Biting the Christmas Biscuit Read Free Page A

the ceiling, he decided to get up but had to first extricate himself from Eli. He clung to him nearly every night, periodically squeezing him tightly in his sleep. It was like he was afraid Alec would slip away from him and he’d wake up alone.
    Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Alec was about to do. He gently lifted Eli’s arm that rested across his chest and held it aloft as he slid out from under it and off the bed. Then he slowly laid it to rest where he’d been lying.
    He watched Eli for any movement, but the most he did was mumble in his sleep. Alec quickly and quietly pulled on his robe, stepped into his slippers, grabbed his glasses, and left the room. They were bunking in the downstairs guest room because Eli couldn’t manage the stairs very easily.
    Alec moved silently down the hall toward the great room. He could hear the refrigerator humming, the kitchen clock ticking, and the wind blowing outside. There was no other sound; no one else was moving about upstairs or down.
    While their room was toasty enough to sleep without shirts, the dark hallway had a chill to it. He turned the corner into the great room and was met with the Tuckers’ magnificent tree. The fire had gone out, so it was the only source of light and cast a magical, twinkling glow throughout the room.
    Unlike the front yard, it boasted multi-colored lights; some blinking, some not. There were silvery icicles and ornaments from Christmases past, probably some even crafted by the Tucker children. He could easily imagine finding a small wood, hand-painted train engine with the name Bennett painted on it. Alec took a step forward but froze as the hardwood floor beneath him creaked.
    “Who is it?” a singsong voice asked out of the darkness at his right.
    “M-me,” he said uncertainly. There was a soft, feminine chuckle. “S-sorry, it’s- I mean, it’s Alec.”
    Carmondy sat up on the sofa and looked at him. She grinned and sipped her drink. Apparently she had been snoozing there or simply staring at the tree. “Come on in. Join the party.” Alec followed her instructions and walked deeper into the room. “Drink?” she asked.
    “No, thank you.” He was staring at the tree again, lost in its beauty and warmth. It was a real tree and with the angel on top, it just brushed the high ceiling. The scent coming from it was heavenly and filled the room. He felt like he could stare at it forever.
    Carmondy watched him for a few moments. “Couldn’t sleep?”
    He looked at her and smiled. “No, sorry to say.” He sat on the arm of the sofa. “I can’t seem to shut off my mind. How about you?”
    “I’ve got a bike to put together for Leah, my friend.”
    “Want some help?”
    “I’d love some,” she eagerly accepted. “First, let me fill this up again.” She dragged herself off the sofa and went to the bar in the corner to refresh her drink. Alec wandered over to the fireplace and began to examine the collection of pictures on the mantel. There was a beautiful one of Carmondy and Leah—no husband in the picture. There was an older one of the entire family, including Bennett and Eli.
    Alec glanced across the room at her as she poured her drink. He saw a resemblance to Bennett. She had his coloring, sandy blond hair, less wavy than his, but the same green eyes and smile. He had to admit, he had not seen her smile very much tonight. He turned back to the photos.
    “This must be strange for you, Alec,” she said as she approached him.      
    “It is,” he admitted, “but I wanted….” The words still wouldn’t come. She sipped her drink, watching him as he fingered the family photo that included Eli. He looks happy standing there. A shiver ran through him, and he turned to her suddenly. “How about a fire?” he asked.
    “Mmm, good idea,” she said around the ice cube in her mouth. They both quickly knelt in front of the fireplace. He reached into the supply bucket for a new quick-catch log and a lighter while she