Jessie’s Dusty Dreams

by Kat Carrington

  Becca laughed. "Don't look at me. I'm finishing school and starting my career first."

  "Anyway, anybody who wants to can go with us to the candlelight service at church. It's at eleven until midnight. Then home to bed. Oh, and I've already got the fixings for breakfast casserole for Christmas morning."

  Jessie gave a little clap of her hands and said, "Oh, good, I haven't been to a Christmas Eve candlelight service in years! And I brought two different kinds of cheeseball for tomorrow evening. Also, a cookie tray and a platter of assorted kinds of fudge."

  Becca gave a hoot of laughter. "Finally, somebody in the family who can make fudge! Mom and I just can't get it to turn out right. No wonder Brady loves you."

  Jessie was speechless for a moment. Then she grinned and said, "That's why he told me he'd be my Christmas slave for fudge."

  Becca and Linda both dissolved in laughter.

  "You need to tell us more, " Becca said. "You must have some embarrassing stories to tell about my big brother."

  "Um, no, not really. Well, not that wouldn't embarrass me too."

  That made them laugh harder. Becca shrugged and said, "We'll listen to that too."

  Jessie's face turned pink and Linda patted her hand. "Don't mind Becca, she's just kidding."

  "No, I'm not," Becca said earnestly. "I love to hear about other people's embarrassment."

  Her mother said thoughtfully, "Well, there are some embarrassing stories I could tell about you."

  Hastily, Becca said, "Okay, okay, I'm just kidding. Truce, Mom."

  Just then the back door opened and all three dogs ran in, followed by Brady. He walked over to give Jessie a kiss then lifted the lid on the chili pot and sniffed appreciatively.

  "How you doing?" he asked Jessie.

  She grinned at him and said, "I'm fine, but thank you for your timing. You totally rescued me just now."

  "Ah, that means Becca is being her normal self. Just tell her to shut up." He gave his sister a devilish smile and kissed her on the cheek.

  Becca said, "Jerk."

  Brady said, "Brat. I just brought the dogs in because we're going to be shooting for a while. Do you ladies need anything?"

  Linda said, "No, we're doing just fine in here. Have fun."

  Brady snagged a handful of cookies before he went back out the door. All three women shook their heads at him then burst out laughing.

  That night when they all said their goodnights, Brady followed Jessie to her bedroom and kissed her lingeringly. "Are you having fun?" he asked.

  "Yes, I am, I'm really having fun. Your family is wonderful."

  He nuzzled her neck and said, "Mmm, so are you. I might have to sneak in here after everyone's asleep."

  Jessie smiled archly at him. "Better behave, or Santa won't bring you anything."

  Brady kissed the tip of her nose and said, "I think I already have everything I need."

  Jessie threw her arms around him and kissed him. "Good night, Brady."

  "Night, Jess." He went to his room as Jessie slipped into hers.

  Jessie washed her face and brushed her teeth and then climbed into bed with a huge yawn. She was suddenly bone tired and she was asleep nearly as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  Brady peeked in at her a little later and smiled at her, curled up under the covers and sleeping soundly. He whispered another goodnight and went back to his room.

  * * *

  Christmas Eve was cold but sunny. Everyone was up before dawn, and the guys wolfed down their breakfast sandwiches before they finished bundling up to go out and hunt. They loaded up on the four wheelers and headed for the woods. The three women exchanged looks in the sudden silence that the men had left behind and then suddenly burst out laughing.

  Becca said between giggles, "I don't know how they can move, let alone hunt!"

  Jessie said, "Have you ever seen so many hand warmers before? They had them in their pockets, in their socks, taped to their long johns. They're going to sit in the woods giving off steam."

  Linda was laughing too. "It never fails. And Pete has a brand new pair of battery powered socks on."

  Becca poured coffee for all three of them and added a generous dollop of Irish Cream Liqueur. "We deserve a treat."

  They sipped their coffee and ate their own breakfast sandwiches seated at the big kitchen island, still joking about their men. When they finished breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen, they sat down with Linda's list and looked over what they needed to fix for their Christmas Eve festivities. She added the things Jessie had brought and they soon had their plans made.

