Epilogue

INSTRUMENTAL CHRISTMAS music played in the background as Willy worked to fill the candy display. This time of year, the store was always busy, which was wonderful. Willy had designed and installed the window displays, as well as a lot of the other decorations for the store. It was very festive, and Mr. Webster was pleased mainly because he didn’t have to do it.

It turned out that after all the years in business, Mr. Webster was a bit of a Scrooge. “I just want this season to be over,” he said softly as he approached. “Every year it’s the same thing. They want the one item I didn’t order enough of, and they complain about it for days.” He rolled his eyes. “The family is always so excited, and I get home completely exhausted from the long hours.”

“Why don’t you ask them to work? They’re old enough to help. Maybe have them earn money for the holidays,” Willy offered. “I can keep them busy.”

Mr. Webster chuckled. “I bet you can. Heck, you could run this store without any help from me.” He patted Willy on the shoulder and handed him an envelope. “It’s your Christmas bonus and a notice of a raise. You deserve it.”

Willy opened the envelope, blinking at the amount. “This is too much.”

“No, it’s not,” Mr. Webster said, patting him on the shoulder again and hurrying to the back of the store where a customer was asking for him.

Willy blinked at the five-hundred-dollar check. He put it in his pocket and went back to work, finishing up his display. He took the empty boxes away and got the last of the Christmas items from the back. There were still two weeks until Christmas, and it looked like they were going to have a sellout of the holiday items, which was awesome. Everyone in Sierra Pines seemed to be in the holiday spirit.

“Willy!”

Willy stowed the cart just outside the stockroom as Ezekiel barreled into him. He hugged his brother, lifting him into his arms.

“I did really good. See?” He showed Willy a paper from school with a star and a smiley face on it. “I get lots of those.”

“That’s awesome,” Willy said. “Are you here with Mom?”

Ezekiel shook his head, pointing as Willy’s father approached, with Reggie not far behind him. Now that was a strange sight.

“Dad?” Willy asked. He hadn’t seen his father very much over the past few months, and when he had, he was cool and rather aloof. He hadn’t said anything bad or hurtful—distant was probably the best description Willy could come up with.

“Reverend,” Reggie said as he joined Willy. “I came to take you to lunch, but it looks like you already have company.”

“Ezekiel, why don’t you go see if you can find something for your sister for Christmas?” his father offered, and Ezekiel hurried down the candy aisle. Goodness knew what he would pick out. “Willy, Reggie,” his dad began, “I….” He fidgeted. “We are having a family gathering Christmas Eve and wanted to invite both of you.”

Willy turned to Reggie as a shot of excitement jolted through his veins. “Did Mom put you up to this?”

His dad hesitated. “No. It’s time I put aside some of my pride and stubbornness.” The hurt in his dad’s eyes told Willy he was being truthful. “You’re my son and I’m your dad, and it’s time I started acting like it again. At least I’m going to try.” He looked to both of them. “Please come.” He turned away, following behind Ezekiel, and a childish squeal of delight rang through the store as his father scooped Ezekiel into his arms, both of them laughing.

“Can we go?” Willy swore he wasn’t going to cry, but dammit, he was so close.

“Of course we can. I’ll call my parents and let them know that we’ll need to adjust our plans a little. They were having their get-together for Christmas dinner, so it will be fine.” Reggie put his arm around him, and Willy instantly felt as though the spinning world had calmed once again.

“Thank you. This is the first sign that….” It was hard for him to say.

“I know, sweetheart,” Reggie said gently. “Why don’t you go tell Mr. Webster that you’re leaving and get your coat so I can take you to lunch? There’s a lot I want to tell you.”

“Give me a minute,” Willy said, then hurried to the office to get his coat. He told Mr. Webster he was going to lunch and slipped on his coat. He waved to Rose at the register as he left, and she waved back.

Wisps of snow fell around them as they walked to the diner. “I thought you were in Sacramento and weren’t going to be back until tomorrow.”

The human trafficking case had quickly gotten much larger than their small town. The tendrils of the organization had reached as far away as Los Angeles and San Diego. It seemed that Reggie had been able to pull enough threads of the organization and Jack followed them back to their origins. Dozens of people had been arrested.

