“That’s impulsive,” Callie said when she could catch her breath.
“No, it’s necessary. That way you can drive me back down to Dallas to get my things when I move out of the funny farm. I’ll still drive in Burnt Boot and Gainesville and even Denton, but I will not fight the damn Dallas traffic.”
“What’s necessary?” Finn tossed a pair of black rubber boots with bright pink hearts on them into Callie’s lap. “They aren’t cowboy boots, so don’t hang me from the nearest scrub oak with a moldy old rope. They’ll keep your feet dry when you help me with morning chores.”
Hearts. They had hearts on them. That’s one of those subliminal messages for sure.
“Thank you,” she said. “I love them, Finn. I really do.”
“Good. Now where to next?”
“Verdie says we’re going across the street to the car dealership.” Callie hugged the boots to her chest.
“I’m buying a van. Don’t try to talk me out of it. I’ve got the money, and I want a red one. I don’t give a shit if it’s a Ford or a Cadillac as long as all my kids can ride comfortably in it and it’s an automatic shift. I’m too damn old to drive a stick,” she declared.
“Yes, ma’am,” Finn said.
Callie shot a look at him across the console.
He reached across and patted her on the cheek. “Like you said, darlin’. You can’t fight city hall.”
Verdie couldn’t find a red one, so she settled on a black one that had all the bells and whistles. While she completed the paperwork and Finn talked to one of the salesmen about a new truck he intended to buy before the end of the year, Callie wandered through the showroom.
“Can’t a woman go anywhere without running into you?” Betsy asked from the other side of a brand-new red truck.
“It’s a small world,” Callie said.
“Well, shit! What are you doing here?” Honey said.
“Lookin’ at vehicles,” Callie said.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Honey smarted off.
“Good,” Callie said and kept walking.
“Where’s Finn?” Honey asked.
“It’s not my day to watch him,” Callie threw over her shoulder.
Lord, love a freakin’ duck! The feud followed her around worse than Pistol.
Honey’s high-heeled boots made a clicking sound on the shiny tile floor when she spotted Finn outside. Not to be outdone, Betsy beat her to the door and was plastered up against Finn’s side before Honey could get to him.
Callie leaned against the fender of a brand-new Caddy and wished she could read lips. She’d had a dustup, as Verdie called it, with each of those bitches. It was Finn’s turn to put them in their place. He did a speedy good job, because in less than a minute, they were all up in each other’s faces. The poor salesman tried to talk sense to them right up until Honey blackened his eye and then grabbed Betsy by the hair.
Someone must have called Orville, because he showed up pretty quick, and between him and the salesman, they dragged the two women apart. Honey was screaming something about burning Wild Horse down, and Betsy wasn’t making any bones about what she intended to do to River Bend.
Verdie came out of the office with keys dangling from her hand and saw what was going on. “Where’s Finn?”
“He was out there, and then he left. I reckon he’s sitting in his truck waiting on us to plow through that bloody field,” Callie said.
“You reckon you ought to teach them all a survival course before they do something other than pullin’ hair and scratchin’?” Verdie laughed.
“How much you reckon they’d pay?” Callie hooked her arm through Verdie’s, and they went out a side door, leaving Orville with the mess.
***
Three boys and one little blond-haired girl brought home worried expressions on their faces that afternoon. They went straight to their rooms without stopping, put their backpacks away, and filed out with big eyes. Martin was the first one to the kitchen, where Finn was sitting at the table and Callie was busy pouring hot chocolate into cups.
“They were wrong, weren’t they, Callie?” His voice quivered and only his thick black lashes held the tears at bay. “They ain’t goin’ to let us keep the kids, are they? We done saw the van in the yard. Where are they, anyway?”
“That’s my new van.” Verdie brought a platter of homemade ginger cookies from the pantry. “I wanted a red one, but they said it would take four weeks to get it, and we needed it now, so I had to buy a black one.”
