“Oh, my goodness. Oh. Ouch.” Charles grinned, then chuckled, then laughed out loud.
“I know. We were snowballs. It was great.” They had had a ball goofing off.
“That looks like fun. Painful, but fun.” Charles put his phone away. “When is he coming to visit? I think he should come to New York. I wouldn’t mind if you’d like him to join us for Christmas. Europe can wait.”
“That would be fun. Roper would love that. He’s going to be in almost as much trouble as I am.” Ryder was the ‘good’ one. Roper always got in more trouble.
Charles snorted. “I will be even more unpopular with your mother than I already am. You should feel free to make whatever invitation you would like. Just let me know what the plans are.”
“I’ll talk to him after our vacation. I’m officially out of pocket until next week.”
“Mm. Yes. You’re officially in my pocket until then.”
“Oooh… I like your pocket, my love.” He liked it a lot.
“Me too.” Charles hunkered down a little in his seat and closed his eyes. “Me too.”
He leaned against Mister Charlie’s shoulder, grabbed his book, and settled in. He had nothing to worry about but his man.
Charles wokeup when the car stopped moving. He’d been dozing—well, who was he kidding, he’d fallen asleep—and the whole trip had gone by quickly.
He often felt a little car sick on long drives, but he’d never admit to that. It seemed better to just doze off and let Ryder think he was a fuddy-duddy.
He was a bit of a fuddy-duddy anyway.
He stretched and sat up, smiling at Ryder, who was so excited he could almost feel his lover vibrating from across the back seat.
Ryder had devoured his book, and he was zipping through the final chapters.
“This resort comes highly recommended.” It had a high price tag, but it was off the beaten path, and they would be treated like kings.
“Does it?” Ryder grinned at him. “It’s gorgeous. Just like a storybook. I approve.”
Ryder was right, it did look like a storybook. A-frame snow-covered roofs, warm light in the windows, running cedar, and twinkling white lights made it feel festive too. He slid out of the car and held a hand out for Ryder.
Ryder took his hand and stood, holding on. “Do I need to grab the suitcases?”
“The only thing you need to grab is me.” He put an arm over Ryder’s shoulders and pulled him hip-to-hip.
They climbed up the wide front steps, shivering a little until they got through the front doors to the lobby where it was warm and smelled like a wood fire.
“Welcome.” A middle-aged woman stood behind the shining wood counter. “Mr. Martin, you made exceptional time.”
“I confess I dozed off so it was a very quick trip for me.” He glanced at her nametag. “Ah, Valerie. You’re the one I spoke with on the phone. This is my partner, Ryder Vales.”
“Mr. Vales, pleased. We’re so glad to have you as our guests. I have all of your room information and keys here. You have a lovely suite, and we’re at your service.”
He reached for the keys. “Thank you. Two questions, where is dinner, and could we have hot cocoa and marshmallows delivered to the room please?”
Valerie smiled warmly. “Dinner is at seven, and you’ll have an assigned table for the duration of your stay. It has a lovely view. I think you’ll like it. And cocoa will be up shortly.”
“Perfect. Thank you very much.” He watched as their luggage made its way down the hall.
Ryder held one hand out to shake. “It’s been grand to meet you. Thank you for the warm welcome.”
Ryder might have thought his mother was a handful, but she did something right raising her boy. He was a pleasure to take anywhere.
Valerie’s smile was surprised and pleased. She shook his hand. “Very nice to meet you, too. If you want anything special while you’re here, just give me a call.”