about my agreement to help her snag Rex if she untangled me from the Hooch mess, wondering how that would play out with the kids in the future. Truth be told, I seriously doubted Susan would fix the mess she’d made, so the Rex deal was most likely a moot point.
“What if I offer to give you my body tonight?” I asked.
“I was going to take it anyway.”
I laughed. “Cocky. Nice. I like that.”
“Yes, you will.” He grabbed the bottom of my shirt. “Now, about this snow.”
I opened my mouth to beg him not to do it, but before I could get a word out, Natalie came flying in from the side. She tackled Doc, driving him into the snow.
“Grab some snow, Vi!” she shouted, trying to hold him down with Addy’s assistance.
“Pile up!” Addy yelled and threw herself on top of Doc’s chest. The three of us pinned him long enough to stuff a couple more handfuls of snow under his shirt before my dad came out and threatened to help Doc if we didn’t stop.
“You’re lucky my dad came to your rescue,” I teased Doc, helping him to his feet.
He shook out his shirt, laughing under his breath still. He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss. “You’re right. I’m very lucky.”
We headed inside to find all sorts of treats waiting for us in the kitchen, including hot buttered rum along with the cocoa.
After my hands and nose finally warmed up, I heard the sound of “Jingle Bells” coming from the living room.
“Is that a harmonica?” I asked my mom, who’d just breezed into the room with a pile of empty plates.
“Yes. Your friend Cornelius agreed to play some Christmas songs on it for the kids. He told Layne it belonged to his grandmother.” She set the plates next to the sink. “He explained that she used the harmonica to soothe the spirits when they were feeling particularly ornery.” She started back toward the living room but then stopped and aimed a frown in my direction. “That man is an odd duck, Violet.”
Yeah, he was. I smiled. But so was I.
I left Doc and the others