  Linda said, "Becca makes the best guacamole, so she's making that. I'll do the stuffed mushrooms and the hot sausage meatballs. I can make them both early and have them ready for the oven. Jessie, how about putting together the summer sausage and cheese tray? We have a nice big roll of venison summer sausage. I have about a gazillion boxes of crackers and bags of tortilla chips. Oh, we have to put together the chili cheese dip too."

  Becca said, "Jessie and I can do that. I can't do the guac too far ahead of time, so we can get that ready early and in the crockpot."

  "Good. And your dad is picking up a giant platter of cocktail shrimp and lobster and crab this afternoon." She scanned her list again. "What am I forgetting? Deviled eggs."

  Becca and Jessie looked at each other and Jessie said, "Why don't we all do those together? They're kind of tedious so it'll go faster that way."

  "That's a great idea, Jess," said Becca. "Let's get that out of the way first."

  Jessie nodded in agreement and sat quietly for a moment before she started giggling again. "I just can't get the image of Brady out of my head. He looked like he gained another hundred pounds when he got all those clothes on."

  They were all laughing again. Linda said, "Wait till you see them if they get a deer. They all turn into a bunch of little boys, bragging and retelling the story of how they got it. And we'll be roasting a deer leg. But they'll do that outside over a fire. We don't have to mess with it."

  "What do they do with the deer?" Jessie asked.

  "They hang it in the lean-to off the barn, take off a leg and clean and trim it to roast. Then after Christmas, they'll take it over to Henry's place for processing. Years ago, we did it ourselves, but we just don't have the time for that anymore. Plus, it's just too much mess and work."

  "I wouldn't even know how to begin to process a deer," Jessie said.

  "Stick with that," Becca advised. "You don't want to, believe me."

  Three hours later, deviled eggs made and stowed in the big refrigerator, they heard the ATVs roaring up to the barn and then the voices of the men calling to each other and laughing. The ladies clustered at the window to see deer strapped to two of the four wheelers.

  "Oh boy," Linda said. "They're going to be hard to live with. Two deer on Christmas Eve. Did you bring earplugs, Jessie? These stories are going to be told over and over, guaranteed. We better put on a pot of coffee."

  "On it," Becca said.

  The men got their deer hung, and the women dutifully went outside to admire the kill and refused to stand out in the cold to listen to the recap. They went back inside and busied themselves in the kitchen until the men came in to tell their stories. After they made themselves sandwiches, they all dozed off around the fire for a while.

  Becca shook her head at them and said, "Some things never change. Well, at least we'll eat well this winter."

  All of them thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas Eve feast and went to the candlelight service later that night. By the time they got home, all were ready for bed. Calling their goodnights to each other, they were soon sound asleep. Moonlight shone on the snow outside the dark, quiet house and Jessie's dreams were peaceful and happy.

  Chapter 14

  Christmas morning found a noisy, happy group, including the three dogs. There were piles of wrapping paper on the floor and the dogs chewed busily on their new chew bones. Becca and Linda exclaimed over the gifts of scarv
es and gloves that Jessie had given them, and Pete and Tim opened their bottles of good Kentucky bourbon with big grins. Then Jessie opened the gift from Pete and Linda, and she was speechless.

  She was looking at a beautifully framed picture of Jake and Brady in their battle uniforms, arms around each other's shoulders and grins on their faces. Tears filled Jessie's eyes as she gazed at their faces.

  "Mom! I told you it would upset her!" Becca exclaimed.

  "No," Jessie managed. "No, it's wonderful. You couldn't have given me a more thoughtful gift. I love it so much." Her tears spilled over. "I just miss him so much. But I'll cherish this forever. Thank you both so much."

  Jessie turned to Brady, and he swept her into his lap, his arms wrapped around her. He kissed her and then she went to Linda and gave her a long hug, bringing tears to Brady's mom's eyes too. She kissed Pete on the cheek and he patted her hand, clearing his throat gruffly.