The whooping, slapping each other on the back, and high fives went on for a solid minute before Verdie stuck her fingers in her mouth and whistled. “Cookie and hot chocolate time and then chores, supper, and homework. Lord, I’d hate to see what you kids would do if you saw presents under the Christmas tree.”
They all whipped around at the same time. They stood like little concrete statues without even a whisper of breath escaping their lips. Presents were stacked behind the tree, on both sides as far as possible, and extended out into the living room by six feet.
Olivia was the first one to move; she ran to Verdie and hugged her tightly. “I can’t believe it, Granny.”
The boys followed her lead and Verdie shooed them back to the table. “It’s Christmas for God’s sake. That means presents. But Monday means chores. All y’all got a new pair of rubber boots lined up at the back door. You can thank Finn for buying them for you. I best not catch any of you outside in your shoes, getting your feet wet and catchin’ cold,” Verdie fussed.
***
Finn’s finger made lazy circles on Callie’s shoulder that night while the fire crackled as it burned down to embers in the fireplace not far from his bed. “They were a happy bunch of kids at the supper table, weren’t they?” he said.
“I think Verdie was even happier than they were.”
“How about you, Callie? Are you happy? Or have you just settled into this?”
She thought about the questions for a few seconds before she answered. “I’m happy and I haven’t just settled. It’s like running away from something, Finn. Only instead of running away, you’ve run in a big circle and just made your way back to where you belonged the whole time.” What she couldn’t say was that her heart was so entangled with his that she’d never run again. If she did, she’d have to do it with half a heart, and she didn’t think living like that was even possible.
“How about you, Finn? Are you happy? You’ve had a lot shoved at you in a short time.”
“I’m happier than I thought I could ever be, Callie. You put into words what I was thinking. I ran and ran and finally came right back to where I belong. Changing the subject now. Your hair is so silky,” he said.
“You are making me hot as hell touching my shoulder, not my hair,” she said.
“Oh, really? Well, darlin’, your hair is brushing against my cheek and making me just as hot,” he told her.
She propped up on an elbow and bent to kiss him, her hair making a veil over their faces. His hands found their way under her nightshirt and massaged her back.
“I can’t think when you do that,” she whispered.
“Good, because I can’t think when you are anywhere near me. But before we go another minute, I do need to ask you something. Do you have something to wear to a ranch party?”
“Why? Are we throwing one?”
“No, going to one. Quaid Brennan called while I was out there with the kids. We’re invited to the River Bend Christmas party next Friday night. I said we’d be there, and now I wish I hadn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because of all the cowboys who will be trying to steal you away from me.” He slipped her nightshirt up over her head.
“Are you asking me out on a date, Finn?” she panted.
“I guess I am at that. Pick you up at six?”
“I’ll be ready,” she said. “Is it polite to kill Honey at her own party?” She slid her hand down into his lounging pants. A quick intake of breath told her th
at he was just as hot as she was.
“Ahhh, darlin’, the women won’t even glance my way.”
She squeezed. “If they do, they’ll learn that I’m a damn good shot.”
Chapter 22
Olivia held a hand over her heart, her big blue eyes sparkling as she gazed at Callie. “You look just like a princess.”
“Thank you,” Callie said. She only hoped that Finn thought the same thing if and when he ever came out of his bedroom. She and Verdie had driven the new van down to Denton the day before, and she’d bought a gorgeous red velvet dress that hugged her body and was slit up to her thigh on the right side. It came with a matching jacket, so she didn’t have to buy a fancy coat that she’d probably never wear again. But she did have to buy shoes, so she’d opted for the matching red velvet pumps.
She’d spent extra time on her makeup and twisted her hair up into a crown of curls held with a rhinestone clasp that came with the bracelet on her arm. Now she waited, worrying her fool head off that she’d overdressed for the occasion. If she had, it was Verdie’s fault. She’d told her that River Bend and Wild Horse competed to see who could put on the fanciest Christmas party, so she should buy something flamboyant for each party.
