Travis's Gift, page 9
Libby laughed. “I figured as much.”
Twenty minutes later they’d finished lunch. “Let me help Libby with the dishes, and we’ll go get started with the trimming while she finishes painting,” Travis said.
“I have two plates, three glasses and two forks and knives. I think I can handle it,” Libby said chuckling.
“Well, yeah, but the kitchen…” Travis said.
“Everything’s already cleaned up except the skillet, and that won’t take a moment. Just have to put the leftovers away, then I’ll get back to painting. Ya’ll go ahead, I’ll be right behind you,” Libby said.
“Alright,” Travis said, before walking over to her and placing his fingers beneath her chin. He gently turned her face up to his. Then while she watched him wide-eyed, he pressed his lips to hers. “Thank you for lunch, Libs.”
Libby swallowed audibly. “You’re welcome,” she rasped out.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” Travis said, pecking her lips again before he and Roman left the house to go trim the lower hanging branches of the trees and to shape wherever needed.
When Travis stepped out onto the porch with Roman, he couldn’t help but notice Roman’s grin. “What?”
“Never seen you this happy,” Roman said. “I’m happy for you and Libby.”
“Thanks,” Travis said. “I still have a lot of work left to do, but at least she’s spending time with me. She let me kiss her, and she’s not scowling at me anymore. I think she can see I’m changing. I’m different than when I first got back.”
“I think she can see it, too. Anybody can,” Roman said. “And she cooked for you. Women don’t cook for you if they don’t care about you. She might have made you a sandwich, but she wouldn’t have cooked you a meal. It’s gonna be just fine,” Roman said.
“I think you’re right,” Travis said.
“Let’s go get those trees done,” Roman said, patting Travis on the back.
Not ten minutes later Libby walked out of Travis’s house and turned toward the work shop. She grinned when she realized for the first time in a long time, she was actually anticipating seeing him.
The first thing she did was paint the back of the arch as she’d told Travis she would. It only took about fifteen minutes to get it finished, white background with a green Christmas tree person complete with arms, legs, and a huge smiley face, and lettering in red inviting their customers back for next year’s fall pumpkin celebration. Then she moved on to the frames and began to paint them, too. Next she began cutting the spools of quarter inch red and green ribbon into ten inch pieces for use on the ornaments. She poked around the work shop a bit and found some old wicker baskets to put the ribbon in. Once that was done, she used another of the baskets to put the larger, two-inch-wide spools of ribbon in, along with the glue guns they’d bought, and the fake sprigs of holly and berries they’d decided to get. She used the last two baskets to hold the array of paints, glitter, sequins and paint brushes they’d bought for the ornaments.
By the time she was finished, the back of the arch was about dry, so she sealed the paint on it the same as she had the front to be sure it could stand up to the weather. She looked around herself and decided to straighten and organize the work shop since they’d managed to place things on every available surface while they’d been busy creating. Once done, she took another look around and satisfied that she’d done all she could for now, considered going out to help Travis and Roman with the trees and looking for boughs suitable for the wreath making. Her part of the preparation was basically on hold until it was time to put all the tables outside and lay out everything that was to go on them. Libby shrugged to herself. “I guess I could bake,” she said. “Yeah, I think I’ll get started on the baking,” she said, heading back to the house with a smile on her face. She was happy to be here, happy to be helping Travis, and very happy to be a part of all of his and Scotty's new plans. “Please let it work out,” she whispered quickly with a glance to the sky.
~~~
Travis and Roman worked until just before dark. They trimmed, shaped, and collected boughs for wreaths until they had a pile of boughs taller than Travis, and almost as tall as Roman. When they’d had enough of that for one day, they went into the workshop and found that Libby had finished the arch. So, they’d put that up and also attached the giant candy cane cutouts to the supports for the arch on either side of the entrance.
“What else do you have to do?” Roman asked, standing back and looking at their handiwork.
“Gotta decorate with Christmas lights, across the arch, and down each candy cane, across the top of the fence in both directions. And the house, too. Have to get all the decorations up on the house. Needs to look like Christmas blew up,” Travis said.
“Okay. I’ll be back tomorrow to help you with that,” Roman said.
“You sure? You don’t have anything you need to do with Riley?” Travis asked.
“Naw. We finished for the holidays. I'm trying to stay busy,” Roman answered. “Keep my mind off things.”
“You talked to her?” Travis asked.
Roman shook his head slowly. “I’ll try again on the way home.”
“She’ll answer at some point. Don’t give up. She must be dealing with something, ya know?” Travis said.
“Yeah,” Roman answered, not sounding totally convinced.
“Hey, seriously. Don’t give up. She called you first, remember? Ya’ll were talking pretty regular weren’t you?” Travis asked.
“Pretty much. Not every day, but a few times a week. Getting to know each other,” Roman answered.
“And…”
“She quit answering,” Roman said.
“And you haven’t heard from her again?” Travis asked.
“She did leave me a message saying that she would be out of pocket for a while, had some things happening she needed to take care of, but not to worry.”
“Well, there you go. Give her some space and she’ll let you know when she can talk again,” Travis said, hoping he was being encouraging.