  Becca winked at her brother and drawled, "Geez, you guys trying to win a contest for the best Christmas gift? What about the rest of us?"

  "Oh! I almost forgot," Linda said. "Becca, this is for you."

  Becca tore into the package like a six-year-old and her mouth dropped open when she saw the tooled leather bridle it held. Her grin was huge. "Okay, I take it back. I love it! Maybe you do win the contest for the best gift giving."

  "Ha!" Brady said. "You ain't seen nothing yet."

  He took Jessie by the hand and pulled her with him to the one room that Linda hadn't shown her.

  "Wait, Brady, your mom didn't want me to go in there," Jessie protested.

  "Oh, don't pay any attention to her." He put his hand on the doorknob and said, "Close your eyes."

  "But—"

  "Close your eyes, Jess."

  With a sigh, Jessie closed her eyes and Brady opened the door. He pulled her forward a few steps and stopped.

  "Okay, open your eyes now."

  Jessie opened her eyes and her mouth dropped open in shock. A piano stood in the center of the room, adorned with a huge red bow.

  "I…Brady, did you…is this for me?"

  He laughed at her. "Of course, it's for you, silly girl. I arranged it at Thanksgiving time."

  "Oh, my God, it's beautiful!" Jessie threw her arms around him and their lips locked in a long kiss, broken up by the cheers and jeers of his rowdy family.

  "So I did good?"

  "Oh, Brady, you did really good. But how are we going to get it home?"

  "No worries. It's going to be delivered in a nice secure box truck equipped with a lift gate. I arranged that at Thanksgiving time too. I'm not about to try to haul a piano five hours home."

  "It's wonderful." Jessie ran her fingers over the keys, and the rest of them clamored for her to play something.

  Jessie pulled the piano bench out and sat down to play Jingle Bells. Soon everyone was singing Christmas carols, and after several tunes, they were all ready for the breakfast casserole that Linda had in the oven.

  "You boys pick up all the paper and we'll go get breakfast on the table," Linda instructed.

  The rest of the day was happy and festive, and the Christmas dinner later in the afternoon was delicious. After dinner, they gathered in the big living room where they watched Christmas movies and talked and laughed while Pete dozed in his recliner and Linda got out old photo albums to leaf through with Jessie and Becca. Brady rolled his eyes while his mother showed off his baby pictures and Becca teased him unmercifully. They snacked on leftovers later and Linda packed up containers for Brady and Jessie to take back with them.

  It was a truly happy Christmas for Jessie, aside from the ache of missing her brother. She was still a little shocked every time she looked at the piano with the picture of Brady and Jake sitting on top of it. She loved Brady's family already; they had made her feel so welcomed and at home. They all stayed up a little later than they should have, considering that Brady and Jessie were leaving the next morning. But finally, they all went off to bed, wishing each other a final "Merry Christmas.”

  * * *

  Brady pulled into the driveway at Dusty Dreams with a tired sigh. It had been a good Christmas celebration. Jessie had met his family and they had reacted just the way he thought they would. She was already one of the family. Now it was up to him to make sure that it stayed that way. He had to make sure that Jessie finally recognized how she felt about him. Losing her was not an option that he would accept.

  "Look, Indy, we're home! I had a great time with your family, Brady, but it's good to be home."

  "It's always good to get home," Brady said.

  "Everything looks good. I'm glad Red didn't run into any problems while we were gone."

  "Yeah, I'm going to check everything out, but I think we've found a good hand. He knows what he's doing, and he's a good worker."

  An hour later, everything was put away, the house was warm and cozy with a fire crackling in the woodstove, and Jessie offered to put together a simple lunch from the leftovers they had brought home while Brady went out to check on everything.

  Brady chuckled at her and said, "All right, it's a deal. But, you know, you're going to have to take over this kind of thing sooner or later. After all, you're going to be the boss around here."

  Jessie felt a twinge of anxiety at the thought. "Yeah, I guess I am. But not the day after Christmas. I've still got a lot to learn."