“Don’t you think she’s gorgeous?” Olivia asked Martin when he and the boys came out of their room.
“I like her better in jeans and a flannel shirt,” Martin said.
“I like her better in that,” Ricky whispered.
“Adam?” Verdie said from the kitchen.
“I just like Callie no matter what she’s wearing. Matter of fact, I love Callie almost as much as I love you, Granny,” he answered.
***
Finn had been to dozens and dozens of Christmas parties. His family had one every year since before he was even born in Comfort for all the hired hands, their spouses, the neighbors, and business associates. He was no stranger to how to dress for one, how to behave at one, or what to expect. So why in the hell did he feel like a sophomore taking the prettiest girl in class out on a first date? Why couldn’t he get up out of the rocking chair and get his cowboy butt out there in the living room where she was waiting?
He’d heard her bedroom door close ten minutes ago. They’d been to bed together, they’d had steaming hot sex, not to mention the fact he couldn’t keep his hands off her no matter where they were. So why was he still sitting there?
Shotgun went to the door and whined.
“It’s time, isn’t it, old boy?”
The dog ambled down the hallway and stopped at the archway into the living room, his tail thumping against the floor. Finn could hardly breathe, his chest was so tight. Was that his Callie? The woman he’d flat-out fallen in love with?
Love!
Did he just think that word? He’d never imagined that he could love anyone after Lala had let him think she was dead and then betrayed him even further when he found out she was a spy. How did a full-grown man know he was in love in just two weeks? It didn’t make a bit of sense, but he didn’t want to ever imagine not having her in his life.
She turned around and their eyes locked somewhere near the Christmas tree. Everything about her was purely exquisite. There were no words, no compliments in the human language to describe her in that red dress with all that dark hair piled up on her head. Her lips were the same color as the dress, and thinking about kissing her until all the lipstick was gone sent him into semi-arousal.
“Well, don’t you look sharp for a rough old cowboy?” she said.
“I’m a wilted dead onion plant compared to a perfect spring rose when I stand next to you. I won’t stand a chance of keeping you on Salt Draw after tonight. The cowboys will be lined up from here to Gainesville just to kiss your hand,” he said.
She crossed the room and handed him her jacket. “That’s the craziest line I’ve ever heard.”
“I didn’t buy you a corsage, but Verdie told me what color you were wearing.” He pulled a long thin box from behind his back and held it out.
“This feels like a scene from Pretty Woman.” She smiled up at him.
“That was just a movie. This is the real thing and, darlin’, you are a hell of a lot prettier than any actress on the big screen,” he said.
“And she smells better, too, huh?” Ricky said.
“What is it in the box?” Olivia asked. “This is like Cinderella. When I grow up and get invited to a ranch party, can I wear your dress, Callie?”
“That box ain’t big enough to have a shoe in it,” Ricky said.
“Are you going to open it?” Finn asked.
***
Callie’s hands shook as she reached out to touch the deep red velvet box. “You won’t snap it shut and scare me, will you?”
“Why would he do that?” Martin asked.
Finn leaned forward just slightly and kissed Callie softly.
Olivia sighed, and all three boys shut their eyes.
Callie gently opened the box and gasped. “Oh, Finn, it’s beautiful.”
A dark red ruby dangled from the top of an open gold heart pendant surrounded by sparkling tiny diamonds.
“I figured it would be easier to put on than a corsage.” He smiled.
She lifted it from the bed of red velvet and handed it to him. “A little help, please.”
She couldn’t cry. It would ruin her makeup, and he’d think she didn’t like his present, but it took every bit of her willpower to keep the tears at bay. No one had ever given her anything like that. She only hoped that it was symbolic of him giving his heart as well.