“Shawn pleaded guilty, and he fingered James Calder, who also pleaded guilty. They will be spending a lot of time behind bars, but their cooperation is going to send a lot of worse people away as well. So that part of the case is over. The state approved the money for an additional deputy to aid in making sure this type of thing doesn’t get a start in our area again.”

“So you have to hire two deputies?”

“Just one more. Jack says he wants to join the force here. He likes the area and has been looking to find a place where he can settle down. He’ll take Shawn’s spot as my lead deputy, and I’ll do a search to fill the new position. Jack will start just after Christmas. I should have filled the position a while ago, but I wanted to make sure anyone I hired would fit in here.”

“You think Jack will?” Willy asked, pulling open the door of the diner.

“Yeah. He told me his boyfriend left him a year ago and he’s been looking to get away and start somewhere new.” Reggie winked, and Willy chuckled. “Both Sam and Jasper worked well with him and they already know him, so it should be a pretty easy integration.” They found a seat, and Willy took off his coat, waiting for Reggie to do the same before sitting down. “The entire town needs a chance to digest what happened.”

“Yeah, but considering no one really liked Shawn, and James Calder was a self-important jerk, I think they’ll get over it, especially now that the trial is over and the story can fade from the news and stuff.” Willy picked up a menu and glanced over it before setting it down again. He knew it by heart and ordered his favorite chicken salad. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too. It’s supposed to storm tonight. They’re calling for eight to ten inches of snow. I was trying to get back before it started.” Reggie ran his fingers over Willy’s before pulling his hand back. Just about everyone knew they were a couple. Most people went about their business, though a few tried to cause trouble, but they didn’t get very far. Basically he and Reggie were careful in public.

“It’s good to have you home,” Willy whispered softly. “The house always seems so empty.” Their bed certainly did.

AFTER LUNCH, Willy went back to work and then drove home. Reggie’s house had quickly come to feel like home, and Willy associated Reggie with that feeling, so when he was gone, the place never seemed to warm up, no matter how much he tried to heat it. It just felt empty when Reggie wasn’t there.

Willy pulled into the garage, went inside, and got things together to make dinner. Reggie came in a little while later, turning on all the Christmas lights to make the house seem more festive. Sometimes Reggie was just a big kid.

“What are we having for dinner?”

“I have a couple of steaks and some mashed potatoes. I also got fresh carrots at the market. Is that okay?” Willy asked as Reggie walked around the kitchen work area, took Willy by the hand, and led him to the sofa.

“I know it’s early, but I have your Christmas present. I tried to wait until the day, but it hasn’t worked out.”

“Reggie, it’s too early. Just wrap it up and put it under the tree. I’ll wait until then.” He wasn’t Ruthie, who peeked at everything under the tree well before the holiday. His mother always hid her presents.

“I don’t think I can do that.” Reggie stood. “Wait here.” He hurried away, returned with a large box, and set it on the floor in front of him.

Willy huffed and opened it. A large black puppy tried to climb out of the box, and Willy reached for it, hugging it immediately to his body. The puppy licked Willy’s chin, squirming and wiggling like crazy.

“His name’s Bear and he’s a black lab. The people who originally took him couldn’t keep him. I had hoped to find someone to hold him until Christmas, but I figured it was better that he got settled in his new home.”

“Reggie,” Willy said softly. “This is….” He wiped his eyes as Reggie sat down next to him.

Reggie leaned closer, sliding an arm around him. “This way you won’t be alone when I have to go away. And just so you know, my parents have already invited their new grandpuppy for Christmas.”

“Thank you. I always wanted a dog….” Willy pressed in for a kiss. “This is perfect. I love you so much.” He kissed Reggie deeper until the puppy squirmed and whined. Willy set him down, and he wandered through the room, exploring and smelling. “Does this mean I won’t have a present on Christmas day?” Willy laughed as Reggie pushed him back onto the cushions.

REGGIE KISSED away the question, knowing that the ring rested at the bottom of his sock drawer, already wrapped, just waiting for Christmas morning.