  He gave her a kiss. "Okay, baby, I guess you're right about that. You don't have to jump right in the day after Christmas. I'll be back in and hungry in a half hour or so."

  Jessie smiled, relieved, and said, "And I'll have a good lunch ready."

  Red had done a good job of taking care of the place while they were gone. All the stock was fed, plenty of water was readily available and not frozen over. The heat lamps were on in the chicken coop and the chickens were warm and "happy.” Brady chuckled to himself at the thought. Indy raced around with him, happy to be back home, and Brady read the note Red had left him with a final recap of that morning.

  When Brady and Indy got back to the house, stopping in the mudroom to brush the snow off the dog and wipe her feet and pulling off boots and coat, the house was warm and full of good smells. Brady paused in the doorway, watching Jessie bustle around the kitchen, and he knew that right there was everything he wanted in life. The ranch was going to make a good life and Jessie looked as happy as she could be in her own home. He vowed to himself again to find a way to make this life permanent.

  * * *

  The next couple of weeks were cold and snowy, which meant more work for Brady, Jessie, and Red. Jessie insisted on spending some time each day working with Brady outside. He wasn't sure her heart was in it, but she bundled up and resolutely went out to do it every day. One afternoon, Brady rode up beside her and saw her shivering uncontrollably.

  "Jessie! How long have you been cold?" Brady demanded.

  "I don't know; it's just really cold out here." Her teeth were chattering as she spoke.

  "God damn it, get your ass to the house! What the hell are you thinking?"

  Jessie protested, "We're not finished yet. I need to be able to do this."

  "You're not going to be good for anything if you're down with pneumonia or you get frostbite. I'm not saying it again. Get to the house."

  Jessie's eyes flashed, and she snapped, "Well, who the hell do you think you are? I'm not a child."

  "I'm the guy who gives a shit enough to look out for your ass when you don't. You're not using your head, and you're sure as hell acting like a child. Go. Now."

  She glared at him for a moment then wheeled her horse around and headed for the barn. Once she was in the house and out of her outdoor clothes, she realized just how cold she had gotten. Her hands and feet were like ice, and her teeth chattered as she pulled a stool close to the wood burner. Still, she fumed over Brady's highhanded treatment of her, ordering her around like he was the one in charge. It really pissed her off that in the back of her mind, she knew he was right. By th
e time he came back to the house, she had worked herself into a real fit of temper.

  Jessie sat silently by the fire while Brady got out of his boots, coat, gloves, and hat. He called her name once, but she didn't answer. Finally, he came in looking for her.

  "Didn't you hear me?" he asked.

  "Yes, I heard you. I was busy getting warm."

  Brady's eyebrows shot up and he thought, brat. "Just what is your problem here?" he asked.

  "I don't know what you're talking about." Jessie refused to look at him.

  "Oh, bullshit. I can't for the life of me figure out why you would get pissed over being told to get inside and get warm when you were clearly freezing your ass off. Why would you want to risk yourself that way?"

  Now she rolled her eyes at him. "Don't you think you're exaggerating a little? I wasn't "risking" myself; I was just cold."

  "Yeah? And what if you got that cold when we were a lot further from the house? Or what if you were out by yourself? Don't kid yourself, winter weather out here can be lethal. You've got to use your head."

  "Oh, come on, Brady. This isn't the Old West, it's modern times. With central heat and hot running water and electricity. Nobody's freezing to death working on a ranch in the winter time."

  "No, not if they're working smart and taking sensible precautions. But you get to a certain point in getting chilled out there and you can get hypothermia and, yes, people have frozen to death doing that kind of work. This is a ridiculous conversation."

  "Oh, fine, now I'm ridiculous! I am a grown woman, Brady. I can decide when it's time for me to go in. I don't need to be bossed around like a little kid. And you're not in charge of me."

  Brady advanced toward her with that look on his face. "Apparently, you can't make a sensible decision on when it's time for you to go in. And you're clearly in need of some bossing around right now. I will not stand for you to put yourself in danger. I've been clear about that, haven't I?"