Egg the Halls

Chapter 1-2

Kiko turned in his chair to see Cat Vankel enter from the far door near the largest tree, now sparkling with eggs. When he stood, he caught sight of Dom’s expression, a scowl on his scruffy face that reached to his brown eyes and told of the plentiful profanity he was holding back. Kiko stifled a laugh and smiled at Cat as she brushed snow off her coat.

“Kiko,” she said, crossing to the counter. She was in her late forties with black shoulder-length hair bleached at the tips, and a plump but cheery face. She owned Cats N Canvas and Cat’s Ceramics in Catsville and rarely made it out to Mount Angus, where Yolks on You was. “Glad I caught you.”

“We were about to go home,” said Dom.

Kiko rolled his eyes. “What would you like, Cat?” he asked, drawing her eyes back from Dom, who she appeared to be appraising. He tried to address everyone who entered his shop with a warm positivity that made them feel at home, and this was no different for people he already knew.

“Well,” she said, offering a smile that said she’d been scheming something. “You know Mount Angus always hoards all the good things, and I could really use a business boost for Christmas this year.”

“Is this about the Twelve Days of Mount Angus?” asked Kiko. He’d been explaining the festivities to Dom yesterday. They’d just come out of Turkey Turmoil Days, complete with charity run to raise money to put a turkey on every table, in which Dom actually decently tolerated Mother wearing his turkey costume and being jogged along in a stroller. But the Twelve Days of Mount Angus was something a bit bigger.

Kiko liked it because it encouraged people to shop local for Christmas. Twelve lucky businesses were given rubber stamps and a day of Christmas from the song—Kiko’s was naturally day six, geese a-laying. A customer could earn a stamp on a special card for each purchase, and turn each completed card in for a prize drawing on the last day. Occasionally people from out-of-town would swing by and shop just to get an entry into the drawing.

“Well, it’s linked, definitely,” said Cat. “Nobody drives out to Cat’s. So I figured, why not bring Cat’s to them?”

Kiko’s smile faltered. He imagined she was having a harder time of it than normal, considering her brother had recently moved back into the area and had opened Angus Arts just a few weeks ago. Ben even snagged a stamp this year, for the day four calling birds.

“I’m afraid I just don’t have the space to display an entire gallery of work,” began Kiko, but Cat waved a hand.

“No, no, I’m not asking that. But I was thinking if you could spare the room for a few items…I’d give you a fee or a percent, whatever you’d prefer. It’d be themed, of course—a lot of my artists really get into the spirit of the season. I have art based on the geese a-laying verse of the song—you know, paintings and a few other pieces—and ornaments you can hang. A few of my pottery pieces. It wouldn’t be much, but it would certainly fit with your décor.”

Kiko opened his mouth to reply but Dom got there first.

“More ornaments?” he asked.

“I won’t make you hang them unless you force me to,” said Kiko and shot Dom a look. Dom grinned at him in response and he felt a stirring under his skin. He’d been wanting to be close to Dom all day now and decided right then that when he’d finished up with Cat, they’d go home. Kiko figured there’d be time for him to get to anything Dom hadn’t managed.

“Thanks, Kiko,” said Cat, sounding relieved. He turned back to her with a grin.

“I haven’t said yes yet,” he said.

“Stop flirting with other people,” grumbled Dom, and Cat laughed.

“I think I can clear up some space,” said Kiko. “Make sure you bring some business cards, too, so people know where they’re buying from.”

“That’s great,” said Cat. “Thanks so much. Elena said yes, too. And a few other places. The bakery, the nursery, Pasta La Vista…Haven’t asked the brewery yet.”

“I’m sure Buddy will be interested,” said Kiko. “He’s been complaining about being assigned the drummers drumming. It was supposed to be in honor of a drumroll, since he’s unveiling that new beer he’s been working on with Martha soon.”

“Can’t wait to see what that is,” said Cat. “We have wine and paint nights now and then down at the Canvas; maybe we should have beer nights, too?”

“That’s an idea,” said Kiko, not wanting to mention he thought he’d heard that Ben was doing those down at Angus Arts. Cat must have seen something in his face, though, because she sighed.

“Well, better get going. I have to prepare for pot throwing tomorrow morning. Thanks again, Kiko; I’ll call you when I have it all together and we can figure it out.”

Dom waited until Cat had left and her taillights disappeared down the road before complaining.

“And I bet I’m your errand boy.”

Kiko smiled and left the counter to snag Dom by the waist. He was definitely feeling the pull now. His mind tried to calculate time and everything they had to do yet tonight, then grew frustrated and threw it all out. They’d make time.

“Don’t I pay you well?” asked Kiko, leaning close. Dom kept stiff as Kiko nearly brushed his lips against Dom’s. He listened for Dom’s breath but the man was holding it.

“I thought you wanted me to get back to work,” said Dom, then pulled back and grinned when Kiko tried to kiss him. Kiko released him, even more turned on now, and stalked back to his computer.

“What are you waiting for then?”