Page 64 of The Christmas Accomplice

Chapter 18

Welton stood looking out the front window of the cabin, watching the snow. It was really coming down and was, according to the resort’s information channel on the TV, the perfect snow for skiing. He certainly wasn’t going to try skiing any time soon, but it would have been nice to be able to do the toboggan run again, or maybe some sledding. Hell, he might even give snowshoeing a try, as long as he was with Reece.

Too bad you fucked things up with Reece. He would have definitely taken you back to the toboggan run.

Christmas Eve and he was stuck here in his cabin. Dinner was served up at the resort at six, and it was only one thirty. He’d already watched as much television as he could stand, and he really didn’t have the focus to read. All he wanted to do was talk with Reece, but he knew Reece wouldn’t want that. Besides, he would be focused on the activity he was going to manage. Welton wondered what kind of activity he’d been assigned, and tried to think of a way to find out. Maybe it was listed on the resort’s information channel?

He sat on the couch and clicked on the television. Christmas music played as resort information scrolled past. He was still looking for information about activities when the door opened and Dean entered the cabin amid a swirl of snow. He wore a big smile as he pulled off his hat and stomped snow from his boots, prompting Welton to forget about the resort’s information channel and stand up.

“What? Why are you smiling like that? Is it Reece? Does he want to talk with me? Did he ask about me?”

“I know how you can get him back,” Dean said.

“What? How? Did you talk to him?”

“No, not to him.”

“Oh.”

“But his friend, that woman he works with, caught up with me in the lobby and talked to me.”

“Nick? What did she say?”

“Reece is in over his head with this activity he’s been assigned. And it’s something you can help him with.”

“Me? I don’t understand. What kind of activity could I help him with?”

“I’ll tell you on the way.”

Welton took a step back, nervous and excited, but mostly nervous. And scared. “On the way? To where?”

“The main building. I’m going to help you become Reece’s Christmas accomplice.”

At first,Welton refused to consider it. But the more Dean told him what he’d learned from Nick, the more he was drawn into Dean’s idea. He really did want to see Reece again, though he was anxious about what kind of reaction he’d receive. But the activity Dean had described was very intriguing. A Santaland D&D game set up sounded like the perfect way for him to spend Christmas Eve.

As long as Reece didn’t kick him out the minute he laid eyes on him. That would be really embarrassing.

Dean took him by the shoulders and made Welton look him in the eye. “I know you’re scared about Reece’s reaction. But this is your chance to help him with something you specialize in. You can show him how much you care by helping him get through this.”

“He hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. If he hates anyone, it’s me.”

“What if he tells me to leave?”

“Then you tell him you refuse to leave until you’ve helped him.”

Welton blew out a breath and looked off toward the fireplace. He really did want to see Reece again, but he was very, very nervous about it. He knew, though, that this was his last chance not just to see Reece, but to show him what he had come to mean to him. If he didn’t try, he’d never know what might happen between them.

He looked Dean in the eye. “Okay. Let’s go.”

“Yes!” Dean pulled him into a tight hug then pushed him toward the stairs. “Go get dressed. Something Christmasy and maybe a little sexy?”

Welton stopped halfway up the steps and frowned at him over the railing. “Christmasy and sexy?”

“Oh my God, I’m sorry I said anything. Don’t overthink it, just go put on some clothes. It starts at three.”

“Three? That’s just over an hour from now!”