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"I’ arms went around me, and she nearly squeezed the air out of lanced over to where Jack was rolling dough into balls She lowered her voice "I don’t want the little one to overhear, but I’lad you’re okay and that--­"her voice dropped low--­"crazy son of a bitch is in jail"

My lips twitched "Me too"

Mrs Winstead shook her head sadly as she watched Jack plop a ball of batter onto a cookie sheet "Just that poor girl"

"I know" I bit down onmyself that at least there’s justice for Debbie now"

Jack looked over his shoulder, a frown of curiosity on his cute face "What’s justice?"

"When bad ­people have their co" Mrs Winstead smiled at me, and the lines around her eyes deepened Her voice lowered again "But thatthat’s not all"

Placing her hand on lad that you know--­that Jase told you"

I didn’t knohat to say All I could do was nod, and Mrs Winstead’s sh "Jase used to do that as a little boy too," she said, blinking rapidly "He ate h raw than he did cooked"

"That’s when it’s at its best" My voice was surprisingly hoarse

She patted ood He hasn’t gotten close to anyone since Kari, and you’ve gotten him to open up that heart of his I knoe haven’t had a chance to really get to know each other, but for that, you’ll always be like a daughter toback tears, I shed "I’ain "Why you sad?"

"I’ for his benefit "I’m happy, really happy"

He took h I wiped at ether "Thank you That means a lot toat Jack’s back "Or Jase’s heart"

"That’s irl" Her eyes turned misty, and she cleared her throat "Now, look at onna do us any good, not when ht in here"

"Hey, Mom" Jase strode across the cluttered but homey kitchen, leaned in, and kissed his lanced between us, he frowned "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is good," I said, sether "Jack is pretty busy over there"

He glanced over at hi both of us closely "Are you sure?"

"Yes, hon Us gals were just chatting All good things" Mrs Winstead turned, opened the oven door, and peeked in "These are almost done"

Appeased, Jase went over to where Jack was and snuck a ball of dough off the cookie sheet

"Hey!" Jack giggled as Jase popped the whole thing in hishis little boy’s cheek, Jase then pivoted around, co up behind me from around the kitchen table He slipped his arether "Can I steal her away now? Want to show her the tree"

Mrs Winstead winked at me"Only if she wants to be stolen by you"

"Oh, she wants to be stolen by hed "Don’t be embarrassed"

Hishis ar roo rooe and real and reminded hts blinked every few seconds Stockings hung above the fireplace

"Look at this" Stretching forward, he unhooked a red stocking and held it up "What do you think?"

"Oh!" The stocking had litter "That’sit back up "Jack "

I don’t knohat it was about the stocking with my name on it, but it ht itdown on the floor with his back against the couch Tugging onyou love it"

"I do" I laughed and then swiped atface "I really do love it"

"I wonder what Santa will put in your stocking" The way he said it s "And under your tree"

I lifted a shoulder and then putforward, I kissed his lips "I already have everything I want for Christmas"

"Mmm" His hands settled on my hps and he swept his lips over reedy, I want to wake up with you to That’s what I want"

"But--­"

"Ca you up late to So why should I take you back to the apartht?" He kissed the corner of my lips "You can stay here with me My parents wouldn’t care We can pretend we’re sixteen and having quiet, dirty sex so no one hears us"

I laughed "You’re such a perv"