Biting the Christmas Biscuit (3 page)

Carmondy picked up a cookie, took a single bite, and then replaced it on the plate. Alec smiled as she washed the cookie down by gulping the contents of a short, cobalt blue glass, and then placed it back on the table.

“You really go all out, huh?”

“You have no idea,” she said as she switched off the lamp. “I’m lactose intolerant.” They chuckled softly and walked into the hall together. They lingered by the stairs, not knowing what else to say to each other.

“I’d better get back to bed before Eli wakes up without me,” he said.

She nodded. “See you in a couple of hours,” she whispered as she began to climb the steps. “You haven’t seen insanity until you’ve experienced a Tucker Christmas morning.” They smiled at each other. “Thanks for your help, Alec,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. Then they parted ways.

Alec entered his room as silently as he’d left. He removed his robe and glasses and kicked off his slippers before sliding back into bed next to Eli. Luckily, he’d changed position and was now facing away from him. He had also kicked the covers off and was farther onto his own side of the bed.

He carefully climbed into bed and slid up close against Eli’s back; then he draped his arm across him. The coarse hair on his chest tickled Alec’s arm as he held him tightly, trying to get warm again. Eli stirred and mumbled but didn’t wake.
This man can sleep through anything.
Alec smiled and kissed the top of Eli’s head before resting his face in his shaggy hair. Unconsciously, Eli’s hand reached up to grip his arm, clinging to him in his sleep.

“Merry Christmas, love,” Alec whispered.

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The Dreamspinner Press 2009 Advent Calendar is available at http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com.

About the Author

Dawn Kimberly Johnson
is a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where she grew up and still lives. For eight years she worked as a copy editor at a daily newspaper before heading west to Oregon in search of adventure. After eight years there, five of them good, she returned home where she is trying to regain her health and still hoping for the best.

Copyright

Biting the Christmas Biscuit ©Copyright Dawn Kimberly Johnson, 2009

Published by

Dreamspinner Press

4760 Preston Road

Suite 244-149

Frisco, TX 75034

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Art by Paul Richmond   http://www.paulrichmondstudio.com

Cover Design by Mara McKennen

This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

Released in the United States of America

December 2009

eBook Edition

eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-314-8