“I’m trying,” Roman answered. “Think I’ll head on home. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay. Drive safe,” Travis said. He stood watching Roman get in his truck and drive away. He felt sorry for his friend. It wasn’t that long ago he was feeling just as lost as Roman was now. Travis turned his attention to his home. He could see the welcoming glow of the lights inside through the curtains in the windows. He started walking toward it. The whole house felt different knowing Libby was inside it. This was what he wanted every single day for the rest of his life. To know that his woman was inside their home, waiting for him, secure in the knowledge that home was their safe place.
He opened the door and stepped inside, almost moaning in pleasure at the smell of vanilla, cinnamon, and bananas from the Christmas cookies and banana bread and cupcakes that she’d been baking all afternoon. “Libby? I’m home, honey!”
Chapter 11
Maia stepped over the boxes, bags, wrapping paper, and bows strewn about the living room floor. She was in full Christmas wrap mode. There were only about three weeks until Christmas, and she already had the guys outside decorating the house. While they were doing that, and Sebastian was napping, she decided to get as much wrapped as she could.
“Baby, you wanna come take a look?” Riley said, after opening the door and sticking his head inside.
“Sure,” Maia answered, looking up from the big Paw Patrol Christmas wrapped box she’d just finished with. She got to her feet, then picked up the box, moving to the corner behind her with the others she’d already wrapped. Maia set the box down and turned back around to find Riley still exactly where he was, the door cracked open, his hand on the doorknob, leaning over with a goofy grin on his face as he stared at the place her ass had been before she turned to face him.
“Really?” she asked.
Riley’s eyes popped up to meet her sarcastic gaze. “I can’t help it, baby. I see you in those yoga pants, bending over like that, and it just does something to me,” he said, grinning at her.
“Yeah, I know what it does to you,” she said, walking toward him.
When she got within reach, he straightened up and reached for her wrist, pulling her in to a hug. Riley held her against him while he grinned down at her. “Yes, you do. And you like it when looking at what’s mine does that to me.”
Maia went up on her tiptoes at the same time he lowered his face so she could reach. She kissed him, then nipped his lower lip.
Riley’s Panther rumbled in pleasure and Riley lightly slapped her ass. “Mmm, you looking for trouble, woman,” he warned playfully on a growl.
“So are you,” she warned, slapping his ass in return.
“Can ya’ll possibly keep your hands off each other long enough to come look at the dang lights?” Lucas asked from outside.
“No. We can’t. And if we could, we wouldn’t, just because it irritates you so much,” Maia answered, walking past Riley and out onto the porch after grabbing up the baby monitor sitting on the side table right inside the front door.
Riley started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Maia asked, looking at him over her shoulder.
“That sounded so much like your daddy,” Riley answered, still laughing.
“Well, I am my Daddy’s daughter,” she teased as she sashayed off the porch and down into the yard to get a good look at the decorations.
Lucas stood halfway between Maia and Riley. He looked over at Riley who was taking his time joining his mate in their front yard to survey their lights and characters they were putting up. “Don’t that make you nervous? I mean just the teeniest little bit?”
“Naw, she loves me,” Riley answered, finally coming to a stop beside Maia.
“You know they say love is blind,” Lazarus snarked from his place up on the roof.
“Yes, the hell it is,” Lucas agreed a little too forcefully.
“I love it!” Maia said, looking up at the roof.
“It’s like you wanted it?” Riley asked.
“Exactly as I wanted. Ya’ll did a great job,” she said, looking up at the roof. There was now a blow up chimney on the roof complete with a Grinch in a Santa suit, and he was holding onto a Christmas tree that appeared to be half in, half out of the chimney.
“Cristie’s going to love it! The Grinch is her favorite,” Maia said, smiling happily.
“She’s going to be very excited,” Riley agreed.
Maia looked around. “Hey, where’s Roman?” she asked.
“He asked right after we got back if he could take the truck. I didn’t think to ask where he was going,” Lucas answered.
“Hmm. If he’s not back tonight, let me know,” Riley said. “Been worried about him lately since Talie’s gone radio silent.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s nearby. He said if he wasn’t home by the time somebody needed the truck, to call and he’d head on back right away,” Lucas said.
“Alright, at least it sounds like he’s still local,” Maia said.
“Oh, he’s not going anywhere. He loves it here, he’s just worried about Talie,” Lazarus said.
“Hopefully he’ll hear from her soon,” Riley said.
“You sure this is where you want it, Reigna?” Lazarus asked.
“I am,” Maia answered.
“Okay, I’m gonna secure it. It might never come down, but maybe we could add a flag for the fourth of July, and an Easter Bunny for Easter. We’ll figure it out,” Lazarus teased.
“I kinda like that idea,” Riley said.
“Ya’ll going to get everything up this afternoon?” Maia asked. “If you need to space it out…”
“No need, we can get it all done. And then we’re going to do the trailer park, too,” Lucas said, somberly.
