Page 35 of Enduring Christmas

CHAPTER TEN

Xenobianever realized how bleak her home was until she compared it to this last week with Luke and Shiloh.

Ramsey took a cursory look around the place. " So, you just moving in?"

Xenobia sighed. "Nope, I've been here over a year." Yet the place looked pretty sad. A couch no pillows, a coffee table no magazines, a wooden floor, no rugs. The place was sparse just like her life had been before Luke and a beautiful little girl who had trouble pronouncing her name.

"Wow," he chuckled. "This place is pretty sad. And that's saying something for a man who lives out of a duffel bag."

Xenobia jabbed a finger in his chest. "Remember you're a guest."

Ramsey rubbed the spot. "Okay. Okay. It's safe to assume you spend most of your time at your boyfriend's house? How long you been with this guy?"

"We've only been dating for three days."

Ramsey gave a soft laugh. "Tell me you're joking?"

Xenobia laughed too. "I know," she threw up her hands. "It sounds crazy, but he's the one."

Ramsey took a seat on the couch. "Seems a little sudden. You never even hinted at wanting a man in your life."

"I know, but Luke has this easy way about him. When I'm with him, it's like we're best friends. Like your favorite sweatshirt."

Ramsey still hadn't produced a shirt to cover all those muscles. "So, your new boyfriend is well-worn, possibly ripped in a few places, faded and stained."

"Yeah," she laughed, walking into the kitchen. "Can I offer you coffee, tea, a bathrobe?"

He gestured to his bare chest, "does this bother you?"

She waved him off. "Me, of course not. I'm immune, but bare chest doesn't exactly say Christmas as much as baby oil, and maybe a private dancer."

He let out a belly laugh. "Rook always loved your sense of humor."

That was the first time in while Xenobia remembered the laughter they had shared. The usual pain didn't come when she thought about Rook. "Yeah, he did."

"So, this guy."

"Luke. His name is Luke Cole."

Ramsey rubbed at his shin. "And the little soccer enthusiast back at the bar?"

"His five-year-old daughter, Shiloh. And sorry, she usually a happy kid."

"She seems pretty protective of you."