“Well, now, that just flat-out sets off the whole outfit. Y’all get on out of here so me and these kids can make microwave popcorn and watch movies. We’ve got them all picked out, and we’re staying up until midnight. If y’all get in after that, come in real quiet so you don’t wake us up,” Verdie said.
“Yes, ma’am.” Finn helped Callie into her jacket.
“Good-night kisses.” She bent down in front of Martin.
“I want one, and I want you to leave a lipstick kiss on my forehead. I’m not going to wash it off, so it will make me have dreams of princes and castles,” Olivia said.
She gave them all a kiss and looped her arm into Finn’s. When they reached the porch, he scooped her up and carried her through the new-fallen snow to his truck, settled her into the passenger’s seat, and let his lips softly graze hers before he slammed the door shut.
“Oh, look how pretty the lights around the house are, and how the tree looks in the window. It’s like a storybook,” she said as they drove down the lane.
“Sometimes that scares me,” Finn admitted.
“Storybooks?”
“No, that everything is going so well. I keep waiting for the other boot to drop or for something to fall apart. I even worry that someday you and I will get into a great big fight and you’ll leave me. I don’t think I could stand it,” he said.
She laid a hand on his thigh. “This would seem too fast if we hadn’t known each other so well before now. I’m not going anywhere, not until you give me a pink slip.”
“That ain’t damn likely.” He grinned.
“Looks like this is our turnoff,” she said. “Oh, my sweet Lord, look at all those lights. I thought we had enough to blow the electric company, but they’re nothing compared to this.”
“Verdie says that River Bend and Wild Horse compete with each other for the biggest and best in everything. Wonder what next week’s will look like? I got a call from Tyrell Gallagher inviting us, but you were in your room getting dressed, and then I was so stunned that I forgot until now,” he said.
“Does that mean you’re askin’ me out again before you even see if you get lucky tonight?” she teased.
“I’m already lucky. I get to walk into that place with you on my arm,” he said.
“Now that, darlin’, is a lovely pickup line.” She giggled.
He pulled the truck under a covered portico, and two valets appeared from just inside the
door. His door and Callie’s opened at the same time. He handed his keys to the young man and hurried around the truck to Callie’s side.
Tucking her arm into his, he whispered, “Dammit! I was hoping we’d have to park out in the pasture, so I could carry you inside. That would show those cowboys that you are mine.”
“I already feel like a princess with you escorting me. And it ain’t the cowboys I’m worried about. It’s Honey and Betsy trying to seduce you that scares me.”
Declan Brennan met them at the door and shook hands with Finn. “Merry Christmas, and welcome to River Bend. Please go right on in and visit until we’re ready to sit down to dinner. Afterward there will be dancing, and may I say, Miss Callie, that you look absolutely ravishing tonight? Save me a dance or two or a dozen.” He bent at the waist and kissed her hand.
“Thank you, and I will save you a dance,” she said.
“I’d planned to monopolize your time and dance every dance with you,” Finn said.
“We have to play nice with the host, Finn. While I’m dancing with Declan, you should dance with Leah Brennan, but if I catch you with Honey, know that your luck has run out.”
As if on cue, Leah Brennan crossed the room and picked up both of Callie’s hands. “Thank you so much for coming, and thank you for what you are doing for the O’Malley kids. That is so sweet of you. I’ve had them in my Sunday school class since they moved here.”
“It’s a two-way street. They make us happy, too,” Callie said.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you to the ladies.” She grabbed a tall, blond-haired, green-eyed cowboy and said, “Finn, this is Quaid. Quaid, Finn. Don’t know if you’ve met before, but you have now. Quaid, honey, take charge of Finn and make him known to all the menfolk. Go talk cows and hay and bad weather while I steal Callie away for a while.”
Callie was introduced to half a dozen women all with the last name of Brennan. She spotted Honey across the room, sidled up to a fellow in a three-piece suit, a hundred-dollar haircut, and a flashy ring on his finger that looked like a sports ring from where Callie stood.
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