“Thank you for that. I know Christmas lights aren’t a big deal to you, but for the kids to look out over the yard and see ya’ll across the street decorated, and the diner and gas station decorated, will make them smile,” Maia said. “And don’t forget we’re going tomorrow evening to cut down our tree and do whatever Travis has managed to set up at his place. And before anybody whines, we are ALL going!”
“You know, I think our Reigna kinda likes the decorations and the lights, too,” Lazarus said on a chuckle.
“Only a little,” Maia said haughtily with her little upturned nose in the air. Maia glanced down at her watch. “Oh! I have to go. Cristie is getting out of school shortly. You’ll listen for Sebastian?” she asked Riley.
“I will. Go get the girl!” Riley said, smacking her on the ass as she shoved the baby monitor at him and rushed back toward the house to get her keys.
“What is your fascination with my ass?!” she snapped at him.
“It’s mine! That’s the fascination,” Riley yelled, laughing.
Maia came out of the house a few minutes later with her purse and her keys. “You better watch it. I’ll give you an imprint of my ass for Christmas,” she threatened.
“Sounds like a perfect gift to me,” Riley answered, teasing his wife.
“I’m gonna hang it on the wall so everybody that visits can see it,” Maia said, pausing to peck his cheek as she rushed to her truck.
“Yeah,” Riley said, agreeing that it was a good idea. Then he realized everybody would see it. “Hey! That ain’t funny!” he yelled as she started to back out of her spot.
Maia nodded at him through the windshield as she laughed.
“Love you!” Riley shouted, and blew her a kiss.
Maia blew a kiss back at him then headed off down the drive that leads to the highway so she could be on time to pick up Cristie.
~~~
Travis rolled over and opened his eyes. He blinked twice, not believing what he saw. The sunlight was peeking through the curtains covering his bedroom windows. He sat up and looked around, then, the scent hit him. He rumbled low and appreciatively. Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg. All the wonderful scents that had gradually faded the night before were back again this morning, but with the added bonus of maple and bacon. That could only mean one thing. Libby was here early again this morning.
Travis reached for his prosthetic leg and strapped it on, before getting up and dressed. Once he was dressed to face the day, he opened his bedroom door and walked into the living room, his aim to head toward the kitchen, but he stopped in his tracks when he noticed a pillow on the sofa with his mother’s afghan folded on top of it. Hmpf — maybe Scotty spent the night on the sofa.
“Morning, sleepy head,” Libby called from the kitchen.
Travis glanced up and saw her watching him across the breakfast bar that separated the two rooms. Her hands were out of sight below the surface of the bar, but it was obvious she was busy as she kept looking down at her hands.
“Morning,” Travis answered. “Sorry I overslept.”
“Don’t give it another thought. I know how much trouble you have sleeping, so when the sun came up and you weren’t, I decided to let you sleep and take advantage of the morning to make some more Christmas cookies,” Libby explained.
“What time did you get here,” Travis asked.
“Well, see, that’s the thing. Last night when I left?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“I got about fifteen minutes away, rethought my decision to drive all the way home, and turned right around and came back. Scotty let me back in, and I opened the door to your bedroom to let you know, but you were already snoring. Scotty said the falling asleep isn’t hard for you, it’s the staying asleep. I didn’t want to wake you while you were able to sleep at all, so, surprise! Here I am,” she said, doing a quirky little in place dance.
“You slept on the sofa?” he asked.
“I did. Hope you don’t mind,” she said, pausing as her hands came up and he realized she was decorating cookies.
Travis smiled humbly, then walked around the breakfast bar and into the kitchen. He walked slowly, determinedly, directly to where Libby stood, watching him approach her. He came to a stop right beside her, so close she could feel him breathing, then he gently reached out and took her face in his hands while he kissed her.
Libby stayed where she was, an offset spatula in one hand and a couple of sugar pearls in the other, her face turned toward him while he kissed her. When finally he released her lips, her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself breathless and lightheaded.
“Why would I mind? You belong here, you always have. You are welcome to spend the night any time you want. I have only one condition,” Travis said, his voice grumbly and seductive.
“What’s that?” she asked shakily.
“You don’t sleep on the sofa. You don’t sleep any damn where but with me, in my bed, where you’re supposed to be.”
Libby took an uneasy breath. “But…”
“No buts. If all you want is sleep, that’s all that will happen, but you will be sleeping beside me. Period, if you’re under this roof,” Travis said.
Libby nodded. “Okay,” she agreed.
“Good,” Travis answered. “Now. Do I smell bacon, too?” he asked, stealing one of her cookies.
Libby nodded. “Look,” she said, proudly, walking over to the oven and pulling it open before using a potholder to remove a cookie sheet from it.
“What have you done?” Travis asked, walking closer to her with his eyes glued to the cookie sheet in her hand.
“Maple butter cream frosted donuts with broken pieces of crunchy bacon on top,” she said, holding the pan out so he could choose.
Travis’s eyes widened and he lifted one of the maple bacon donuts she offered and bit into it. Travis chewed, then shoved the rest of it into his mouth and took two more, which had Libby laughing happily.
“You eat yet?” he asked, as he finished off another one of the donuts.
“Yes, so did Scotty. I let him take my jeep again so you could sleep in,” Libby answered.
